{"id":"4f627e1b428a5c5f959fc96a4ef80314","slug":"6yearold-has-sesame-allergy-and-wont-eat-enough","question":"My 6-year-old has a sesame allergy and won't eat enough calories, how do I make sure he's getting enough zinc?","answer":"Zinc in a 6-year-old's diet is important — the research suggests around 5mg per day — and sesame allergy alone doesn't make that impossible to reach, though it does remove one decent plant source. The real challenge here is the calorie shortfall, not just the sesame.\n\nPlant-based zinc (from beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fortified cereals) is less readily absorbed than zinc from animal sources, which matters when your son's already eating below his energy needs. If he's consistently undereating, his body won't absorb or use nutrients as efficiently regardless of what's in the food.\n\nStart with his pediatrician, who can assess whether the calorie gap and sesame allergy together are affecting his growth or energy — this conversation is important before adjusting what you're offering. If a dietitian's involved (especially one familiar with allergen-restricted diets), they can help you build calorie-dense, zinc-rich meals he'll actually eat and flag whether zinc supplementation would help while you work on the eating piece.\n\nIf your son shows signs of poor growth, persistent fatigue, slow wound healing, or frequent infections, contact his pediatrician to discuss screening for zinc deficiency and next steps.","sources":"[]","thread_json":null,"topic":"allergies-and-nutrition","view_count":0,"created_at":"2026-11-01T00:00:51.718Z"}