Have you ever eaten something and had an unpleasant reaction? If so, you may have a food allergy, or you may have what’s known as food intolerance. An estimated 11 million Americans are allergic to common foods such as milk, eggs, nuts, and shellfish. At this time, there is no cure for food allergies; avoidance is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction.

Food Allergies

A food allergy is an immune system response to a food the body mistakenly believes is harmful. Once the immune system decides that a particular food is harmful, it creates antibodies towards it. The next time the food is ingested, the immune system responds to protect the body and triggers symptoms such as respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin, or cardiovascular reactions.

An anaphylactic reaction can occur when certain foods are ingested.  Peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, milk, and eggs commonly cause this type of life-threatening reaction.  Click here to learn more about anaphylactic reactions, prevention, and treatment.

You can be allergic to any type of food, but a handful of foods account for the vast majority of allergic reactions. If you’re allergic to or intolerant of one or more of the foods listed below, talk with your doctor or dietitian about how to avoid and treat reactions.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerances are more common than food allergies. If you have problems such as headache or bloating after eating certain foods, you may have a food intolerance. For example, if you get headaches after eating cheese or chocolate, your body may be reacting to components in these foods. You may also experience reactions to certain food additives, such as food dyes, sulfites and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Coping with Food Allergies/Intolerances

Dealing with the challenges of children and food allergies can be difficult for most parents. A child with one or multiple food allergies may have difficulty getting enough calories and nutrients. Talk with your physician or meet with a dietitian as a starting point for coping with a child who suffers from food allergies. A dietitian can help develop an appropriate diet and create a safe grocery list. He or she can also teach both parent and child how to read food labels to locate safe product ingredients. 

Don’t be afraid to advocate for your children with family, friends, daycare providers and schools to ensure that your child is offered only safe, appropriate foods. Click here to discover information about local and national support groups for children with food allergies and for parents.

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