Food Allergy Tips
If you have a food allergy, the best thing to do is to avoid eating that food. But it can be extremely challenging since it may be hidden in the food you eat. You can often find the more common allergies in plain sight on the packaging or label. Peanut or nut allergies warnings are most often seen as well as dairy warnings. If you have a serious food allergy, your doctor may suggest that you carry an Epi-Pen. An Epi-Pen will counter act the reaction and hopefully bring you back to normal while you seek medical help. Again if you have a life threatening food allergy it may be best to wear a tag or a medical alert bracelet.
Fact – You may not know this but the food industry takes allergies extremely seriously.
Some people have self diagnosed themselves with food allergies but may mistake a food intolerance with allergies. Food intolerance is defined as being natural reactions that do not involve the body to active its immune system. Let’s look at a few food intolerances:
a) Metabolic reaction – This involves the body’s inability to digest foods like fats or lactose. Often this can produce gas, diarrhea, and other stomach related issues. b) Physical reaction- The body doesn’t activate its immune system but there is a physical response. Some people will become red in the face or may get a form of hives c) Sometimes we think too much. Thinking too much can lead to the body to start secreting hormones and other stimulants. One of the strong feelings you maybe get from this is the need to urinate. d) Some foods will cause our moods to change. Drinking coffee or other drinks can certainly affect how we feel. Some people may in fact have a similar reaction from just eating too much fruits
While it’s important to understand your body’s reaction, you should always consult with your doctor.