Gina Rau

Gina Rau is a parent who has always loved and enjoyed good food. From growing up in a family where she baked with her mother and learned her grandmother's favorite recipes at a young age, to traveling to Florence, Italy for cooking school, food has always been an important part of her life. When her first child was born, he was fed a healthy diet of organic fruits and vegetables, and most always real food.

When life through a curve ball as food sensitivities entered their lives, Gina sought out the best partners, resources and educational materials to help her child. What she learned in the process was that many children who appear to have ADHD like symptoms (lack of focus, poor sleep, hyperactivity) tend to be sensitive to artificial food ingredients such as food dyes and preservatives.

After struggling to plan meals and find recipes that fit her doctor's prescribed food elimination diet (which was no easy task for kid-friendly recipes) she decided that no parent should have to work this hard to identify if food sensitivities are negatively impacting their child. She started the blog, Feed Our Families, in 2010 to help parents make healthy meals happen with busy schedules and published this guidebook to walk parents through the food challenge process in 2013.

Disclosure: Consult with your doctor before modifying your child’s diet to treat any medical condition. A food allergy can lead to serious complications that could be life-threatening. This is an illustration of my family’s experience with conducting a food challenge, in partnership with our doctor, and not a medical recommendation. I am not a doctor or trained medical or nutritional professional, and I cannot provide medical or nutrition advice. If you suspect true food allergies or other health conditions, I recommend you work with your physician or an allergist. Only a doctor can truly advise what is best for you or your child. I am not liable, either expressly or in an implied manner, nor claim any responsibility for any physical, emotional or health problems that may occur directly or indirectly from reading this book.