What you need to know about food allergies and intolerances
Heading into the holiday season, with all its implications of catering for family and friends, it’s timely to visit the varied adverse reactions to some foods that commonly occur. Health Promotions Officer with Healthy Cities and practicing...
Catering for friends and family this holiday season? It's time to look at the varied adverse reactions to some foods that commonly occur. Health Promotions Officer with Healthy Cities and practising dietitian Manami Henderson helped me untangle all the information.
Food allergies involve the immune system and occur in up to 10% of children and up to 4% of adults. The most common triggers are eggs, dairy, peanut, tree nuts, sesame, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish. Symptoms include swelling of the face, lips and eyes, hives or welts, stomach pain and vomiting. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, affecting breathing and the heart, and can be life threatening. In many cases, food allergens need to be eliminated from the affected person’s diet.
Food intolerance is a term that describes a wide range of adverse reactions to food. Symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, flatulence, diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, rashes, hives, mouth ulcers or headaches. Intolerance for some substances generally involves the digestive system and can be severe enough to avoid or eliminate the foods that trigger the symptoms.
Some examples (not exhaustive) of naturally occurring substances that can trigger intolerance symptoms are listed below:
- Cow's milk and other dairy products may affect those with lactose intolerance
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) occurs naturally in camembert, parmesan, tomatoes, soy sauce and mushrooms but can be used as an additive for flavour enhancement
- Vasoactive amines such as tyramine, serotonin and histamine can trigger migraines. They occur naturally in pineapples, bananas, red wine, chocolate and mature cheese
Coeliac disease involves an immune system response to foods containing gluten, and results in inflammation of the gut and poor absorption of nutrients. Symptoms are gut upset, fatigue, anaemia and weight loss. Non-coeliac gluten intolerance, a recently recognised condition, causes bloating and tiredness.
Most people with food-related allergies or intolerance will know about their limitations. If unsure, remember to ask these guests to let you know what to avoid. There are many options for substitutes and recipe modifications. This website gives some information for common food allergy-related recipe substitutions, particularly in children.
Important note
Our bodies are designed to eat a variety of animal and plant foods so any food elimination diet should be undertaken with a medical practitioner or accredited practising dietitian.
Find out more about food allergies and intolerances at these links:
