By Isabelle Nunn, Head Nutritionist
Managing food allergies can be extremely challenging, as it means being always hyper-vigilant, reading food labels and making sure environments and surfaces are allergy-free.
This can be especially stressful for parents of allergic children needing to safely navigate school, play visits and eating outside of the home. If you suspect you might have an allergy, your doctor may be able to provide a diagnostic blood test or skin test. Any food can trigger an allergic response, yet according to Allergy UK, there are just eight foods that cause ninety percent of allergic reactions! - these are:
1. Cow’s milk
2. Egg
3. Peanuts
4. Tree Nuts
5. Wheat
6. Soy
7. Fish
8. Shellfish.
The word ‘allergy’ is often used loosely, however, it is not the same as other adverse food reactions such as:
· Food poisoning from spoilt foods
· Pharmacological reactions to chemicals added to foods such as MSG (monosodium glutamate), alcohol and caffeine.
· Food intolerances- these are adverse physiological or chemical reactions that do not necessarily elicit an IgE immune response. An example would be lactose intolerance. This is when an individual does not produce enough lactase, the digestive enzyme that digests milk. Lactose intolerance is especially common in East Asia, where it shows up in 70-100% of the population. Gluten intolerance is a reaction to the glutenous protein in grains such as wheat, spelt, barley and rye. Although not a true allergy, gluten intolerance can cause serious symptoms in those with celiac disease. Some individuals experience symptoms after eating gluten without having celiac disease, this is generally termed non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Nutrition tips:
Eat as much of a varied and balanced diet as possible to avoid nutritional shortfalls and replace offending foods with healthy substitutes. Look after your gut health by eating probiotic and prebiotic foods that support your intestinal flora.
Garden of Life Microbiome Formulas offer a potent boost of beneficial bacteria strains designed to support digestive and immune health. Certified gluten-free.
https://www.kijaniliving.com/brands/garden-of-life/microbiome.html
Look out for food and food supplement brands that cater for those with food allergies:
Organic Traditions offer a range of certified vegan superfoods- free from dairy and animal products.
https://www.kijaniliving.com/brands/organic-traditions.html
Garden of Life Mykind Organics range of multi vitamins and minerals are independently tested and certified gluten-free and vegan.
https://www.kijaniliving.com/brands/garden-of-life/mykind.html
Any claims in this article are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any diseases. A food supplement is not a substitute for a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle.
