A Quinoa Company with a Cause
As you know, Kate’s diet is quite limited. Well over her 1 year of age, she was on breast milk and a handful of fruits. We had introduced corn (in the form of Kix cereal) a few months ago but wanted something full of nutrition.
Researching and using the experiences of other FPIES Moms, I decided that our next venture would be with the use of Quinoa.
The Benefits of Quinoa (as taken from La Yapa Organic website):
Quinoa is a power-packed grain that contains an exceptional balance of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Quinoa is the gluten-free “grain” that once fueled the Inca empire. The Incas recognized that Quinoa improved their health and stamina and regarded it as a sacred food. Today, nutritionists consider it one of the best “superfood” in the world.
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is generally referred to as a grain, but is, in fact, the seed of a plant that is a relative of leafy green vegetables such as beets, chard, and spinach. Like its relatives, quinoa is a good source of dietary fiber. It is rich in essential nutrients, such as magnesium, manganese, iron, tryptophan, copper, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and phosphorous. Quinoa is considered a complete-protein food because it contains all nine essential amino acids. Quinoa is also gluten-free.
Quinoa is not only nutritious, it is delicious. Cooked quinoa is mild and buttery, and slightly crunchy. The most common quinoa seed is golden in color, but there are other varieties in colors such as red, black, pink, orange, and purple. The darker-colored seeds have a more crunchy and earthy texture when cooked, as well as more fiber.
Quinoa’s nutritional components
- Quinoa’s nutritional components are known to be good for a variety of ailments:
- Magnesium - Reduction of migraines and heart failure
- Amino acid lysine – Essential for tissue growth and repair
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2) – Necessary for proper energy production within cells
- Manganese and Copper – Provide antioxidant protection
- Whole Grain Fiber Protective against certain cancers, childhood asthma, and gallstones
To learn more about Quinoa, check out the wikipedia article.
The Food Trial for Kate
Food trails can take days and weeks to get an accurate view on what an FPIES child can tolerate. As with any new trial, I get extremely anxious. I wanted this pass for her so much. Because Quinoa is such a powerhouse of foods, my little girl needed it in her diet and I needed doctors off my back (hah!)
On day one we give her 1 tsp of the La Yapa Quinoa Puffs (which are extremely teeny tiny!) She enjoyed picking them up with her fingers and it was definitely a good small motor skill practice, as she doesn’t have the same food experiences that other children have, who have been eating finger foods months before Kate.
Then we waited. 1 hour. 2 hours. We hit the usual 2 hour mark for a reaction, and none. She was happy and content and no odd poop issues (but most importantly — NO FPIES reaction!)
Day 2 she was created with 2 tsp of La Yapa Quinoa Puffs. Success. Every day we added another tsp to her previously tolerated amount. Sometimes FPIES kids can have a build up reaction, in which they may not have a reaction the first or second time, or even the third. But sometimes quite a few ingestions later, their body finally has had enough and says NO MORE! *DANGER!* *DANGER!*
I was worried about a possible build up reaction, but we have now been “trailing” Quinoa for about a month or two, now, and she seems to like them just fine. The puffs are fantastic. They are light and airy and taste great as a stand alone snack or for regular eaters, a cereal, a yogurt topping, etc.
We moved on to Quinoa Flakes, which are a bit different then the Quinoa Puffs. Quinoa flakes, when cooked this way — is like a creamy oatmeal but very earthy in taste so it helps to add some of your favorite flavorings — honey, or brown sugar. I added salt to mine and it definitely helps. Kate was not a fan of the flakes because of the earthy taste so we had to get really creative in hiding the flakes. (I used my Baby Brezza baby food maker to blend bananas and a tablespoon of quinoa flakes and it created an incredible thick and creamy baby cereal. But, more about the Baby Brezza coming up in another post!)
I loved the idea that I could hide this super nutritious food in with her other foods and give her amazing nutrition. I mean — just how many 18 month olds do YOU know that eat quinoa? Most young toddlers are eating gerber puffs and mum mums. (Believe me, I remember and have been there once upon a time.)
So now, thanks to La Yapa Organic — we get delicious and nutritious finger foods for our special little eater. 
Support farming families in Bolivia.
The Company
What I really liked about the company itself is that it is T-I-N-Y. I really feel like if you purchase from La Yapa, you are not only purchasing wholesome organic food for your family, but you are also supporting a family (and many families) in the process and not just some major corporation.
La Yapa only gets their organic quinoa from one source — farming families in Bolvia through fair-trade practices. The families are paid fairly for their work, and La Yapa is helping to support not only the farmers who work, but the families, and that each child receives a well-rounded education in the process.
To learn more about La Yapa’s Cause: [click here]
The customer service was AMAZING. I spoke with Tania, who was very helpful in addressing any possible allergen issues or cross contamination issues that La Yapa may encounter. I felt confidant enough to try their product(s) and Tania had sent me a few samples in the mail just days later. The sandwich bag sized sample of the puffs that we received lasted us a LONG time. In fact, we just ran out yesterday and will need to be ordering more promptly! Kate really likes her teeny morsel snack and I feel very happy giving her this wonderful super food.
Overall
We are thrilled that we could call quinoa a pass, and we are even more thrilled that the company we will choose to get all future quinoa products for in the future, is such a great company. If you want to start your baby right (it’s the perfect FIRST food), then I definitely recommend the puffs. They are so incredibly tiny that you will not (at all) have an ounce of worry of possible choking. (I am SUPER paranoid about that kind of stuff, but the puffs are the PERFECT size for little fingers.)
If you’re an FPIES parent or a parent of a child with allergies, I urge you to check out La Yapa Organic for your quinoa trial needs.
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