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24 June 2007, 20:57
Eating Out Can Be Dangerous For Those With A Food Allergy.
Food allergies can be deadly to the unsuspecting person who suddenly develops an allergy to a specific food or food group. Food allergies are probably the most difficult type of allergy to identify and are almost impossible to treat to treat with allergen immunotherapy.
For those who suffer any type of food allergy eating at a restaurant, or even eating at someone else’s home can be can be like taking their lives into their own hands. Symptoms of food allergies can range from mild rashes to life threatening anaphylactic reactions. Ingesting even a small bit of the food that causes an allergic reaction can be deadly for the allergy sufferer.
It is difficult to determine why relatively healthy active people suddenly develop a food allergy. You may spend the majority of your life cruising along without a worry, eating anything and everything you want. You might be thinking it's strange when you are at a party and someone says ‘no’ to a specific food item being passed around, "I’m allergic to xxx" is all they can say.
Foods that most commonly trigger an allergic reaction include shellfish, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, milk and eggs. Since such a small amount of these substances are required to start a serious allergic reaction those who live with food allergies have to be very careful where they eat and what they eat.
There are various ways the ingredients that cause allergic reactions can sneak into the food we eat every day even if we try to avoid them.
What is so bad about a food allergy? Just eat the item and take an over-the-counter antihistamine and you will be fine. Well, no—that is not how it works. When you have food allergies, you must be on constant guard to ensure that you do not eat the offending item. This might sound easy, but it is a very difficult area to maneuver.
The following are some things you should take into consideration if you suffer a food allergy.
If you have an allergy to milk, be sure the person who cuts your meat at the deli hasn’t previously used to machine to cut cheese as this cheese residue may find its way into your meat. Also, check your food labels carefully for the ingredient in case this is a milk derivative.
Testing for food allergies is difficult because bloods tests can be inconclusive and skin tests are not very reliable. If you have an idea what you are eating that your body is allergic to, the simple solution is to stop eating the item and all of its derivatives. If you do not know what food allergy you have, it is a process of hit and miss. People with severe food allergies may be placed on an extremely restrictive diet. Once the physician determines that you are not having any food allergies with your current diet, one new food item at a time can be added to determine whether or not there is a reaction. This process is long and tedious, but very effective.
Finally, some restaurants use butter in their marinade for steaks. If you suffer with a milk allergy, be sure to request they skip the butter when cooking your food.
For those who suffer peanut allergies, you already know how hard it can be to avoid peanuts or peanut oils. There are many times when peanuts are reflavored and passed off as a different type of nut. Be sure you always read product labels carefully.
Also, sunflower seeds may also be processed on the same equipment as peanuts meaning the seeds may contain some peanut oil residue.
If we use the example of corn as the food that you are allergic to, you would immediately think, okay, no corn. A food allergy is not that simple. You cannot have corn, popcorn, corn starch, corn syrup, corn meal, and the list goes on. Then, depending upon how severe your food allergy is, you may also have to watch for corn derivatives in nonfood items such as soaps and gels—anything that comes into contact with your body may cause an allergic reaction.
When eating out, be aware that any type of ethnic food may contain or be contaminated with peanut oils. It is always better to pass on a particular food than suffer a life threatening reaction.
Allergies to fish and shell fish are also common. If you suffer these types of allergies, it is best to stay away from steak sauce as well as some Caesar dressings as they may contain anchovies, a type of fish.
Think you are out of the woods with your food allergy just because it has been identified? Well, you probably are not. If a food item (such as corn) is used as part of the ingredients or packaging of a product, it may be exempt from the legal requirement to be listed on the package. Therefore, the item is hidden from the consumer. One such example would be breads, rolls or bagels that might have a light dusting of cornmeal baked into their crusts.
Again, read food labels carefully before eating anything suspicious. When dining in a restaurant that serves fish, inform the waitperson of your allergies so that special precautions can be taken to keep you from getting sick.
Since soybeans and soy-based products have become so popular in American foods, it is difficult to remove this food from your diet entirely. If you suffer from an allergy to soy products, be sure you know the foods you are eating are soy-free.
A food allergy can appear at any time during your life. If the reaction is severe, get immediate medical attention and then always avoid that particular food in the future.
Since such a variety of foods contain this ingredient, however, you may find it difficult to eat a healthy diet and avoid soy. You may want to consult a dietician for advice on how to handle your allergy and still eat a healthy diet.
In order to keep from suffering a dangerous allergic reaction, it is important to keep in mind that your allergen may be hiding in the least expected places. Be aware of these hidden sources of allergy-causing foods. If you suffer a food allergy being vigilant can save your life.
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