"food allergies" news and stories

For all of you out there concerned about food allergies I would like to tell you about Cherrybrook Kitchen. They make natural baking mixes; frosting, cookie, cake, and pancake mixes that are wheat-based and gluten-free. They are also vegan, kosher, and peanut, dairy, egg, and nut free.

Patsy Rosenberg was addicted to chocolate cake. Hey, that's not something that bad is it? Well is wasn't, until she developed food allergies. She started reacting first to chocolate, then seafood, nuts, and any dairy and egg products. Doctors told Rosenberg that she could no longer eat any of these foods or else risk a life threatening allergic response.

She tried to stay away from all the foods that she reacted to and finally got fed up. She started playing around in her kitchen trying to create cakes without eggs and dairy products and after many failures came up with a few good recipes. She took cakes to parties and got such a good response that she decided to start Cherrybrook Kitchen.

The mixes have gotten some good press from Parents and Family Circle magazine, as well as some of the specialy mags. Now their mixes can be now be found in national chains, such as Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Kroger, Super Target, and Giant Eagle, for a total of around 3.500 stores nationwide.

Source

Whole Foods has just put out a recall on its Whole Treat Organic Vanilla Ice Cream Bars Dipped in Chocolate due to undisclosed almonds. This isn't the first time Whole Foods has recalled an ice cream product due to undisclosed ingredients. Last August they issued a recall on their frozen chocolate and vanilla soy products that contained undeclared milk. In the past they have had other food recalls such as when jars labeled peanut butter actually contained almond butter, as well as a few others over the years.

I'm glad that companies are quick to make food recalls for allergies and possible contamination, such as the spinach scare of the last few months. People with allergies, young children, the elderly, those who are pregnant , and people with immune system problems should keep track of food recalls to stay safe. To stay abreast of allergy related food recalls you can visit the Food Allergy website and the Kids With Food Allergies website. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration site has up to date info on all types of food and drug recalls.

If you're lactose intolerant, you know all about nausea, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. So while you might stay away from dairy products, you can still get calcium and vitamins from fish, dark green, leafy vegetables, and tofu. But you're an adult. As pediatrician Dr. Ari Brown asks, "How many kids, especially toddlers, eat broccoli, green leafy vegetables, rhubarb or tofu?"

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, even lactose-intolerant children should eat some dairy every day to help maintain daily recommended levels of calcium and vitamin D. Aside from the fact that it might be difficult to get lactose-intolerant kids to eat canned anchovies, dairy products are a more adequate source of the nutrients needed bone growth and development.

The AAP recommends that children drink about 4 to 8 oz. of milk with meals or other foods throughout the day. As children get older, aged cheeses and yogurt can be added to the diet because these foods lack the sugar that can make milk hard to digest.

Think that you're going to break out in a severe case of itchy hives, and gasping for air if you have a food allergy? Not always. While some severe food allergies, like allergies to tree nuts, may cause dramatic reactions, there are other signs to food sensitivities. The Guardian lists seven other signs that you may have a food sensitivity:

• Oral itching and tingling - Itchiness is a common symptom of food allergies, but when it appears in the mouth in the absence of other more severe reactions (like wheezing), it may be an indication of oral allergy syndrome (OAS). OAS is not well known, but seems to be a common response to raw fruits and vegetables like carrot, celery and apples. I've never experienced it with those foods, but I do sometimes feel a little itchy when I eat a mango.
• Headaches and migraines - Culprits can be monosodium glutamate (MSG), other food preservatives, amines (which are found in chocolate, mature cheese and red wine) and food coloring
• Respiratory distress - Often due to sulfites, which are preservatives found in dried fruits, prepackaged salads and canned foods
• Digestive malaise - I have no idea what it means, but "frothy" diarrhea indicates lactose intolerance, and other digestive problem like bloating, gas and diarrhea could indicate gluten intolerance.
• Skin complaints - Some forms of celiac disease will have no digestive problems, but will appear as itchy blisters on the skin
• Cravings
• Tired all the time

The Seattle Times brought up a good point with an article about dealing with dietary restrictions in social situations. In restaurants, it is a relatively simple matter to let your waiter or the chef know that you have food allergies or would prefer to have your dish without, say, cilantro. But food issues can be more problematic when dining at the home of friends or acquaintances.

It is always acceptable to let people know when you have allergies - preferably in advance - but what about food preferences? Should you tell the host that you follow the Atkins diet and your significant other doesn't eat any dairy products and hates onions?

Unfortunately, there is no one real answer, but since most hosts and hostesses want people to enjoy the party and the food they prepare, it can be easier to mention some things up front, than to refuse all food at the dinner. As a general rule, it is a good idea to politely mention "big" things, such as whether you are a vegetarian or vegan, but if you really have a laundry list of foods you just don't like, be willing to compromise and pick some out. To play it safe, offer to bring a dish (or two), which will not only take pressure off the host/hostess, but will make sure there is something you can eat.

Source