Avoiding Allergens

Filed in archive Health on March 6, 2007

I love mangoes, preferably the sweet ones from the tropics. Unfortunately, after re-counting what I recently ate, mangoes were identified by my 6-month old son's pediatrician as a possible cause of my son's allergies. And since I am breastfeeding, I have to say temporary goodbye to mangoes.

It's no mean feat since... I love mangoes (did I say that already?) and I only visit the tropics once a year.

I would like to continue to give my son the highly protective benefits of breastfeeding. But apparently "maternally consumed food proteins do pass into breast milk, and can cause initial sensitization, continued sensitization, and in extreme cases, even anaphylactic shock."

So, I guess I would have to eliminate allergens (including my prized mangoes) from my diet.

Should you have the same concern and have other questions regarding allergies, do check out Allergizer by Ruth Schaffer.