Blog

Food Allergies Increasing

in The Too Busy to Diet Blog on July 20, 2013

The 2009 Journal of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states that about 4- 8 percent of children younger than 18 and 2 percent of adults have food allergies. This may not seem like a large number, but for the allergy sufferer, it can be difficult when eating out and shopping for allowable foods.
The most common food allergies in the U.S. include peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, crustacean shellfish and soy. Do not assume an allergy to a food without proper testing.  True food allergies trigger the body to produce an immunologic response to a particular food. Trace amounts of a food allergen can cause a reaction.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease of the National Institutes of Health guidelines for food allergy diagnosis include:

• In-depth medical history and physical
• Skin Prick Test to establish a skin allergy
• Food Elimination Diets to provide oral food Challenges

Symptoms of those complaining of a food allergy are often not scientifically supported. Often foods are unnecessarily eliminated causing diets to be inadequate.

Symptoms found with severe food allergies include:

• Constriction of airways
• Swollen throat or sensation of a lump in your throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Shock, severe drop in blood pressure
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or sudden loss of consciousness
• Coma or death if not treated immediately

If you suspect a food allergy, make an appointment with an Allergist. Consult with a Registered Dietitian to insure adequate nutrition often compromised when eliminating foods from your diet.