Food Allergies & Intolerances
Helping your child eat safely, confidently and enjoy a varied diet
Has your child reacted to a food? Are you struggling to know what they can safely eat?
Or perhaps you've been told to avoid certain foods and are worried about whether they're getting the nutrients they need.
Food allergies and food intolerances can feel overwhelming. From checking food labels and navigating nursery or school meals to introducing allergens or managing elimination diets, many parents worry about making the wrong decision.
At Beam Dietitians, we're here to make things clearer.
As specialist paediatric dietitians working within the UK's largest children's hospital, we support babies and children with a wide range of food allergies and intolerances. Our goal is to help your child receive all the nutrition they need while keeping food enjoyable, varied and safe.
Whether your child has recently been diagnosed, you're waiting for investigations or you're unsure whether food is contributing to their symptoms, we're here to support your family every step of the way.
Food allergy or food intolerance – what's the difference?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, food allergies and food intolerances are different conditions.
Food allergy
A food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly reacts to a food protein.
Reactions may be:
Immediate (IgE-mediated) – symptoms usually occur within minutes to two hours.
Delayed (Non-IgE-mediated) – symptoms often develop several hours or days after eating the food.
Food allergies require assessment by an appropriate healthcare professional, and some children may require allergy testing depending on their symptoms.
Food intolerance
Food intolerances do not involve the immune system.
Instead, symptoms are often related to difficulties digesting certain foods or sensitivities to naturally occurring food components.
Food intolerances may cause digestive symptoms but do not cause an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis.
Understanding the difference is important, as the management of each condition is very different.
Common food allergies in children
We regularly support families managing allergies to:
Cow's milk
Egg
Peanut
Tree nuts
Wheat
Soya
Sesame
Fish
Shellfish
Some children are allergic to just one food, while others need support managing multiple food allergies.
Common symptoms of food allergy
Symptoms vary depending on the type of allergy but may include:
Immediate reactions
Hives
Swelling of the lips, face or eyes
Vomiting
Coughing
Wheezing
Difficulty breathing
Sudden drowsiness
Anaphylaxis
Delayed reactions
Reflux
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Blood or mucus in stools
Eczema
Abdominal discomfort
Poor weight gain
Feeding difficulties
Many of these symptoms can also occur with other childhood conditions, so assessment by an experienced healthcare professional is essential.
Common food intolerances
Food intolerances are less common in young children than many people realise.
Examples include:
Lactose intolerance
Some sensitivities to high-fructose foods
Reactions to certain food additives (less common)
Because symptoms often overlap with gastrointestinal conditions, it's important not to remove foods unnecessarily without appropriate assessment.
Restrictive diets can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies, particularly in growing children.
Why seeing a paediatric dietitian is important
Removing foods from a child's diet may seem straightforward, but it can have a significant impact on nutrition if not carefully planned.
Our role is to ensure your child continues to receive all the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.
We help families:
Understand their child's diagnosis
Plan nutritionally balanced diets
Replace key nutrients safely
Monitor growth
Read food labels confidently
Choose suitable alternatives
Support nursery and school meal planning
Introduce solids safely alongside allergies
Manage multiple food allergies
Support food reintroduction where appropriate
Our advice is always personalised and evidence-based.
Food challenges and reintroductions
Many children outgrow certain food allergies during childhood.
When appropriate, your healthcare team may recommend carefully reintroducing foods.
This may involve:
A milk ladder
An egg ladder
Home food reintroduction
Hospital-supervised food challenges (where indicated)
We can support families through appropriate food reintroduction, helping you understand when your child may be ready and guiding you through each stage safely.
Introducing allergens during weaning
One of the biggest concerns for new parents is introducing allergenic foods.
Current guidance recommends introducing common allergens from around 6 months of age, alongside other complementary foods, unless there is a medical reason to delay.
If your baby has eczema, an existing food allergy or a strong family history of allergy, you may benefit from personalised advice before introducing certain foods.
We can help you feel confident introducing allergens safely while supporting your baby's nutritional needs.
What to expect during your appointment
We'll carry out a detailed nutritional assessment, including:
Medical history
Allergy history
Current symptoms
Growth
Current diet
Feeding history
Nutritional intake
Family history
Previous investigations
Your concerns and goals
Following your assessment, you'll receive practical, personalised advice tailored specifically to your child and family.
Where appropriate, we'll also work alongside your GP, paediatrician or allergy team.
Why choose Beam Dietitians?
Supporting children with food allergies is one of the core areas of our NHS specialist practice.
Our team currently works within the UK's largest children's hospital, helping babies and children manage food allergies, gastrointestinal conditions and complex nutritional needs every day.
Families choose Beam because we provide:
Specialist paediatric allergy expertise
Extensive NHS experience
Evidence-based advice
Practical support that fits everyday family life
Compassionate, personalised care
Online consultations available across the UK
We understand that allergies affect far more than what's on your child's plate—they can influence confidence, social occasions and everyday family life. Our aim is to help you feel informed, supported and confident in managing your child's allergy safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a paediatric dietitian diagnose a food allergy?
No. Food allergies are diagnosed by an appropriate healthcare professional using your child's clinical history and, where appropriate, allergy testing or elimination and reintroduction. Our role is to support nutritional management and ensure your child's diet remains balanced.
Should I stop giving my child foods that I think are causing symptoms?
It's best not to remove foods without professional advice unless you've been advised to do so following an allergic reaction. Unnecessary dietary restrictions can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies and may make diagnosis more difficult.
How can I make sure my child gets enough nutrients without dairy or other foods?
We'll assess your child's diet and provide personalised advice to ensure they continue to receive enough calcium, protein, iodine, iron and other essential nutrients.
Will my child outgrow their food allergy?
Many children outgrow allergies such as cow's milk and egg, although this varies depending on the child and the specific allergy. Your healthcare team will advise when reintroduction may be appropriate.
Can you help with nursery or school?
Yes. We regularly support families with practical advice for nurseries, schools, childminders and social situations, helping everyone feel confident managing your child's dietary needs safely.
Helping your child enjoy food with confidence
Managing food allergies or intolerances doesn't have to mean restrictive, stressful mealtimes.
At Beam Dietitians, we'll help you understand your child's nutritional needs, build a safe and balanced diet, and give you the confidence to navigate everyday life with food allergies.
Whether you're introducing allergens for the first time or managing multiple food allergies, we're here to support you and your family.
Book an appointment today and let us help your child thrive while eating safely and confidently.
