Food allergies and intolerances

Question 1

Allergy

Answer 1

Hypersensitivity/abnormal immune system response to specific environment substance or conditions

Question 2

Allergy risk factors

Answer 2

 Family history of asthma and allergies
 Genetic predisposition to allergic disease
 Elevated allergen-specific serum immunoglobulin level
 Test for IgE concentrations in blood.
 Being younger than 3 years old

Question 3

Elimination diet

Answer 3

 Avoid allergens for 1 -2 weeks

 Eat low allergen food like rice, fresh meat, poultry, non-citrus fruits, veg

 Vitamin & mineral supplementation may be needed

 Other food added to the diet – one every 4 – 7 days

 Foods likely to cause allergic reaction added last

Question 4

Purpose of elimination diet

Answer 4

 Knowing cause of allergy allows client to lead a healthy, normal life , provided that eliminated food does not affect nutrition

Question 5

Food intolerance

Answer 5

Digestion system response to a substance

Question 6

Common food intolerances

Answer 6

 Lactose intolerance (mainly milk and other dairy
products).

 Gluten intolerance (wheat and other types of grains).

 Sucrose intolerance (sugar, sugar cane and beets).

 Sorbitol malabsorption (sweeteners, some cough syrups and mouth washes).

 Fructose malabsorption (most fruits and some sweet vegetables).

 Fat intolerance (oil, lard and fatty meats)

Question 7

Food intolerance symptom

Answer 7

 Diarrhea, and sometimes constipation.

 Abdominal pains and cramping.

 Nausea after eating a meal laden with the problem substance.

 Excessive belching.

 Abdominal bloating (sensation of fullness) and sometimes distention (enlargement).