What To Avoid Archives | Strength and Sunshine

What To Avoid With A Sesame Allergy

March 30, 2017 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 6 Comments

Although not a Top 8 food allergen, sesame allergies are becoming more common after first being reported in the 1950s. It’s important to be aware of the signs, symptoms and what to avoid with a sesame allergy.

Most people think that sesame is a safe alternative for those with nut allergies. Most of the time it is, but what if you had a sesame allergy instead? Over the past few decades, sesame allergies have been increasingly reported and awareness is becoming widespread. The FDA still hasn’t added it to the Top 8, nor does it require labeling when present, but it may be in the future (it’s unofficially the “9th” most common). Sesame allergies present themselves as any other major allergen would with hives, rash, trouble breathing, etc. all the way to up full anaphylaxis reaction requiring an EpiPen and immediate hospitalization. If you have a sesame allergy, that doesn’t mean you’re allergic to all seeds. The most common concomitant allergen is sunflower (however, this isn’t always the case). There is some correlation with tree nut and peanut allergies, though. 50% of those with both tree nut and peanut allergies also have a sesame allergy.

At first, you may think a sesame allergy is pretty easy to navigate, but because it is not a labeled allergen, sesame containing ingredients and foods are hard to identify. “Natural Flavor” is a big red flag for those with sesame allergies (you see that on ingredient labels all the time). Personal hygiene products need to be watched as well. You might not realize that your body lotion contains sesame and inadvertently end up with hives all over your arms! Baked goods are commonly dusted and topped with sesame seeds (or easily cross-contaminated), eating out at ethnic restaurants is very dangerous (Asian, Indian, etc.), and any spice mixture may be contaminated with sesame. Just like any major food allergen, you must be aware and vigilant, especially for those unexpected and sneaky places.Read More

What To Avoid With A Fish Allergy

June 7, 2016 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 20 Comments

Listed as one of the Top 8 food allergens, a fish allergy is one to be educated on. Fish allergies are not the same, nor even in the same family as a shellfish allergy. A fish allergy comprises what are called “finned fish”, i.e. salmon, tuna, flounder, etc. This is one food allergy that usually becomes apparent in adulthood (this could be because babies and children are less liking to be consuming fish in their everyday diet). The onset is usually seen later in life which makes it even more important for you to be aware of. 40% of people have reported that their first reaction occurred in adulthood.

A fish allergy can be triggered at any time, even if you’ve been eating fish for years. It can happen with one type of fish, for example, the salmon you’re having for dinner, but you may have just eaten tuna for lunch and had been fine. However, the case is usually that if you’re allergic to one type of fish, you will have the reaction to another, and thus is advised that you avoid all fish to keep yourself safe. The symptoms of an allergic reaction are the same as any food allergy: hives, rash, trouble breathing, coughing, nausea, cramping, coughing, runny nose, and of course full anaphylaxis which require immediate use of an Epi-Pen and medical care.

There are 20,000+ varieties of finned fish, so of course, the ones listed above are the common ones you’ll most likely come across. As for the “may contain group”, some are obvious (i.e. fish stock), but others like alcohol may have surprised you (it surprised me!). Reading labels and contacting brands and companies is a must in this situation. Although some may be rare, you can’t risk it with a food allergy. On that note, when eating out, make sure you food is cooked separately from any fish or appliances/prep areas where fish is involved (i.e. grills are a big one!).Read More

What To Avoid With A Shellfish Allergy

January 19, 2016 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 39 Comments

Another one of the Top 8 food allergens, a shellfish allergy is extremely dangerous and commonly causes an anaphylaxis reaction. Similar to tree nut and peanut allergies, a shellfish allergy can be one of the most severe and life-threatening. When we talk about the term “shellfish”, we mean seafood in a shell. More defined as crustaceans and mollusks. These allergies are most common in adults. They show up in early adulthood and 60% in later adulthood, and stay with you for life. The symptoms include all of the common food allergy reactions after eating the allergen, including: trouble breathing, caughing, hives, wheezing, itching, throat tightening, swelling, dropped blood pressure, dizziness, increased pulse, fainting, gastro-intestinal distress, and a complete anaphylaxis episode requiring an Epi-Pen and immediate emergency care.

