The Coeliac Australia Awareness Campaign starts today. This year we are shining a light on Coeliac disease in children. It is estimated that around 1 in 70 Australian children have Coeliac disease however around 80% remain undiagnosed. Here is everything you know to know about Coeliac disease.   What is coeliac disease? Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten causing damage to the small intestine. Small finger like projections known as villi which line the small intestine become inflamed and flattened impacting nutrient a ..read more

  Do you suspect your little one has a food allergy and want to know more about food allergy testing? Here is everything you need to know. Before we get into food allergy tests it is helpful to be aware of the different types of food allergies. Food allergies can be classified as either Immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated, non-IgE mediated or mixed IgE and non-IgE mediated. In IgE mediated food allergies the immune system reacts abnormally to the food allergen producing IgE antibodies that can result in an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions usually occur rapidly within minutes up to 2 hou ..read more

  In today’s society we are bombarded with so many messages on what to eat, how to lose weight and unrealistic images of what we should look like. Unfortunately children are not immune to these messages and in a worrying trend it is now not uncommon to hear young children talk negatively about their bodies. In fact recent research suggests that more than half of primary school aged children want to lose weight. This unhealthy relationship with food and their bodies puts them at an increased risk of becoming overweight and developing eating disorders in the future. So with all this in min ..read more

  Is your child struggling with constipation? If yes, it often can be very distressing for both your child and yourself. However what we do know is that constipation is very common affecting up to 30% of children and often arising around the time of transitioning to solids, toilet training and school entry (1,2). In children it is estimated that 95% of cases of constipation are functional, that is there is no medical cause (3). However it should be noted that constipation presenting before 6 months of age, and particularly before 3 months of age does have a higher chance of being related ..read more

We all want our kids to start the day off right with a nutritious breakfast. We know breakfast is so important for kids as it helps to give them the energy they need to get them through the day and also supports their behaviour and learning. However for many parents it can be a struggle knowing what to provide and finding an option that their kids will actually eat. Ideally a healthy breakfast should contain a mix of low GI carbohydrates (e.g. wholegrain cereal/toast, fruit, milk or yoghurt) and protein (e.g. dairy, eggs, baked beans, nuts/seeds or nut paste) to help keep their energy levels ..read more

  Whilst the Christmas festive season is often full of joy and celebrations with families and friends it can be a very stressful and challenging time if your child has food allergies. To help you head into the festive season feeling more confident and prepared I have put together some of my favourite tips for how you can keep your child safe this festive season. Speak to the host in advance if you have been invited to celebrations at family or friend’s homes. Advise them of your child’s food allergies and offer to bring foods which your child can eat. If they refuse your offer still bri ..read more

  Whether you are commencing the low FODMAP diet for your child or yourself it can be extremely overwhelming getting started. Often it can seem like all the foods your child or you or your child enjoy eating are suddenly off limits. For parents in particular it can be even more difficult if your child is a fussy eater. However with the right support and resources it can help remove the stress and overwhelm of getting started. Below are some tips to help get you started.   1. Ensure the low FODMAP diet is suitable for you or your child The first step before starting the low FODMAP di ..read more

  Has your child recently been diagnosed with Coeliac disease? Not only is it a very emotional time for both you and your child as you come to terms with the diagnosis, it can be extremely overwhelming knowing where to begin. To help you feel more confident managing your child’s new diagnosis of coeliac disease I have put together some tips on getting started on a gluten free diet.   Focus on naturally gluten free foods The first step is knowing what foods are naturally gluten free. Focus on planning your child’s meals and snacks around naturally gluten free foods such as fresh frui ..read more

  Getting your kids in the kitchen helping with meal preparation and cooking is fantastic for raising more adventurous eaters. By becoming more familiar with new foods in a fun, no pressure to eat environment it can help increase their acceptance and willingness to try new foods. It is also great for helping develop your child’s fine motor skills, hand eye coordination and learning math, language and science skills. If you are looking for some child friendly cooking inspiration I would recommend trying these recipes. I particularly love the pizzas for helping to increase vegetable exposu ..read more

  One of the most common concerns for parents with toddlers and young children is fussy eating. Whilst fussy eating is a normal part of child development it can be extremely stressful to manage and can leave you feeling worried that your child is not getting the nutrition they need to grow and be healthy. To help get your child started on a path to more adventurous eating I have shared with you some of my favourite tips.   1. Enjoy meals together as a family Eating together as a family is all about social interaction and helping your child learn about food and eating through positiv ..read more