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Millions of people in the United States are affected by food allergies \u2013 and that number is only rising. \u00a0While experts are still trying to understand the cause for the continued rise of food allergies over the past few decades, most people are just trying to figure out how to best live with their allergy.<\/span><\/p>\n As a <\/span>parent of a child with a food allergy<\/span><\/a>, it can be particularly nerve-wracking to not only uncover suitable food allergy alternatives but to make sure that your child does not come into contact with food that could prove to be life threatening. \u00a0On top of all of this, there tends to be some confusion surrounding what is and what is <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> a true food allergy. \u00a0Here, we\u2019ll shed some light on the food allergy issue and offer up some <\/span>viable alternatives to some of the most common food allergies<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Many people fall under the impression that they have a true food allergy when they, in fact, only exhibit an intolerance to a particular food or set of foods. \u00a0To distinguish the two, let\u2019s break things down a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n Food allergies are more serious than a food sensitivity. \u00a0With a food allergy, exposure to the allergen can result in hospitalization and even death. \u00a0This is the kind of situation in which the consumption of particular foods is going to cause a very dramatic allergic reaction. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Food sensitivities are different in the fact that they don\u2019t pose the same kind of health risk, as they usually involve mild to moderate digestive issues. \u00a0Take lactose intolerance, for example. \u00a0For those with the condition and for those who hear them talk about it, the perception may be that this is an allergy. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, an intolerance \u2013 like lactose intolerance \u2013 is classified as a type of food sensitivity. \u00a0If the consumption of dairy were to cause a severe negative internal reaction, such as one that affects organs or breathing, then this would be termed as a milk allergy.<\/span><\/p>\n While both food allergies and food sensitivities involve being careful around certain foods, criteria for managing each condition is a little different. \u00a0An individual with a food allergy is more likely to require injectable medicine that they can carry with them should they experience anaphylactic shock due to exposure to a food allergen. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n People who experience food sensitivities can typically resort to over the counter digestive remedies in the event that they consume a food they are sensitive to. \u00a0Avoiding dangerous or otherwise problematic food is going to be the best course of action for either condition, which brings us to the topic of substitute foods.<\/span><\/p>\n Even if you just have a sensitivity to any of the following foods, it\u2019s smart to go ahead and take note because you can benefit just as much from their substitutions as those with a food allergy.<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s start by taking a look at dairy. \u00a0Dairy can be found in a wide range of food products, from milk, yogurt, and ice cream to cheese, sour cream, and even chocolate. \u00a0This kind of allergy can be really difficult for people to deal with because so many recipes call for the use of some kind of dairy product. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For the replacement of butter, consider using a substitute that\u2019s already commonly used: margarine. \u00a0This is a great choice for a butter substitute because most recipes will automatically take into account the use of margarine, and measurements usually don\u2019t have to change when swapping butter and margarine. \u00a0Be careful, though, as some margarine brands use a few dairy proteins \u2013 but you can find plenty that don\u2019t. \u00a0You might also try coconut oil or canola oil where possible.<\/span><\/p>\n For products like sour cream, cream cheese, and even yogurt, many dairy-free products are available as substitutes for them. \u00a0These products typically use a soy base as the substitute, so, provided that you don’t also have an allergy to soy, such products could work well for you or your children. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cheese is a harder food to substitute, but there are cheese replacement products made by companies like Daiya Foods that do offer different \u201ccheese\u201d flavors. \u00a0These substitutes can be used in a variety of dishes much the same way that actual cheese would be used.<\/span><\/p>\n Another common food allergy involves eggs.\u00a0Unfortunately for those with this allergy, there aren\u2019t food allergy substitutes for an actual fried or scrambled egg. (Scrambled tofu is satisfying, though, and there is a pea protein scramble product available.) Instead, egg substitutes are based more on the substitution used in baking. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many baked goods call for the use of eggs, so it\u2019s great that there are substitutes out there that will allow those with an egg allergy to still eat food like cake and cookies. \u00a0Flaxseed powder and unflavored gelatin are ingredients that you might find in egg substitutes; just keep in mind that some things \u2013 like flaxseeds \u2013 might bring in flavors of their own. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Like dairy, avoiding nuts can be really difficult because they\u2019re used in so many things. \u00a0Even products that you would never associate with nuts may include a small amount of them or may have come into contact with them in a shared facility. \u00a0Of course, just because you or your child is allergic to a particular nut, like the peanut, it doesn\u2019t mean that all nuts are out of the question. \u00a0For some people, a specific peanut allergy will still let them eat other nuts, such as almonds. \u00a0However, if all nuts are definitely off the table, then seeds might be a worthwhile substitute. \u00a0Check out sunflower seeds and flaxseeds as nut substitutes.<\/span><\/p>\n Gluten has been a big topic in recent years, and there is hot debate surrounding the various factors of the gluten allergy issue. \u00a0While more and more people profess to have a gluten allergy or sensitivity, some studies suggest that the number of people who suffer from a true allergy \u2013 such as those with celiac disease \u2013 represents a very small percentage of the population. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many people report having a gluten sensitivity, but there is evidence to suggest that poor digestive health may be more to blame. \u00a0Having an imbalanced digestive system that doesn\u2019t contain the healthy bacteria and other microbes needed for proper digestion can result in the body rejecting gluten as a harmful foreign substance. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whatever the case, the explosion in focus on gluten allergies and sensitivities means that there are plenty of gluten-free products available at virtually any grocery store. \u00a0Rather than use wheat, or products that contain it, consider using rice flour or potato starch.