Trick or Treat?

For children with an inborn error of  metabolism, Halloween celebrations can be tough since protein-containing candy and snacks tend to be the classic party staples. Additionally, these celebrations can be scary on parents as they want their children to fully enjoy in the festivities while maintaining their dietary restrictions.

Here are a few tips, resources, and recipes to help make Halloween fun while staying on a diet low in intact protein:

First:

• Speak with teachers or other parents about what your child can and cannot have at Halloween parties or school

• Also talk with your child about the importance of staying on diet and remind them to check with you to determine if a particular food or candy is

Now to the Fun Stuff:

• Get creative with Halloween Have non-food treats to hand out at home or at school. Think dollar store toys, stickers, party favors, and coloring books.

• Plan an alternative activity to trick-or-treating, such as Halloween slumber party, game night, craft party, or a scavenger

• Supply low-protein treats for your child’s Halloween parties and festivities so he/she has something to enjoy and doesn’t feel left out – View Halloween Cupcake Recipe

• Consider having a “swap-party” where your child can swap candies he/she cannot have for “allowed” This way everyone gets what they want!

• Make your child’s metabolic formula festive! Serve it in a Halloween- themed cup, use fun straws, or add some orange food

Post Your Formula ‘Dressed-Up’ for Halloween and TAG Nutricia! 

#NutriciaMetabolicNutrition      

Halloween Low Protein Cupcakes

Makes 10 cupcakes

Ingredients

• 88 g (3/4 cup ) Loprofin Baking Mix
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon egg replacer
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 5 ounces of water
• 1/4 cup margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 drops orange food coloring
• 1/2 cup white frosting
• 20 candy corns

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
2. Cream together margarine and sugar until light and fluffy
3. Add Loprofin Baking Mix, egg replacer, and baking powder into the creamed mixture and mix well
4. Add water, vanilla extract and orange food coloring gradually, mix until smooth
5. Spoon batter into paper cups filling each cup about 2/3 full and bake for approximately 10-15 minutes
6. Let cool on a baking rack
7. Decorate with frosting and candy corn

Note:  Any additional frosting or decorations may add additional protein, phenylalanine, leucine or calories, be sure to read labels and account for any topping or decorations.

All Nutricia products shown are for the dietary management  of inborn errors of metabolism and must be used under  medical supervision. Please consult your metabolic healthcare professionals prior to making any changes to your diet.

My child would eat pasta every day, every meal if I let him. It is great he found a food he enjoys, but I want my son to eat more vegetables and other healthy foods that provide fiber and other nutrients.

Here are some ideas to feed your child’s low protein pasta cravings, but to make your low protein pasta last longer and provide more dietary variety.

Soup 

Dicing carrots and celery (the smaller the better for young kids) and simmering in a vegetable broth with low protein pasta added is a low pro and filling lunch or dinner.   You can use Loprofin Animal Pasta, Rice, or broken Spaghetti to keep it new and exciting.   Fresh dill adds a great ‘soup’ flavor and expand your child’s taste  palate.

Veggie Noodles 

Bulk up your Low Protein Spaghetti by mixing with Zucchini or Yellow Squash noodles. With a spiral vegetable slicer this only takes minutes and can really satisfy a bigger appetite.

 Spicy Vegetables over Low Pro Rice Pasta

You can do so many different meals with fresh or frozen cauliflower and carrots, which are both naturally quite low in protein. Often, people on a low protein diet enjoy spice. Check out this recipe for Indian Curry with Loprofin Rice.

 Dish it out slow 

I often serve my son a small amount of pasta, which he gobbles up. Then ask him to eat 3-4 bites of the vegetables on his plate. Once done I serve another small portion of pasta and repeat. All children are motivated differently, but that love of pasta usually is an incentive to eat more veggies at meal time.

 Roll it up 

Kids love to eat with their hands (or at least my son does). Use Loprofin Lasagna to make a salad roll-up or other roll-up filled with veggies. Try filling a pasta roll-up with a blend of mashed potato and mashed cauliflower for a yummy kid friendly dinner entree.

Order Loprofin Low Protein Pasta online at medicalfood.com

Written by Sandy Simons, MA, RD, CHES