Navigating Food Allergies

– Mayo Clinic

BIG Food Allergies

LOOK OUT FOR: albumin, globulin, mayonnaise, “ovo-”powdered eggs, some artificial flavors, nougat, pasta

2.6 MILLION AMERICAN AFFECTED CHILDREN CAN OUTGROW EGG ALLERGIES.

EGGS

LOOK OUT FOR: bean curd, tofu, tamari, tempeh, artificial flavors and colors

1.9 MILLION AMERICAN AFFECTED MANY BROTHS AND PACKAGED FOODS CONTAIN SOY, SO BE SURE TO READ LABELS

SOY

LOOK OUT FOR: Worcestershire sauce and Caesar salad dressing (may contain anchovies), barbecue sauces

2.6 MILLION AMERICANS AFFECTED FISH CAN BE A HIDDEN INGREDIENT IN SAUCES, MEDICATIONS AND TOILETRIES. STICK TO FRESH FOODS AND READ PACKAGED FOOD LABELS.

FISH

LOOK OUT FOR: artificial flavoring, baked goods, candy, chili, chocolate, sauces, fried foods, marzipan, nougat

6.1 million americans affected The leading cause of severe food-related allergic reactions are peanuts.

PEANUTS

LOOK OUT FOR: bran, bulgur, couscous, pasta, semolina

2.4 million americans affected gluten free does not mean “wheat free.” check with a doctor before eating grain alternatives.

WHEAT

LOOK OUT FOR: crab, lobster, shrimp, mussels, scampi, octopus, oysters, scallops, clam juice, bouillabaisse

8.2 million americans affected most people allergic to crustaceans are also allergic to mollusks.

SHELLFISH

LOOK OUT FOR: casein, whey, lactose, hidden dairy in powdered products

6.1 million americans affected a milk allergy often Signals an allergy to an ingredient in milk. check with a doctor to find the right alternative for you.

MILK

LOOK OUT FOR: baked goods, candy, granola, trail mix, bread

3.9 million americans affected severe tree nut allergies are usually lifelong.

TREE NUTS

Count on Hy-Vee for food allergy relief

As the number of food allergy-friendly products increases, so do awareness and curiosity. What is a food allergy? When the immune system believes a food is harmful, an antibody (immunoglobulin E) is released to ward off the threat, causing immediate physical symptoms (allergic reactions). The exact number of people in the U.S. with food allergies is unknown, but is estimated at 32 million. Survey data suggest almost 11 percent of the population has food allergies, while almost 20 percent believe they do. This may be due to the symptom similarities between intolerances and allergies. Most allergies begin in childhood and can decrease, increase or disappear with age. Adult-onset food allergies require more study, but may develop due to hormonal, environmental, viral or bacterial changes. There is currently no cure, but medical intervention (oral medications, emergency epinephrine) are available for symptom relief. Up until this year, eight foods accounted for 90 percent of U.S. reactions. In April 2021, the U.S. government designated sesame a ninth major food allergen. Avoid triggers by having safe-for-you foods on hand. And schedule an appointment with a Hy-Vee dietitian for food label and allergy education.

Every year in the U.S., 200,000 people require medical care for allergic reactions to food.

An image of a collection of dietary replacements to common allergies.

Allergy: Food allergies are linked to our immune systems. The only way to be certain a food allergy exists is through diagnosis by a trained medical professional. Intolerance: An intolerance is not a food allergy. It may cause similar symptoms, but those symptoms are due to different factors. For example, if a person is missing an enzyme needed to digest a certain food or is sensitive to an additive, a reaction similar to a food allergy reaction can occur. Prevent symptoms by eating alternatives to the foods that trigger reactions.

• Itchy mouth • Hives or eczema • Swelling tongue • Wheezing • Abdominal pain • Vomiting • Dizziness/fainting • Anaphylaxis

what’s the reality behind your body’s reaction to food?

Allergy or Intolerance

Symptoms

allergy and intolerance reactions range from irritating to potentially fatal.

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction. To treat, inject adrenaline (epinephrine) within minutes of onset.

“You’re at increased risk of food allergies if asthma, eczema, hives or allergies such as hay fever are common in your family.”

Reach out to a medical professional for food allergy testing and treatment, then let a Hy-Vee dietitian help find the foods you can enjoy.

Tree Nuts

Peanuts can be substituted unless separate peanut allergy exists. Opt for sunflower or pumpkin seeds or edamame (soy beans).

WHEAT

Try bread with potato starch, rye meal, potato flour or oat flour. Many wheat-free items are available as well.

MILK

The 1:1 swap options include almond, soy and macadamia milk or lactose-free products. Many non-dairy yogurt, ice cream and cheese choices also are available.

Eat right easily

Hy-Vee offers many allergy-safe foods for stress-free cooking and tasty eating for any meal or snack. Try these food swap alternatives to the big 9.

talk with your Hy-Vee dietitian about food labels, safe products, a personalized store walk-through and one-on-one menu planning.

PEANUTS

Eat tree nuts like almonds, cashews and walnuts, and seeds and pretzels for crunch.

SHELLFISH

Swap in animal meats, eggs, tofu, beans, quinoa and plant-based products.

Soy

Switch to dairy or oat milk, use liquid aminos for soy sauce and enjoy lima beans instead of edamame.

EGGS

Find egg substitutes for recipes, and buy protein alternatives like meat, tofu and beans.

FISH

Opt for jackfruit flavored with seaweed extract or try plant-based fish fillet choices.

SESAME

Substitutes for sesame seeds include flaxseeds and sunflower seeds; to replace sesame oil, use canola or olive oil.

*Update from Seasons Magazine: In April 2021, the U.S. government passed the FASTER Act, which added sesame as the ninth food on the list of top food allergens. To adhere to laws pertaining to the “Big 9” food allergens list, food manufacturers have until Jan. 1, 2023, to update labels of sesame-containing products.

LOOK OUT FOR: crackers, noodles, gluten-free foods, salad dressings and tomato pastes

0.7 MILLION AMERICANS AFFECTED Allergies to other seeds and nuts increase chances of a sesame allergy.

SESAME

Substitutes for sesame seeds include flaxseeds and sunflower seeds; to replace sesame oil, use canola or olive oil.

Source:

NY Allergy

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