We accommodate a wide range of food allergies and intolerances, by planning and preparing menus that adhere to your specific requirements. Whether you have a sensitivity, an intolerance, or a severe allergy to a particular food, we can design menus and screen nutrition labels accordingly.
What’s the difference between a sensitivity or intolerance and an allergy? Read on to find out, as well as to learn the eight most common food triggers.
A food sensitivity or intolerance can be caused in part by lacking an enzyme to properly digest a particular food, such as with lactose intolerance. Or by a condition such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Most food intolerance and sensitivity reactions are limited to the skin, the digestive and respiratory symptoms.
A food allergy is an immune response to a food or foods and can affect multiple organs in an allergic person. For those with severe allergies even a minute amount of the allergen can be dangerous. Therefore, we approach all food allergies with the utmost precaution and safety.
Eight foods cause approximately 90% of reactions, from mild to severe. These foods include:
- dairy
- eggs
- fish
- peanuts
- shellfish
- soy
- tree nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts)
- wheat (barley, rye and other gluten-containing grains)
Some other things that may cause reactions in some individuals include:
- corn
- food additives and preservatives (such as sulfites in dried fruit and wine, and MSG)
- latex (including food service gloves)
- meat (especially cured and treated meats)
- seeds (such as sesame and poppy)
- pollen foods (see below)
- yeast
There are also many hidden sources of potential allergens, whether it is from cross contamination or from other names given to common allergens. One example of cross contamination includes wheat/gluten contaminating oats and other grains during the growing or production process.
As for potential allergens being disguised under other names, the general words “flavoring” or “natural flavoring” on nutrition labels can mean a number of things.
The words casein and whey indicate dairy, malt indicates wheat, and animal-derived ingredients such as eggs and fish are sometimes used in the production of wine.
Some hidden food sources of allergens include:
- dark chocolate often contains soy lecithin and/or milk
- salad dressings and even some roasted nuts/seeds and dried fruit may contain soybean oil
- the word “flavoring” or “natural flavoring” may contain potential allergens, such as milk
- many store-bought packaged and convenience products contain ingredients such as soy, nuts, wheat, dairy and eggs
- wine may have been produced using gelatin, milk protein, crustacean shells and more
Did you know?
- Getting bitten by the Lone Star tick can cause someone to become allergic to certain meat such as beef and pork. The reaction can be as severe as anaphylaxis.
- For individuals with severe peanut allergies, as little as 1/44,000 of a peanut kernel can cause a reaction
- Some individuals with pollen allergies can have reactions in the mouth and throat after eating raw fruit and vegetables. This is known as pollen-food syndrome. People with this type of allergy may notice symptoms after eating raw apples, cherries, peaches and other pitted fruits, melon, peanuts and hazelnuts.
As for how we can accommodate some of the most common food allergies please read below.
For wheat allergies:
- spiraled vegetable “noodles” or gluten-free noodles in place of wheat
- alternative flours such as coconut, almond and buckwheat in baking
- wheat-free tamari in place of traditional soy sauce
Some of our favorite soy-free alternatives are:
- chickpea miso in place of traditional soy-based miso
- coconut aminos in place of soy and tamari in Asian dishes
Some of our favorite nut-free alternatives are:
- sunflower seed butter
- tahini
For egg allergies:
- flaxseed or chia “eggs” can be used in baking where chicken eggs are normally found
- certain foods act as natural binders, such as mashed bananas and peanut butter
Interested to see how we can accommodate your food allergy? Please contact us to schedule a consultation and menu discussion.
If you find this diet interesting please see these related pages:
Sources: Kidswithfoodallergies.org, Mayoclinic.org, WebMD, Peta.org