by Ren Huff

Created on: November 07, 2008   Last Updated: November 08, 2008

Have Food Allergies? Now What?

Finding out you or a loved one has food allergies can seem quite overwhelming if you don't have the information needed to find replacement foods, let alone the long trip to the grocery store checking every ingredient on food labels. Unfortunately, many manufacturers change their ingredients often, usually without warning. Therefore you have to check the labels every time you purchase. Let us not forget dining out at restaurants also.

There are ways to make your life easier through the transition process of eliminating allergen foods and replacing them with safe foods.

1. Don't be afraid to ask your Allergy Physician to give you as many pamphlets as he can on your specific allergy. You can never get too much information when it involves your safety or the safety of a loved one.

2. The Food Allergy Network is a great organization to get involved with. They have ample amounts of materials available. They can also send you email alerts when an allergen food has been found in a product not labeled with that warning. They offer much more. Their website address is www.foodallergy.org.

3. I have found that a great place to find specialty foods is at an organic/health food grocery store such as Whole Foods Market. For example, if you have an egg allergy and would still like to eat some baked foods then Ener-G Egg Replacer is a great replacement. It works like an egg but does not have any egg derivative in it. It works great in homemade recipes and in many box recipes. Many of the local Markets are beginning to carry some specialty foods also.

4. Before visiting a restaurant you can do a couple of things. First, see if they have a website and check out their nutrition information. Many restaurants will list their ingredients online for you. Second, don't take for granted that all restaurants in that chain use the same ingredients. You should always speak to a manager and ask them to show you the ingredients on the items you want. They will want to cooperate because they surely do not want a lawsuit.

5. When shopping, don't assume that a food would not have your allergen in it. For instance, there are some sausages encased in casein (a milk derivative). Who would have thought there would be milk in meat? Always check labels.

6. Research! The Internet has numerous recipes, information, recalls on food, and of course support groups to help you lead a normal life.

You can eat safely if you arm yourself with the right information and the right foods.

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