Do you suffer from food allergies?
If not, odds are good that you know someone who suffers from food allergies – possibly a mild aversion to nuts, dairy, eggs, fish or some other food. You may even know someone who suffers from extreme allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis and must carry an epinephrine injector (EpiPen) with them at all times in case of such a reaction.
If you yourself suffer from food allergies, then you know firsthand the challenges of avoiding one or many kinds of foods, particularly in a society of refined food products that may often include all of the items you are allergic to even when it seems unlikely.
Read Labels- Ingredient listings which are often included on foods, with descriptions such as “natural and artificial flavorings” only further complicate things when trying to stay safe from what not to eat so whether you do or do not have food allergies, educate yourself by referencing the government approved Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act. This law mandates that food manufacturers declare when any one of the eight major allergens (milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, soy, wheat, peanuts, crustaceans) are present in a food product.
When preparing foods if you or someone else in your family (or at an event) suffer from food allergies, be sure to pay close attention to the ingredients in anything that you use, as well as to use clean utensils to prevent the possibility of contamination from a previous usage.
Learn the specific scientific names for allergens, such as casein (allergen in milk) so that you know what to look for when examining labels. Living with food allergies is not easy, but with some effort you can avoid putting yourself or your allergy-suffering loved ones at risk.
Use common sense when participating in SRF’s monthly clean eating challenges, or any other plan for that matter, it’s very important that you keep your allergies front and center and avoid those items you know will or can be harmful.
If you are unsure of whether or not you have food allergies, why not get tested? It certainly won’t hurt to visit your Dr. and find out. Just think, even if you have no “known” allergies, perhaps you can find out if there are foods you are consuming that may be causing you discomfort. Food for thought! “pun intended”
Let’s try not to let food allergies control your life especially when we have so many options! I definitely encourage you to talk with your primary Dr. or make an appointment with an allergist to put your mind at ease especially if you generally feel bad when eating certain things. All we can do is our best. Remember, this is the only body we have so let’s take care of it!
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