Food Allergies and Intolerances
|
Learning IntentionTo be exposed to what food allergies and intolerances are, and explain how this impacts on me when I cook for others.
|
Success CriteriaI can explain what food allergies and intolerances are.
I can explain how this impacts on me when I cook for others. I can explain what anaphylaxis is and list the warning signs and symptoms. I can list alternatives to certain foods to avoid allergies. |
Background information
There is a lot of information (and misinformation) in the community about food allergies and intolerances. Some people are sensitive to certain foods and think they have an ‘allergy’. However, most reactions to food are actually food intolerances. So, what is the difference between an allergy and intolerance? What are some of the most common food allergies, how can we recognise a food reaction, and how can we prevent them from happening?
In a true food allergy, the body’s immune system responds to produce antibodies to particular protein in food. This happens very quickly. Food allergies only occur with small number of foods such as milk, eggs, seafood, peanuts and some other nuts. Allergies affect about 5 per cent of children and
a smaller percentage of adults. Symptoms of a food allergy can include breathing problems, stomach upsets and skin rashes. However, some severe food allergies can be life threatening.
A food intolerance does not involve the immune system. Rather, it is a chemical reaction that some people experience after eating after eating or drinking some foods. It may be the irritation of nerve endings in different parts of the body leading to the reaction. While symptoms caused by food allergies develop very soon after eating the food, symptoms caused by food intolerances can be immediate
or can occur 12 to 24 hours later; this delay can make food intolerances hard to recognise. Food intolerance reactions are often related to how much food is consumed. They may not occur until a certain amount (threshold level) of food is eaten and this varies from person to person.
In a true food allergy, the body’s immune system responds to produce antibodies to particular protein in food. This happens very quickly. Food allergies only occur with small number of foods such as milk, eggs, seafood, peanuts and some other nuts. Allergies affect about 5 per cent of children and
a smaller percentage of adults. Symptoms of a food allergy can include breathing problems, stomach upsets and skin rashes. However, some severe food allergies can be life threatening.
A food intolerance does not involve the immune system. Rather, it is a chemical reaction that some people experience after eating after eating or drinking some foods. It may be the irritation of nerve endings in different parts of the body leading to the reaction. While symptoms caused by food allergies develop very soon after eating the food, symptoms caused by food intolerances can be immediate
or can occur 12 to 24 hours later; this delay can make food intolerances hard to recognise. Food intolerance reactions are often related to how much food is consumed. They may not occur until a certain amount (threshold level) of food is eaten and this varies from person to person.
Nut allergies:
Nuts are the most highly allergenic food, with peanut allergies affecting one in 50 children. Two- thirds of children with a nut allergy will be allergic to one or more tree nuts (cashew, hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, peanuts, pine nuts, pistachios and macadamia nuts), and any nut allergy can be just as severe as another. This allergy tends to persist into adulthood, with about one per cent of Australian adults having a nut allergy.
Avoiding nuts: Complete avoidance is vital, as even a minuscule amount may trigger a reaction. Reactions can also occur from touch and inhalation. Make sure there is no cross-contamination from other nut-containing foods and examine all food labels closely, as well as body lotion labels for nut oils.
Symptoms: Symptoms can include cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea, facial swelling, wide-spread hives and/or breathing difficulties. In the worst cases, anaphylaxis (the most dangerous form of an allergic reaction) can occur. This is a rapid, whole body response where there is a sudden serious drop in blood pressure.
Danger factor: Peanuts are the food most likely to cause anaphylactic reactions. As tree nuts are widely available and used more often in various foods and recipes, these allergies are on the increase. Ongoing exposure to nuts, even in small amounts, means less and less exposure is needed to cause a reaction. Complacency can have fatal consequences.
Source: Dostine, J 2011, ‘Survival guide to food allergies and intolerances’, in Australian Healthy Food Guide, April, pp. 30–36.
For more information about food allergies please see the Anaphylaxis Australia website at www.allergyfacts.org.au.
