Food allergies? Avoid holiday minefield with these tips

It was an innocent mistake.

Susan Cope had scoured through the ingredients list for her pre-cooked holiday ham, making sure it contained none of the things to which her young son, Kenny, is allergic.

What Cope didn’t know was that the clerk accidentally gave her the ingredients list for a turkey, not the ham. Because the ham contained wheat, it left Kenny ill in the bathroom for the rest of the night.

”It’s very terrible as a mother to have fed that to your child and watch them be sick all night long,” said Cope of Dover, Fla.

The Copes’ experience two years ago is just one example of the many pitfalls people with food allergies or intolerances face on a daily basis, not just during the holidays.

But as the holiday eating season rapidly approaches, complete with its parties and sit-down dinners, those who can have severe reactions to food must be even more vigilant.

”For an increasing number of Americans, the feast table is a potentially deadly minefield that requires careful navigation,” according to information provided by Traci Tavares, a spokeswoman for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.

Food allergies result in 100 to 200 deaths per year, according to the network.

Food allergies occur when the immune system reacts negatively to something you’ve eaten, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

That reaction might include swelling, hives, vomiting, wheezing, fainting, abdominal pain or difficulty breathing.

”About 1 in 3,000 people have a true food allergy,” said Dr. Lionel Bonini, an allergist at Watson Clinic in Lakeland, Fla. ”They’re not common.”

Problem foods most often include peanuts, tree nuts such as walnuts or pecans, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, soy and wheat.

By contrast, food intolerances are more common. Intolerances may involve the same high-protein foods listed above and cause many of the same symptoms, but they do not affect the immune system.

With so many potential problem foods involved, the holiday table can become a major obstacle course for those with allergies and intolerances.

Janet Heitler can relate. The 48-year-old Tampa, Fla., woman found out seven years ago she has celiac disease, a condition that prevents the body from processing gluten.

As a result, Heitler cannot eat anything that contains wheat flour – an ingredient often prevalent on the average holiday table.

Fortunately Heitler’s family and friends are understanding and make sure they have gluten-free dishes to offer. In other social situations, however, Heitler simply works around her condition by bringing food she knows she can have.

”I just meander through life making my decisions, and I try not to be a burden on hostesses,” said Heitler, who helps run a celiac support group in Tampa.

“I am highly motivated. You can put a nice, hot basket of Cuban bread in front of me, and I won’t touch it.”

Ultimately the best way to prevent an incident is to take responsibility for yourself, those with allergies and intolerances say. Among the precautions you can take are:

- Eat before you go.By doing so, you’re sure of eating safe foods and won’t be left hungry.

- Talk to your host or hostess ahead of time. Offer to bring a side dish to share.

- Avoid dishes served in sauces or condiments, which could contain hidden allergens.

Conscientious hosts and hostesses also can help by following a few basic tips:-

- Serve sauces and condiments on the side when possible.

- Be understanding when someone asks what is in a dish. Having the recipe handy can be a bonus.

- Be responsive to unforeseen problems. Some people can have severe reactions simply by being in the same room with certain foods, such as citrus, and may not have thought to warn you in advance.

- Be aware that food allergies can cause life-threatening reactions. Don’t be offended if someone chooses not to eat.

Allergy Symptoms,Allergy Medicine,Natural Allergy Remedies,alternative health

Source Link:- http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20081119/ARTICLES811190206?Title=Food_allergies__Avoid_holiday_minefield_with_these_tips