Are you food intolerant?
Wednesday 24 January 2007
We recently highlighted a campaign called Food Intolerance Week, which aimed to raise awareness of the problems people face with certain foods.
We take a look at food intolerances and allergies and what you should do if you think you've got one.
What are food intolerances and allergies?
A food allergy is when you eat something and your immune system reacts to it as if it isn't safe. It's usually obvious very quickly after eating a food that you have an allergic reaction to it. Severe food allergies have been known to be life-threatening.
Food intolerance generally does not endanger life, but if you eat something you're intolerant to, it might make you feel unwell or affect your health in the long term.
How do I know if I'm intolerant or allergic?
Allergies reveal themselves in different ways. Your lips might swell up or become blistered, your nose may start to run or your eyes water or you may develop a rash.
Food intolerances may make you feel bloated or tired or as if you need to be sick a lot of the time. If you think you're intolerant or allergic to a certain food, you should get it checked out as soon as you can.
Should I just stop eating something I think I'm intolerant to?
You shouldn't just cut something out of your diet because you think your body's intolerant; you might be missing out on valuable nutrients and could even have incorrectly identified the foods that are causing the problem.
It's important to learn as much as you can about your allergy so that you can fully avoid anything which might make you unwell.
Making sure you have a healthy diet
Having a food allergy doesn't mean that you still can't have a healthy or balanced diet. If you've been used to eating a certain food and have suddenly had to stop, you might be worried about what you can eat.
A dietician will teach you how to have a healthy diet while avoiding the foods you're sensitive to. Your GP can put you in touch with one.
If you're eating out
If you're eating at a restaurant, make sure you tell your waiter or waitress about your allergy and ask about any dishes on the menu that you're not sure about. If the waiting staff can't really help you, you're best avoiding the food or asking to speak to a chef.
If you're at a fast food place, ask them if any of their foods are likely to affect your allergy.
