Meal Plan for Allergen Free Eating while Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding a baby with allergies

Food allergies among children have been on the rise over the last few decades and it is estimated that now between 5 and 8% of children under 5 years have a food allergy.^{9, 10} While some studies indicate that exclusive breastfeeding may moderate an infant’s risk of developing allergies, some breastfed babies may still be diagnosed with a food allergy.^{11, 12}

The good news is that as long as the allergen(s) can be taken out of the diet, most people do not have to stop breastfeeding if their baby develops a food allergy.^{2, 3, 4}

Keep reading to learn how to cut the top allergens out of your eating pattern if your little one has been diagnosed with a food allergy.

Do I have to cut out all food allergens if I’m breastfeeding?

Unless your infant is diagnosed with a food allergy, research indicates there’s no reason to avoid certain foods.⁵ In fact, a wide variety of foods should be consumed to help continue building your child’s food preferences for the future.

Read about: Picky Eating: Taste Imprinting during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Understand where food allergens may be found

The primary goal is to be your own detective, read labels, and make inquiries at restaurants or other events involving food. Allergens can be hidden in coatings, thickeners, spices, natural flavors, and other ingredients found in fresh, frozen, refrigerated, and shelf-stable foods.⁶

If you are ever in doubt, ask! Calling food manufacturers can give you great insight into a product’s allergen information.

Preparing meals and snacks at home can help you maintain control over food sources and help prevent cross-contamination and cross-contact.

Top 9 allergens on food labels

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all manufactures to label foods with the top 8 allergens: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame.^{7, 8}

This FDA regulation applies to all packaged foods sold in the United States after 2006, regardless of where the food was originally manufactured.⁷

The regulation does NOT apply to labels on meat, poultry, and certain egg products.⁷

Pro Tip:

This meal plan takes out the top 9 allergens and is created for women who are truly allergic, or who are breastfeeding and need to undergo an elimination diet to determine what foods their infant may have an intolerance or allergy to.

Taking these foods out during pregnancy or breastfeeding, if not warranted, may actually be detrimental to your overall nutrient intake.⁵ Be sure to always get the support of a registered dietitian nutritionist if you will be eliminating all allergens to ensure your diet still has all the necessary nutrients.

If you are breastfeeding and your infant is showing symptoms of allergy or intolerance, and you have discussed the issue with your and/or your infant’s healthcare provider, this meal plan may be used to help eliminate the major allergens.

Allergen Free Meal Plan during Breastfeeding

This diet can be tricky. Make sure to work closely with your health care provider as they know what is best for you and your baby. To determine which foods were not tolerated by your baby, your health care provider may have you add these foods back into your diet one at a time after they have been eliminated for 2-4 weeks, or until your infant stops having symptoms.

Choosing meals and snacks from the below listed options will help eliminate the top 8 major allergens (dairy, soy, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, and sesame) while helping you maintain an adequate nutrient intake.

Breakfast

• Option 1 : Gluten free oatmeal made with water, banana, and sunflower seed butter
• Option 2 : Plant-based yogurt alternative, berries, and chia seeds
• Option 3 : Smoothie: Banana, berries, baby spinach, unsweetened plant-based milk alternative, ground flax seeds, and hemp seeds
• Option 4 : Millet made with water and apple juice, mixed with unsweetened coconut flakes, dried fruit, pumpkin seeds
• Option 5 : Gluten-free vegan pancakes with sliced banana, sunflower seeds, and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Lunch

• Option 1 : Massaged kale salad with shredded carrots, garbanzo beans, and brown rice
• Option 2 : Shredded chicken mixed with olive oil, chopped veggies of choice, salt and pepper; Wrapped up in corn tortillas with a hummus spread and a spinach salad on the side
• Option 3 : Salad with colorful vegetables, sunflower seeds, grilled chicken, olive oil and balsamic vinegar
• Option 4 : Spiced black beans and quinoa in bell pepper cups
• Option 5 : Gluten free pasta tossed with olive-oil roasted veggies (such as tomatoes, yellow squash, and bell pepper) and chicken

Dinner

• Option 1 : Grilled chicken, broccoli, seasoned potato salad made with olive oil
• Option 2 : Roasted sweet potato topped with seasoned black beans, cilantro, and avocado
• Option 3 : Corn tortillas, seasoned ground beef or ground turkey, corn and tomato salad, and asparagus
• Option 4 : Stir fry chicken and vegetables with quinoa.
• Option 5 : Spaghetti Squash topped with pasta sauce made with ground chicken

Snacks

• Option 1 : Corn chips with black-bean salsa
• Option 2 : Bell pepper or other veggies with hummus
• Option 3 : Pumpkin or sunflower seeds and dried fruit
• Option 4 : Apple or pear with sunflower seed butter
• Option 5 : Gluten-free high-fiber cereal, unsweetened plant-based milk alternative, berries

Let's Chat!

We know parenting often means sleepless nights, stressful days, and countless questions and confusion, and we want to support you in your feeding journey and beyond.

Our Happy Experts are a team of lactation consultants and registered dietitian nutritionists certified in infant and maternal nutrition – and they’re all moms, too! They’re here to offer personalized support on our free, one-on-one, live chat platform Monday - Friday 8am-6pm (ET). No appointment needed, no email or sign-up required. Chat Now!

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Our meal plans offer recipe and meal suggestions. They are not designed to replace your doctor’s recommendations, nor do they take into account special nutritional needs, except in this case for the removal of the top 8 allergens. The meal plans suggest serving sizes that may or may not be appropriate for you. Please consult your doctor to determine what is best for you and your child.