Avoiding nuts: Complete avoidance is vital, as even a minuscule amount may trigger a reaction. Reactions can also occur from touch and inhalation. Make sure there is no cross-contamination from other nut-containing foods and examine all food labels closely, as well as body lotion labels for nut oils.
Symptoms: Symptoms can include cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea, facial swelling, wide-spread hives and/or breathing difficulties. In the worst cases, anaphylaxis (the most dangerous form of an allergic reaction) can occur. This is a rapid, whole body response where there is a sudden serious drop in blood pressure.
Danger factor: Peanuts are the food most likely to cause anaphylactic reactions. As tree nuts are widely available and used more often in various foods and recipes, these allergies are on the increase. Ongoing exposure to nuts, even in small amounts, means less and less exposure is needed to cause a reaction. Complacency can have fatal consequences.
Source: Dostine, J 2011, ‘Survival guide to food allergies and intolerances’, in Australian Healthy Food Guide, April, pp. 30–36.
For more information about food allergies please see the Anaphylaxis Australia website at www.allergyfacts.org.au.
Connecting online with Healthshare
|
27 September 2011
Media release: New social networking site revolutionises access to health information and patient support
Healthshare (www.healthshare.com.au), an Australian social health networking site, has launched, offering a safe online place for people to connect with others sharing similar health experience or interests across over 350 health communities including cancer, depression, diabetes, fitness, heart disease, menopause and osteoporosis and weight management.
Using functionality that has become synonymous with popular social networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, members can follow communities, start discussions, share personal stories, connect with others, create ideas, health blogs and more.
In addition, they have access to evidence-based fact sheets from leading health organisations such as beyondblue, Lifeline, Diabetes Australia, Osteoporosis Australia, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, Sports Medicine Australia and The Heart Foundation.
‘Research shows that people are not using Facebook to talk about their intimate health details’, said Darryl Jackson, CEO and co-founder of Healthshare. ‘Healthshare is a local place for Australians to learn from each other’s experiences.’
Governed by Australian national privacy laws, members are able to harness Healthshare’s privacy features to be as public or private as they choose.
‘When you’re sick, sometimes the last thing you want to do is front up to a group of people and ask questions. Healthshare is convenient, private and full of people in the same situation as you’, said Ben Bravery, 29-year-old bowel cancer sufferer and Healthshare member.
‘Social media was an important part of my life before my diagnosis, so it made sense to continue to rely on this form of communication and networking when faced with my cancer,’ he added.
Healthshare www.healthshare.com.au is a free service to all Australians aged 18+ years.
Media release: New social networking site revolutionises access to health information and patient support
Healthshare (www.healthshare.com.au), an Australian social health networking site, has launched, offering a safe online place for people to connect with others sharing similar health experience or interests across over 350 health communities including cancer, depression, diabetes, fitness, heart disease, menopause and osteoporosis and weight management.
Using functionality that has become synonymous with popular social networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, members can follow communities, start discussions, share personal stories, connect with others, create ideas, health blogs and more.
In addition, they have access to evidence-based fact sheets from leading health organisations such as beyondblue, Lifeline, Diabetes Australia, Osteoporosis Australia, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, Sports Medicine Australia and The Heart Foundation.
‘Research shows that people are not using Facebook to talk about their intimate health details’, said Darryl Jackson, CEO and co-founder of Healthshare. ‘Healthshare is a local place for Australians to learn from each other’s experiences.’
Governed by Australian national privacy laws, members are able to harness Healthshare’s privacy features to be as public or private as they choose.
‘When you’re sick, sometimes the last thing you want to do is front up to a group of people and ask questions. Healthshare is convenient, private and full of people in the same situation as you’, said Ben Bravery, 29-year-old bowel cancer sufferer and Healthshare member.
‘Social media was an important part of my life before my diagnosis, so it made sense to continue to rely on this form of communication and networking when faced with my cancer,’ he added.
Healthshare www.healthshare.com.au is a free service to all Australians aged 18+ years.