Allergies to Food

The most common symptoms of food allergies are rashes, hives, watery eyes, runny nose, congestion, diarrhea, vomiting and rapid heartbeat along with obvious signs like fatigue, headaches, bloating and mood swings.

The most allergenic foods are- wheat, milk, eggs, yeast, chocolate, and certain food additives.

Milk- true allergies are to the proteins in milk- Dairy subs made from soy, rice, oats, grains, nuts and seeds are good alternatives. Stick to casein free products from vegan food outlets.

Wheat- people allergic to wheat but not gluten are able to eat wheat free grains like rye, oats and barley that contain some gluten.

People with gluten enteropathy/celiac sprue must avoid wheat as well as any other grains that have gluten. Spelt or kamut are not allowed, but you can eat rice, soy, amaranth, quinoa, garbanzo, and some white cornmeal. Even buckwheat can be eaten since it is not wheat.

Corn used as sweetner and thickening agent has become a common allergen. It may be disguised in foods as cornstarch, fructose, dextrose and caramel coloring.

Peanut butter- many people with allergies to tree nuts can tolerate almonds and walnuts and most seeds. Almond butter, tahini and other nut and seed butters can usually replace peanut butter. If you have severe peanut allergy check with your heath care provider and check labels religiously.

Chocolate- Carob a ground food from the pod of a leguminous evergreen tree that grows in the Mediterranean area is the only reliable substitute for chocolate.

Bananas and balloons- people with latex allergies may also experience reactions to bananas, avocados and water chestnuts.

If you suspect a food allergy by all means speak to your MD an seek assistance with your diet from a registered dietitian.

Books

Hidden food allergies: Finding the foods that cause you problems and removing them from your diet (1997) Astor, Steven MD 1-800-548-5757

The Sensitive Gourmet, Imaginative Cooking Without Dairy, Wheat or Gluten (1998) Savill, Antoinette 1-301-459-3366

Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat. The ALCAT Weight Loss Breakthrough Rivera, Rudy MD and Deutsch, Roger D. 1-916-632-4400

Feingold Association of the U.S. (FAUS) 1-516-369-9340

Updated June 2000

Donna Tinnerello, MS, RD, CD/N is a registered dietitian, living in Manhattan, with more than 10 years experience in HIV and nutrition. Her subspecialties are cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal disease, diabetes and weight management.
Donna is available for private consultation by referral only. Ms.Tinnerello has donated time and articles to our web site at always your choice and we sincerely appreciate her contributions.