Food allergies, it is, for most of the cases, the “I’m not feeling so good after eating this” if food poisoning is excluded. It is actually because the immune system wrongly thinks the protein of food is harmful and making a response to it. You are at higher risk for developing food allergy if one parent has allergies. The symptoms of food allergy you may experience include swelling of lips, mouth itchy, hive, gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain), and shortness of breath which can lead to death.
Peanut and tree nut
It is very common and can be very serious if one with peanut allergic accidentally consume it. Many studies found that the allergenic properties of peanut or tree nut can be modified through processing techniques, for example, raw peanut has lower allergenic properties than a roasted peanut.
Shellfish
This includes shrimp, lobster, crab, and so on. Usually if one happens to be allergic to a type of shellfish, he or she will be allergic to all of them. Some could even be allergic to vapors from cooking shellfish.
Wheat
It is the gluten (as mentioned in “5 main gluten food should one with gluten intolerance avoid”) that make people be allergic. But one who suspects themselves being allergic to this should approach doctors first before changing their diet.
Fish
Adults are more prone to fish allergy than children. Be noted that cooking doesn’t destroy allergen in fish (like what happens in cooked eggs). The allergic reaction can be induced in individuals through exposure, consumption, and inhalation of particles from fish and fish ingredients.
Milk
Some people are allergic to cow’s milk and cow’s milk-derived food products due to milk allergy. It is the lactose intolerance we have mentioned in “Why people get lactose intolerance”. This allergy is common among children and they will no longer be allergic to it after growing into an adult (usually, there are cases they still allergic as an adult).
Prevention of food allergy
Some of the food allergen mentioned above such as peanut and milk have been used extensively as food ingredients in various products. This indirectly developing a greater risk of their presence as hidden food allergens. Therefore, the best way to prevent food allergy is by reading the ingredient list on food labels before consuming it. As food allergy is considered as an important food safety issue, food manufacturers are required to disclose in label whether their products contain any of the allergens as ingredients in foods.
References
- Helen, W. (2017, January 25). The 8 Most Common Food Allergies. Retrieved 24 December 2019, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-food-allergies
- NHS. (2017, October 19). Food allergy. Retrieved 24 December 2019, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-allergy/
- Tim, N. (2017, July 18). Eight common food allergies: Causes, symptoms, and triggers. Retrieved 24 December 2019, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8624.php
- WebMD. (2008, February 6). Common Food Allergy Triggers. Retrieved 24 December 2019, from https://www.webmd.com/allergies/food-triggers#1