Most importantly, a shellfish allergy is NOT the same as a fish allergy. Many people assume they are and mean the same thing, but there are 2 separate “Top 8” allergens. “Finned fish”, like salmon, tuna, etc. are not in the same family as shellfish and thus being allergic to “fish” is not the same as shellfish. Of course you could be allergic to both, but that is not usually the case. Seeking a definitive answer from a medical professional is crucial concerning this point.

**Also speak with your doctor before ingesting iodine or CT-Scan contrast, as these could be derived from an allergy source.**

There are some circumstances where someone may only be allergic to the crustacean group, not the mollusk group and vise-versa. However, that is very rare and again, requires testing from a medical professional. Cross contamination issues are also very important to be vigilant about. My mother has a severe shellfish allergy, but luckily, no one in my family really consumes shellfish anyway. I don’t eat or cook shellfish (on “finned fish”). Alerting restaurants when eating out about your allergen is obviously a must, especially in Asian restaurants or seafood restaurants.Read More

What To Avoid With A Tree Nut Allergy

September 1, 2015 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 51 Comments

Tree nut allergies are one of the most common and talked about among the Top 8. It is the second most common among infants and children and once acquired is usually a lifelong food allergy, with only 9% of the population ever outgrowing it. This makes it common among adults as well. Tree nut allergies (as well as peanut allergies) can cause severe reactions and even death. Epi-Pens are usually a must with nut allergies and as in some cases even the touch or breath of someone else who has just consumed the allergen could cause a reaction.

Tree nuts should not be confused with peanuts or seeds. Peanuts are legumes (beans), but in some cases a peanut allergy may accompany a tree nut allergy and vise versa. There are many types of tree nuts and you may be allergic to one, two, a select few, or all of them. Coconut is also listed by the FDA as a tree nut, however, it is extremely for someone allergic to tree nuts to be allergic to coconut as it is actually a fruit seed. But coconut can still cause allergic reactions.

Because of the severity of many nut allergies, schools have started to make “nut-free” zones, classes rooms, etc. It causes controversy of course, but safety is most important in these cases. Some people even require an “allergy-detecting” dog that will let them know if the allergic substance is near by or in the room. The only way to stay safe, as with any allergen, is to avoid the allergen (tree nuts) at all costs by reading labels, checking for cross-contamination and processing/manufacturing/facility practices, and keeping the allergens out of the house.

The good news is nut-alternatives have become more mainstream over the years and there are great safe options that can replace those of nuts.Read More

What To Avoid With A Wheat Allergy

June 9, 2015 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 49 Comments

One of the Top 8. A food allergy that also is commonly confused with Celiac Disease or gluten-related disorders. However, a wheat allergy is completely different than any autoimmune disease or reaction to the protein of gluten. For example, someone with a what allergy can still eat rye, but not someone with Celiac. The biggest and most clearly important difference between a wheat allergy and an gluten disorder is that fact that it is a food allergy, and not an abnormal autoimmune reaction.

Wheat Allergy: A food protein stimulates the immune system to overreact, causing an allergic reaction that can have potentially fatal consequences. Symptoms include anaphylaxis, swelling, trouble breathing, hives, itching, cough, rash, shock, etc.

Celiac Disease: An autoimmune response to the protein gluten. This is an immune reaction that triggers an attack on the body, not the protein. Thus, autoimmune and not a food allergy.

If you have a wheat allergy, you are usually safe with all other grains but wheat and its derivatives. (Some people (20%) with wheat allergies, in rare cases, are sensitive to other grains as well.) So here is the list for food names and ingredients to look out for and avoid when you have a wheat allergy (not Celiac disease or gluten disorder).

As you can see, the list is very long, but does not contain the same things as the list of no-gluten. Someone with a wheat allergy can’t have wheat grass, yet it is presumed to be safe for someone with Celiac (although I’m still skeptical and like most Celiacs, stay far away)! So to conclude, a wheat allergy is a food allergy. It may be mild or severe enough and require an Epi-Pen. Celiac Disease is an autoimmune response to gluten, triggering an attack on the body (small intestine) and no Epi-Pen or Benadryl will help!Read More