Table 1.

Suggestions for working with a food allergic, vegan patient and their family

Suggestion	Reference
Caution parents of the need for professional dietary monitoring and potential need for supplementation to meet the needs of a growing child	[9]
Careful attention must be given to the amount and quality of dietary protein, particularly as many plant-based protein rich foods are common allergens	[3, 5, 38, 114, 116]
Counsel families that portion sizes needed to achieve recommended/appropriate levels of energy and nutrients through a plant-based diet are greater than a traditional diet	[3, 5, 38, 114, 116].
Caution is warranted with pre-packed snacks with precautionary allergen labelling	[122]
Food labels must be read every time a food is purchased, to reduce the risk of accidental ingestions and reactions	[139]
‘May contain’ labels to alert consumers to possible traces of allergens in a food product, although the amount of allergens in a given food varies widely, resulting in a need for consumer vigilance	[140]
Encourage cautious re-introduction of a food if a child outgrows an allergy	[141–143]
Encourage a diverse diet, as restrictive diets and selective eating may contribute to nutritional deficiencies	[127, 144–146]
Discuss any new food and environmental allergies, as cross-reactivity can occur	[147–149]
Educate families that some allergies can be influenced by season and climate	[150]