Food Allergies
Food allergies occur when something enters the body, is perceived as a danger, and triggers an immune system response. Histamines are part of that response, which often manifests in respiratory and skin irritations.
You may have noticed a rise in allergies in recent years. Some schools are going as far as banning peanut butter because the problem is so severe. Foods must be labeled in clear, easy language if they contain foods that commonly have reactions. Luckily for allergy sufferers, many specialty products are tapping into the food allergy market. Even large chain restaurants are advertising items free of certain foods.
There are a few theories as to why so many people have food allergies today. Looking at human food consumption overall, some believe our global food supply is to blame, bringing foods from other parts of the world, from new sources with new allergens. Unrecognized allergens could also be occurring due to excessive manufacturing and high processing of foods.
Closer to home, it is thought that feeding baby anything other than breast milk in the first three months can damage the digestive system, suppressing the immune system and leading to food allergies.
Our obsession with cleanliness is also a concern. Over use of antibacterial products may have weakened our immune systems by failing to challenge them.
The eight foods that are most likely to cause allergies are:
Milk
Eggs
Peanuts
Tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews)
Fish
Shellfish
Soy
Wheat
If your child is at risk for food allergies or there is a history of food allergies in your family, it may be possible to prevent them. Combat this problem for your kids, before it becomes a problem, by following these steps:
Feed only breast milk for the first six months. This means avoiding formula and any solid foods.
While breastfeeding, mothers should avoid eating the top eight allergy foods, even if they are not themselves allergic.
Follow the general solid food guidelines, offering only one food at a time, and for several days, before trying something new.
Do not give milk, citrus, wheat, or eggs until age two.
Do not give peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, or soy until age three.
Keep a food log, and carefully record the foods your child eats and any reaction they produce. Even a mild reaction may be an indication of an allergy. Allergic reactions usually begin mildly and increase in severity with each subsequent exposure.
As your child ages and foods become more and more processed, be sure to read labels carefully.
