Food allergies can occur even when you eat only a minute amount of the offending food. Peanuts, cow's milk, wheat, soy, eggs, fish, shellfish and tree nuts are the most common food allergens, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, but a person can develop an allergy to almost any food. The best defense against food allergies is avoiding the foods that trigger them. Developing a good preventive strategy and sticking to it can help you to avoid unexpected allergic reactions.
Read Labels
When you go grocery shopping, allow yourself plenty of time as reading labels will help you to avoid the food to which you are allergic. Learn all of the derivatives of your allergen:. Corn allergy sufferers, for example, should avoid not just the obviously stated 'corn' listed in the ingredients, but also corn starch, maltodextrin and the ubiquitous corn syrup, among other things. Generally speaking, the longer the list of ingredients, the higher the chance that the product will contain a derivative of the food you are allergic to. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network warns that you must check labels every time you shop, as the ingredients may change. Avoiding processed foods in favor of whole foods can make this task much easier.
Cook at Home
Eating out can be tricky if you are allergic to an ingredient that is used in a variety of foods. If you want to prevent food allergies from occurring, your best bet is to prepare your own meals. While you can ask a waiter or cook about ingredients, chances are they won't know if a particular dish contains an allergen. For example, if you are allergic to milk, the cook likely won't know all of the ingredients in the commercial breading on your fried fish, which could contain dried cheese or a milk derivative.
Plan for Travel
Travel can be a special challenge for people with food allergies, especially if you are visiting a country where you don't speak the language. To facilitate communication with wait staff, carry a card with a picture of the food that you are allergic to. If you are allergic to multiple foods, you might want to travel with a supply of energy bars or other foods that you can rely on when there is no "safe" food available.
Keep Medication on Hand
When you have a food allergy, if you eat at other people's homes, restaurants or social gatherings, chances are you are going to inadvertently consume the allergen at some point. Be prepared, and have your medication readily available in case of emergency. Let dining partners know about your allergies so that they'll know what is happening if you happen to have a reaction. If you have severe food allergies, it is a good idea to carry injectable epinephrine, also known as an EpiPen, with you at all times.
References
- Elmhurst College: Corn Syrup
- Federal Citizen Information Center; Tips for Avoiding Food Allergies; September 16, 2004
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: Food Allergy -- Tips to Remember
- The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network: Shopping and Selecting Safe Foods
- EpiPen.com: About EpiPen Auto-Injector
