A quiet evening meal of an old family recipe of your aunt's infamous lasagna has just turned into a very scary situation. Your child turns to you and complains of an itchy mouth. As you are fumbling with the phone to dial his pediatrician he suddenly progresses to worse as his tongue and throat begin to rapidly swell up. His arms are covered with hives that seem to have come to life and an angry red rash has covered his little face. The ambulance sirens are wailing as your child gasps for air in your arms.



This is an example of how your loved one could be afflicted by a food allergen. His symptoms are shared by thousands of Americans that suffer from a food allergy. Food allergies are a nightmare for the average allergy sufferer. In essence, it is the immune system that goes into battle mode to attack what is normally a harmless ingredient. Thousands of hospital visits each year are attributed to this condition. Many other allergic episodes are quietly treated at home with over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl.

Parents should be aware that soy, eggs, wheat, and peanuts are just some of the most deadly allergens that can have devastating consequences once ingested. On the rise is a hypersensitivity to preservatives and additives. Food dyes can cause a range of health ailments such as vomiting, shock, or cardiac arrhythmias. Almost every type of packaged or prepared food comes with at least one preservative. For those afflicted with food allergies, eating a simple meal can turn into a battleground. How can you cook safely for someone with food allergies? It is important to analyze what exactly they can and can not eat.

Take the time to go through each labeled product in the house and locate the food trigger. Try and become familiar with as many names of preservatives of possible. Preservatives and additives are listed under a variety of names. In addition, be wary of food items that have the words, “natural flavors” in it. This term can hide a variety of hidden allergens to the non-suspecting person. If necessary, call the company and try to find out what exactly these natural flavors are.

It is worth the trouble if it saves your loved one from a ride in an ambulance suffering a reaction. The next step after you have finished scouring your cabinets is to purchase allergen free cookbooks. These are very helpful in finding recipes that omit major food allergens. They are resourceful in finding alternative ingredients to substitute in your cooking recipes. Learn to modify your favorite recipes with an alternate food item. For example, yogurt can be substituted for mayonnaise in many recipes.

A trip to your local grocery store may be disappointing for you, as it is virtually impossible to find anything with organic ingredients these days. It is best to start your grocery stopping at a health food store. Many are happy to direct you to other organic sources that can easily be contacted online or by telephone. It may be difficult to organize a menu suitable for someone with food allergies but it can be done. A dietician can also be extremely valuable to ensure that your loved one receives proper nutrition in his diet. An allergic reaction can be avoided and your loved one can eat safely by taking those few special precautions.