Food Allergies + Original Articles

The Difference Between Food Allergy, Intolerance, and Sensitivity

True allergies which can be life threatening are often confused with less serious food sensitivities. Learn about the differences. In the past few decades, food allergies have exploded. As their numbers rise, more people are conscious of what they eat and how it's prepared. In grocery stores and on restaurant menus, you'll find offerings that are peanut-, gluten-, or dairy-free, all catering to these growing markets.

Yes, You Can Deal With a Restricted Diet

When a medical condition means you or a loved one must change how you eat, it feels overwhelming. Start here. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a condition—like celiac, diabetes, food allergy—that requires dietary changes, you know that it can be jarring. After all, what could be more fun than ordering a pizza for the big game or celebrating a special event at a favorite restaurant? Suddenly being unable to do those things, or having to put a lot more thought and care into eating, may leave you feeling frustrated and angry.

What Dolphins Can Teach Us About Eating for Health

Dolphins may seem like an unlikely model for improving human diets, but these marine mammals can teach us the importance of quality vs. quantity when it comes to food. In order to be healthy, we humans need a balance of macronutrients (protein, fat, and carbohydrates), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, and trace elements), phytochemicals (bioactive compounds in food), and water (to replenish fluids). Unfortunately, much of the food we consume today is deficient in these essential elements.

How Social Situations Affect Your Child's Food Allergies

If your child has a food allergy, her risk of suffering a reaction may increase as she gets older. Here's why. The pre-school and kindergarten years were difficult times for your child with food allergies. But as your child grows, so may her risk of having a serious food allergic reaction. It's not because the problem worsens as a child ages, but rather that...

5 High-Risk Spots for Food Allergies

Dangers can lurk anywhere from the ball game to the dentist's office. Here's how to protect yourself. Here are five common settings where food allergies and other allergens can put you at risk. Use these tips to help you navigate through each situation safely: 1. Picnic in the Park Your family picnic at the local park can quickly take a turn for the worst if you have food allergies.

Which Supplement Could Ignite Your Allergies?

If you're allergic to seafood, you'll want to double-check before popping this popular pill. In recent years the medical community has become increasingly aware of all of the ways fish oil supplements can improve your health. But if you suffer from fish allergies, fish oil can put you at increased risk for having a reaction. That's why it's important to learn more about the pros and cons before you take your next dose.

Think You Have Food Intolerance? Test It

Here's how your doctor will determine if you have an intolerance to substances like lactose or gluten. Only 3 to 4 percent of adults have true food allergies. If you experience bloating after consuming a plate of pasta, or gassiness after enjoying an ice-cream sundae, you most likely have a more common condition: Food intolerance. While it's confusing to tell the difference between a food allergy and food intolerance, the main difference is that an allergy to an offending food is an immune system reaction.

Is It Food Allergies or Just Picky Eating?

Your reactions to certain foods could point to something less serious than a true allergy. Do you avoid certain foods because you're a picky eater or is it because you're allergic to a food item? It can be difficult to tell the difference since the symptoms of food distaste/ intolerance and a true food allergy can appear very similar. Navigating Food Allergies and Intolerances An article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that at least half of all Americans who think that they have a food allergy are mistaken.

Can You Develop Food Allergies at Any Age?

While many food allergies begin in childhood, the fact is that at any age, you can suddenly find yourself dealing with an allergic reaction to something you've had to eat or drink. It's true, adults could develop food allergies. Both adults and seniors can experience food allergy symptoms for the first time. The symptoms can range from mild discomfort to serious or even life threatening.   Common Food Allergy Triggers ...

Taking Your Child to the Hospital?

Care for your child with confidence with these 10 tips. Taking your child to the hospital for treatment can be a confusing and emotionally taxing experience. And as a parent, you're required to serve a dual role, as both loving family member and patient advocate. "Parents are an integral part of their child's health-care team, even in the hospital," says Karen Bergan, parent leader and chairwoman of the Family Advisory Council at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian.

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