This week is Food Allergy Awareness Week and it’s a good time to consider food allergies and how they make us (and our children) sick.

What is a Food Allergy? According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a food allergy is an “abnormal response to a food, triggered by the body’s immune system.”  When the body encounters a food substance it doesn’t like (or is allergic to) it releases a special antibody in order to protect itself from that food.  However, this allergic reaction can be extremely dangerous and sometimes leads to death.  If you have a food allergy, talk to your doctor.  He or she can help you identify what you are allergic to and what actions to take in the event of a reaction.

What is the difference between “Food Intolerance” and “Food Allergy?” First, it is important to know that certain bacteria present in food can create “food poisoning” symptoms similar to an intolerance.  So before jumping to a conclusion about foods you may, or may not, be intolerant of, it’s best to consult your doctor.

• Food Intolerance is the body’s inability to process certain types of food.  The digestive system of individuals with Food Intolerance lacks the enzymes necessary to break down specific foods.  When the body is unable to break down food, it can linger in the intestinal tract and cause severe cramping, bloating, and gas.  In severe cases of Food Intolerance, undigested food particles can rupture the the lining of the intestines and enter the bloodstream.
• Food Allergies, as mentioned before, is the immune system’s reaction to a food substance it perceives to be potentially harmful.  Symptoms tend to be more immediate than those felt by food intolerance sufferers.  Common allergic reaction symptoms include coughing, sneezing, vomiting, migranes, watering eyes, rashes, swelling, hives, and–in extremely severe cases–anaphylactic shock, which prevents the sufferer from breathing on their own.

What are some common foods that cause Food Allergy? Almost 90% of Food Allergies are triggered by protein-rich foods such as:

• Fish such as bass, flounder, and cod,
• Shellfish such as lobster and shrimp,
• Peanuts,
• Tree nuts such as walnuts and almonds,
• Wheat,
• Milk,
• Soy,
• and Eggs.

These foods are all legally considered “major food allergens” and should be avoided by sufferers of Food Allergies.

For more information, visit foodsafety.gov or the FDA.  Additional source:  foodintol®.