Thursday, January 22, 2009

Information On Food Allergens And How To Beat Them

By Chris Channing

A food allergy is something that usually comes at childhood, but it can be a permanent allergy that may be difficult to deal with. In order to live the same life everyone else can, those who suffer from food allergies should find out why food allergies work, how to find alternatives to foods, and how to stay healthy amidst possible food allergy danger.

First to remember is that most food labels have allergen information on them. Still, some bakeries and food manufacturers have been known to accidentally include allergens without proper documentation. Always keep one's health above everything else, and be very cautious about visiting local bakers or food manufacturers that are more prone to accident than large companies.

The bulk of all food allergies are obtained at childhood, and they can be grown out of. There are only a handful of cases where there are permanent allergies to food. Permanent allergies are usually related to wheat and peanuts, although dairy is another category that has received much attention in food reform. As of yet, there is little that can be done to "cure" the food allergy- but there are certain types of medications that are able to help an attack if there should be one.

There are certain substitutes that can be used in place of some allergens, so those with food allergies can still enjoy the same tastes as everyone else without the allergic reaction. Dairy, for instance, can be substituted with coconut or soy milk. Even nuts can be substituted, with things such as sunflower seeds or combinations such as soy nut butter.

Luckily for those who suffer with permanent food allergies, there are places to obtain food and substitutes that are guaranteed to be safe and taste great. Most of the said resources are online- and products can be ordered to deliver within days. Some health food stores and large grocery store chains will also have some helpful sections on allergen-free foods, but don't expect to find the right solution without a little work.

Adults usually do not obtain or grow out of an allergy. But this isn't always the rule of thumb, since some adults have been known to be stricken with shellfish allergies even with consuming shellfish before in one's early life. This is a very rare occurrence, but it does indeed happen. Growing out of an allergy is even more uncommon at this age, and some will never be able to be recovered from.

Closing Comments

A life with food allergens will be a bit more work to manage, but it isn't impossible to lead a very healthy lifestyle regardless. Substitutes and drugs are being created all the time to help those in need out. Consult a doctor for more information on dealing with an allergy.

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