So since Alex is almost nine months old (where did the time go..really I would like to know) we have certainly been down the path of commercially prepared baby food. And thank God for Gerber and Beech-Nut because without them it would probably have been a rough start if I had to make her food for her in those early solids days, but now I am about at my wits end with the lovely people who make baby food. I know that food allergies are pretty common stuff.....we have a good chunk of them on both my side and Greg's side of the family. We both have family members with severe Celiac's, also a few lactose intolerants, and Greg's dad can't do strawberries or nuts, so this is not entirely a new route for us. This particular food though sure is, and from what I can find....which is not a whole lot, it is not very common. First let me offer you a brief education on food allergies. There are 2 types of reactions, the anaphylactic kind (hives, swelling, trouble breathing) and then there are the GI type reactions (bloating, heartburn, diarrhea) I think most people percieve the anaphylactic reaction to be more severe, but I am here to tell you that either way is nothing but trouble. So back to my poor kid....we have always been careful with nuts and berries because of Dennis, but this one hit me out of the blue. I was not even aware that a person could be allergic to carrots and squash. But Alex sure has shown us the she is. And boy do I feel like crap, for some 6 months I thought the poor kid had a wicked case of reflux. Oops, Mother of the Year! So okay, now that I have figured it out, and also how to treat her when she does get a tasty morsel of orange, I am about to scream at the poor baby food companies, and anyone who lists natural coloring on their labels. First, if you have never read a baby food label for stage 2 or higher jsut know this.....there are very few that do not contain carrots in the savory dishes. Even some companies mac and cheese dishes have carrots in them. It pretty much sucks. Carrots are a great filler food. They are also handy to use as coloring in, oh about anything orange, red or purple (yes, there are purple carrots) especially when a company is trying not to use anything artifical in their products. So here is my new challange...to prepare food for the WHOLE family that everyone likes and can be eaten by all. Seriously, I would possibly have better luck with world peace at this point. I used to sneak a can of V8 into anything possible..chili, spaghetti sauce, stews, whatever, not anymore. I also am really nervous to buy commercially prepared sauces, like marinara or the like. Most types of vegtable soups are out, oh and watch out for fruit snacks. I have to be super careful with the words "natural coloring". It is a good thing I like to cook. Because I have a feeling we are going to be eating in ALOT. So, off I go to figure out what my daughter can eat for dinner tomorrow. Beech-nut has a new salmon and sweet potato flavor out.....I am not sure I can stomach feeding it to her. The one nice thing is that both baby food companies have been more than happy to talk to me and see what they can do to help. So I say thanks for the awesome customer service lines. It was so great to have someone at the company to talk to...a real human voice.
