Why Might Seemingly "Healthy" or "Gut-friendly" Foods Negatively Impact Children With a History of Food Allergies?

Why might seemingly "healthy" or "gut-friendly" foods negatively impact children with a history of food allergies?

Many nutrient-dense foods are naturally high in histamine or trigger its release, contributing to a "histamine cup" that can exacerbate feeding aversions and physical discomfort. This list includes common fruits like avocados and strawberries, vegetables such as spinach and eggplant, and even fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut, which are typically praised for gut health. Furthermore, histamine levels increase in leftover foods over time unless they are frozen, which can lead to significant taste differences and aversions for sensitive children. Understanding these complexities allows therapists to help families develop a list of "safe" foods that avoid high-histamine triggers and better support a child’s oral-motor and psychosocial feeding goals.

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Feeding Interventions With Allergy Considerations, presented by Kristen Tompkins, OTR/L.