Food Allergies - What you Need to Know!
Food allergies and sensitivities in children are on the rise, but the good news is there is plenty you can do to help prevent and manage them.
Australia is known as the ‘food allergy capital’ of the world. Research indicates that 4-8% of children under 5 years of age have a food allergy, and a whopping 10% of babies under one year have a proven food allergy. Globally, studies show that food allergies and sensitivities occur in around 1 in 20 children, with hospital admissions for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) doubling over the last decade in Australia, the USA and UK.
While many food allergies in children are not severe and may be outgrown with time, some are less likely to be outgrown and may end up being lifelong allergies, such as peanut, tree nut, seed and seafood allergies.
Why do allergies occur?
Allergies occur when the body overreacts to an allergen or ‘trigger’ that is typically harmless to most people. Around one person in four is allergic to something, and around half of all allergy sufferers are children. The symptoms of an allergy range from mild to severe. The most severe type of allergic reaction is anaphylaxis, which can be fatal if prompt medical attention is not sought. However, in most cases, effective treatments are available to manage or treat allergy symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
Common signs that your child may have an allergy include sneezing; a runny nose; red, watery, itchy eyes; wheezing, coughing and problems breathing; headaches; skin rashes; and tummy pains, vomiting and diarrhea. Food allergies, in particular, are often associated with hives or swelling around the mouth, which usually happens within 30 minutes of ingesting a food the child is allergic to. If you are concerned that your child may have an allergy, see your local GP or healthcare provider, such as a dietitian. Common testing for food allergies includes skin prick allergy tests using food extracts or blood tests. Certain foods may also be eliminated from the diet to confirm an allergy.
What are the main food allergens in children?
Peanuts
Eggs
Dairy (Casein)
Soy
Wheat
Fish
Shellfish
Tree nuts
Sesame
How to avoid food allergies?
There is no concrete evidence that food allergies can be prevented. Research shows that there is a genetic component that determines the likelihood of a child having allergies ( including food allergies. Studies show that the likelihood of a child with one allergic parent developing an allergy is between 30% and 50%, and the chances of a child with two allergic parents developing allergies is as high as 60–80%. Note, this includes all allergies not only food allergies.
A few things you can do which may help:
Breastfeed until 6 months
Take probiotics regularly – From pregnancy onwards, if possible. Kefir, yogurt, and kombucha are good sources of probiotics, or you can also use supplements.
Ensure you meet your RDI of Omega-3s and vitamin D - Omega-3s are found in oily fish such as wild salmon, sardines and mackerel, as well as grass-fed beef, flaxseeds and walnuts. Oily fish, cod liver oil and eggs are all good sources of vitamin D – not to mention a little sunshine!
Avoid processed and sugary foods - This is especially important, as is avoiding foods containing preservatives 280-282 and sulphites, which can also give rise to and exacerbate allergies. Try to avoid packaged foods and aim to follow a wholefood diet as much as possible.
Managing food allergies safely in your home.
It’s essential that your fridge, freezer and pantry contain allergy-friendly ingredients and store-bought products. I also advise having on hand detailed guidelines and action plans on how to manage your child’s food allergies for grandparents, older siblings or babysitters if they need to step in and feed your child.
Allergy-friendly shopping tips
Read food labels every time you purchase a food product. If it indicates that the product ‘contains’ or ‘may contain’ a particular allergen, then it is not suitable for children allergic to any of the ingredients listed or mentioned in the food list or listed as a possibility of being present in trace amounts.
If you don’t recognise an ingredient, if an ingredient list is not visible or if the ingredient list is written in a foreign language that you do not understand, then avoid the product altogether.
Remember to do the ‘Triple Check’ and read the label:
In-store
Back in your kitchen, before packing it away
Before using it for meal prep or serving
Be careful when purchasing imported products, as labelling rules differ in different countries.