<\/span><\/p>\n Soy isn\u2019t something that many people automatically look for when preparing meals, but it\u2019s an ingredient or substitute in so many of our food products these days. \u00a0Soy allergies can, therefore, be tricky to deal with, but, provided that you don\u2019t have other allergies, like a dairy allergy, doing a lot of cooking yourself can be a little easier. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Milk and cheese typically don\u2019t contain soy but pay attention to the packaging, in any case. \u00a0Keep an eye on margarine and different meats, as these may contain soy as either basic ingredients, substitutes, or fillers.<\/span><\/p>\n Last, we come to chocolate. \u00a0Chocolate allergies may seem like the cruelest of allergies to many people, as how many of us can really imagine going through life not being able to eat chocolate? \u00a0Careful analysis of a chocolate allergy should be undertaken, as it may turn out that an allergy to chocolate is, instead, an allergy contained in a chocolate product. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Chocolate candy or even chocolate used for cooking may contain a variety of ingredients, like soy, dairy, nuts, etc., that might actually be the source of your allergy. \u00a0If you have a true chocolate allergy \u2013 which is rare \u2013 then there isn\u2019t really anything you can use as a substitute, though some people try substituting carob. \u00a0Allergy-free chocolate options typically involve the removal of the kinds of additional ingredients already mentioned.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve talked a lot about the sort of foods that you can use in place of allergy-induced foods, but it\u2019s important to also talk about the various products to avoid that contain different common food allergens. \u00a0After all, there are many food products out there that you may not have even realized were potential risks.<\/span><\/p>\n Before buying bread from a bakery or your grocery store, it\u2019s important to do a little digging to find out if eggs were used in any way in making the product. \u00a0Eggs will also be used in foods like waffles and biscuits, and may even be found in certain pasta.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve discussed the various foods associated with dairy, like milk, butter, and cheese, but be mindful that dairy proteins will often be used in a variety of other products as even the smallest of ingredients. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Probiotics offered for digestive health may contain dairy; so, too, products that include artificial and natural flavoring in their ingredients list. \u00a0Some products will replace certain fats with dairy proteins as well. \u00a0If you\u2019re considering using protein drinks to help get in shape, then be warned that most are whey-based, which is a dairy base. Look for pea protein or soy-based powders.<\/span><\/p>\n For peanut allergies, keep in mind that baking mixes, cookies, cereal, chocolate, nougat, and marzipan are likely to contain peanuts. \u00a0For tree nut allergies, many of the same products may contain tree nuts as well as cheese spreads, crackers, granola bars, pie crust, and vegan or vegetarian products. \u00a0Some seeds like pumpkin seeds may not be good for you, either, so make sure you consult your doctor first if you\u2019re not sure.<\/span><\/p>\n Gluten can be found in basically any product that includes grains like wheat and rye, but, these days, many products that contain gluten are labeled as such. \u00a0Bread and cereals are the main foods to take note of, as well as malt products. \u00a0Soy may also be found in bread products, as well as baby formula, dairy-free food, and processed meat.<\/span><\/p>\n Knowing about problematic foods when heading to the grocery store or going out to eat is often only one part of the battle, particularly if you have a child with a food allergy. \u00a0Keeping them safe from a potentially fatal food is obviously going to be a top priority, and this will be made easier by making sure you let others know about their allergy. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Talking to teachers\/staff at their school and\/or daycare is important, as well as teaching other family members about their food allergies and how to avoid a reaction. \u00a0For very young children, you might consider buying something like <\/span>an allergy bracelet<\/span><\/a> that will better help alert people around your child of the potential risk present in relation to any food they might offer them. \u00a0This might be an especially useful aid in the case of a toddler or young child in daycare.<\/span><\/p>\n It may also be necessary to make sure that they carry an auto-injector with them wherever they go, in the event that they are exposed to food that happens to contain something they are allergic to. \u00a0If they have one, then be sure to go over how to use it with their teachers, their babysitter, or their friends\u2019 parents. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n All of these restrictions and precautions may seem rather daunting, but keep in mind that being informed and knowledgeable about an <\/span>allergy issue<\/span><\/a> helps to take wild cards out of the equation. \u00a0Checking food before you buy it, finding and cooking with suitable replacements, and keeping children safe will become second nature in no time.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Millions of people in the United States are affected by food allergies \u2013 and that number is only rising. \u00a0While experts are still trying to understand the cause for the continued rise of food allergies over the past few decades,… <\/p>\n![\"Common](\"http:\/\/www.achooallergy.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Common-food-allergies-infographic-2.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Dairy](\"http:\/\/www.achooallergy.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Dairy-allergies-divider-2.png\")
<\/h2>\nFood Allergy vs. Food Sensitivity<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nFood Substitutes for the Most Common Food Allergies<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Dairy](\"http:\/\/www.achooallergy.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Dairy-products-on-wooden-table.jpg\")
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<\/p>\nAllergy Foods to Avoid and Keeping Your Kids Safe<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
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For example, not eating eggs or cookies, cake, or other desserts that contain them, is a no-brainer, but some bread products might also be a risk. \u00a0Egg washes are often used in baking to help give food a nice golden color on top, to help bind ingredients together, and so on. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"food](\"http:\/\/www.achooallergy.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/food-that-is-good-for-the-heart.jpg\")
Nuts are used in so many products that it\u2019s hard to look through any list of ingredients and not find a mention of some kind of nut. \u00a0Peanut and tree nut allergies are separate allergies, so, if you have one but not the other, then <\/span>avoiding problematic foods<\/span><\/a> may not be as hard. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Woman](\"http:\/\/www.achooallergy.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Woman-grocery-shopping-produce-area.jpg\")
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