Dad shares allergy-free recipe to week's worth of $7 snack (2024)

FAQs

What foods are completely allergy free? ›

Allergen free is a term used by allergy sufferers to refer to food that does not contain any of the ingredients that cause an allergic reaction for that person.

All alternative grain products, such as breads, other baked goods, cereals, crackers, noodles, pancakes, pasta, pretzels, rice and tortillas made without wheat or other indicated allergenic ingredients. Check all labels and verify safe food preparation techniques to determine safety.

These eight foods account for 90 percent of food allergic reactions. They are milk, eggs, fish (such as bass, flounder, cod), crustacean shellfish (such as crab, lobster, shrimp), tree nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, pecans), peanuts, wheat and soybeans.

Do not eat any foods from the food allergen groups for 6 weeks. Eggs, milk, wheat, seafood (fish and shellfish), soy, peanuts, tree nuts, or any foods or drinks that have traces of these foods. Add 1 food from an allergen group back into your diet at a time. Your dietitian can guide you.

The best choices are antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, and eye drops. “For children with severe symptoms, we can combine antihistamines and intranasal steroids,” explains Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn. If your child needs daily therapy for persistent symptoms, intranasal steroids would be the choice, she adds.

What happens if you continue to eat food you're allergic to? ›

Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger symptoms such as digestive problems, hives or swollen airways. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

There is no way to flush food allergens out of your system. Rather, you need to avoid ingesting the food that triggers your allergy. And if severe symptoms occur, you need to treat the symptoms, with epinephrine.

The most common food allergies include cow's milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, fish, soy, wheat, and sesame.

“Allergens are considered hidden because they are either not listed on the label or listed under a different name that you might not be expecting,” Dr. Daines said. “Some products may contain milk or eggs without stating so, or they may use terms like natural flavoring or spices that can include allergens.”

The most common bites and stings that people are allergic to are those from honey bees, wasps, hornets, and ants, with symptoms usually occurring just minutes after the sting. If you experience severe symptoms, treat them with epinephrine and seek immediate medical attention.