A variety of food items can cause allergies, but two of the most common are wheat and lactose. A wheat or lactose allergy alone can lead to several exclusions from the diet and when combined can severely limit someone's diet. Individuals with allergies to wheat and lactose or those wishing to exclude them for other reasons must pay extra special attention to almost everything they eat.
Wheat Allergies
According to the Mayo Clinic, wheat allergies are an abnormal immune response to the proteins found in wheat. Wheat allergies can range in severity and in the symptoms an individual may exhibit. Although medications can be used when wheat is accidentally consumed, avoiding wheat is the best form of treatment for a wheat allergy. Wheat may also need to be avoided in individuals who have celiac disease, a disease in which individuals do not tolerate gluten well. It is important to let others know about allergies and intolerances to help to ensure that wheat and wheat products can be avoided.
Sources of Wheat
Wheat is found in a variety of products. Breads, baked goods, grains, and wheat flours are obvious sources of wheat. Beer and chocolate are also sources of wheat that are often overlooked. Wheat and wheat products are often included in products such as potato chips, pretzels, graham crackers, and chocolate. Dining out can be extremely difficult, especially for those with severe allergies. Many food items are prepared alongside others. Even if the food item requested does not contain wheat products, it is important to ensure it was not prepared with others that do. Even the close proximity can trigger a reaction in wheat-intolerant individuals.
Lactose Intolerance
Many individuals suffer from lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and milk products. When an individual is intolerant to lactose, she is unable to adequately digest lactose. Lactase is an enzyme contained in the body that helps to break down the lactose you ingest. In lactose intolerant individuals, there is a deficiency of lactase, which results in inefficient digestion. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, lactose intolerance develops over time and generally begins around age 2. Lactose can cause abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and nausea in intolerant individuals. Although many people with lactose intolerance can tolerate small amounts of lactose, it is best to limit products that contain lactose.
Sources of Lactose
Milk and milk products are the main sources of lactose. Cottage cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and other cheeses all contain lactose. According to the NDDIC, many other food products also contain lactose. Baked goods, processed cereals, salad dressings, margarine, and many other products can also contain lactose, even though these products would seem to be lactose-free. Dry milk and protein powders also often include lactose. A variety of reduced lactose and lactose free products are available. According to the NDDIC, it is best to read food labels to ensure that the products are in fact lactose free. The NDDIC states that if the words milk, lactose, milk by-products, curds, dry solid milks, or non-fat dry milk powder are included in the ingredients list, the product contains lactose.
Management
Management of wheat and lactose allergies can be simple if individuals are aware of the products that cause an allergic reaction and make an effort to eliminate those products from their diet. Reading food labels is key to food allergy management. It is important to ensure that there are no wheat or lactose products in the ingredients list.
