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Food Allergy: A food allergy is an immune system response to a specific protein in a food. When a person with a food allergy consumes that food, their immune system mistakenly identifies it as harmful and releases chemicals that trigger allergic reactions. Food allergies can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms of food allergies can include skin rashes, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, digestive issues, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Some allergies may be outgrown over time while others can be lifelong.
Food Intolerance: A food intolerance does not involve the immune system. Food intolerances are typically caused by the body’s inability to fully digest certain foods. Symptoms of food intolerance can vary widely but often include digestive issues such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Peanuts: Peanuts are one of the most common food allergens, and even trace amounts of peanuts can trigger severe allergic reactions in some people.
Tree nuts: Tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, and pistachios can also cause allergic reactions ranging from mild to severe.
Lactose intolerance: This is a common food intolerance where the body is unable to fully digest lactose, a naturally occurring sugar found in milk. It can cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Milk: Milk allergy is common in infants and young children. It involves an immune reaction to proteins found in cow’s milk, causing symptoms such as digestive issues, skin rash, and respiratory problems.
Eggs: Egg allergy is common in children and can cause symptoms ranging from mild skin rash to severe allergic reactions.
Soy: Soy allergy is common, particularly in infants and young children, and can cause digestive issues, skin rash, and respiratory symptoms.
Gluten intolerance: Gluten intolerance, also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity, is a common food intolerance where the body has difficulty digesting gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It can cause symptoms such as digestive issues, bloating, and fatigue.
Fish: Fish allergy is common and can cause mild to severe allergic reactions, including respiratory symptoms, skin rash, and digestive issues.
Shellfish: Shellfish allergy, including crustaceans (e.g., shrimp, crab, lobster) and mollusks (e.g., clams, mussels, oysters), can cause severe allergic reactions.
Sesame: Sesame allergy is becoming more recognized as a common allergen, and it can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
Food labels include information about potential allergens, such as peanuts or gluten, to help consumers with allergies avoid these ingredients. Use natural non-processed foods as much as possible. Make sure you teach your child what foods they cannot eat.
SUBSTITUTIONS for GLUTEN FREE
Use rice crackers instead of wheat crackers, saltine crackers, or butter crackers
Use hard or soft corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas
Use rice bread instead of 100% whole grain wheat bread
Use cereal instead of animal crackers
SUBSTITUTIONS for DAIRY FREE
Use unflavored soy milk instead of skim milk
Use unflavored almond milk instead of skim milk
Use saltine crackers instead of cheesy crackers
Use margarine instead of butter
The cheese can be added separately or removed in many of the recipes on this site.
SUBSTITUTIONS for SOY FREE
Use potato bread instead of 100% whole grain wheat bread
Use hard or soft corn tortillas instead of some flour tortillas
