Food Allergies
A food allergy is when a person’s immune system believes a specific protein found in a given food is harmful to the body and attacks it. Today, food allergies are on the rise and as many as 9 million adults and 6 million children are diagnosed with food allergies.
In the United States, 90% of allergic reactions results from consumption of one of the big eight: milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, shellfish, fish, soy, and wheat. Symptoms of food allergies occur in variety of forms and can be mild or life threatening. Currently, there is no cure for food allergies.
However, with careful planning and the right professional support team, food allergies can be managed. A food allergy diagnosis can be overwhelming, especially when it is to more than just one food. With necessary dietary restrictions because of a food allergy, nutritional deficiencies that inhibit growth and overall health may become a concern.
How a Registered Dietitian can help:
- Conducting elimination diets that avoid over-restriction and food aversions
- Menu planning for a balanced diet
- Appropriate supplementation if needed
- Food label reading and identifying hidden ingredients
- Allergy-free cooking and recipe substitutions
- Safe food preparation
- Navigating the grocery store
- Creating an allergy-free home environment
- Lunchtime at school, college, or in the office
- How to survive social occasions and holidays
- Dining out at restaurants
- Learning to communicate food allergies to others
- Assist with Emergency Action Plan development
- Provide additional resource
