Food Allergies

Welcome back, and thanks so much for joining me for today’s lesson:

Food allergies, and how they can actually affect your skin health!

Many people may not correlate the two, but skin issues oftentimes arise because of food allergies.

Identifying what foods may cause a reaction is one of the first steps to bettering your overall health.

If you suspect that you may have a food allergy, the first thing is to consult your physician. He or she may suggest to run an skin test against common allergens, but oftentimes, you’ll still need to run a simple test:

  • Write down all of the foods that you eat on a regular basis (start with the foods that you eat daily, then work your way out), and begin eliminating them one at a time.
  • Make note of how you feel when you eliminate a certain food. Eventually, you’ll be able to recognize what foods you have an allergy to, and you’ll know to avoid them.

With processed foods, it can be tough to know exactly what you’re eating, which can make it difficult to determine your allergy. The best way to avoid foods that can cause reactions is to read labels and cook your meals at home.

Common Allergens

Did you know that 90% of all food allergies are caused by only eight items? The most common allergens are milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, soy, nuts from trees, fish and shellfish. The good news is that there are ways that you can enjoy the flavor of these foods without any of the side effects.

Peanuts

Swap peanut butter for almond butter. If you love satay sauces, nut butter cookies, or PB&J sandwiches, then go for almond butter, which works well in these recipes. Just be sure to check the label to make sure it’s processed in a “peanut-free facility”. Get your reading glasses and look for things likes “might contain traces of peanut” and be sure to glance at the nutritional stats of any packaged foods (especially the ones that you wouldn’t expect like gravy, canned chili, and even salad dressing).

Milk

Many people who have milk allergies still want to enjoy the occasional bowl of cereal: in that case, opt for soy, rice or almond milk. Those who think they are allergic to cow’s milk oftentimes just have trouble digesting it. Try to kick the tummy aches by switching to goat’s milk, which oftentimes is produced with less additives and hormones.

Corn

My friend Nicole is allergic to corn. It’s one of the worst allergies to have since corn byproducts are in thousands of frozen, canned, jarred, and packaged foods. They contain corn as an additive or filler (in the form of sweetener) and as a way to add volume to food, cheaply. Nicole’s become very good at reading labels, but one way to be sure is to cook simple fresh food, meals that she makes in her own kitchen like a grilled piece of chicken topped with fresh pineapple salsa.

Wheat

A lot of people think Celiac’s Disease is an allergy, when in fact it’s an autoimmune disorder. When wheat, in particular the gluten in wheat, is ingested the body sends antibodies that attack the lining of your intestines. There are plenty of great products that are listed as wheat- or gluten-free to choose from. One of my favorites, rice pasta, is a great wheat-free option for folks with wheat allergies or sensitivities. Adding in plenty of fresh vegetables and lean protein is a way to make a delicious complete meal.

Stay tuned for more information on maintaining healthy skin. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you which superfoods are absolutely super for your skin!

Thanks for reading, and can’t wait to talk again!