What is a food allergy?
You might be forgiven for thinking that everyone has a food allergy these days. But don't panic - they don't. Allergies to food are still rare and it's thought that around just 1-2% of adults and only 5-8% of children in the UK actually have a true food allergy.
So, what happens if you have an allergy? Your body reacts badly to a particular substance, or ‘allergen', when your immune system mistakenly identifies the substance as harmful. And that's what makes you unwell.
The first time you come into contact with the allergen there probably won't be a reaction. But don't be fooled, because once your body has developed sensitivity the allergic reaction can produce symptoms like sneezing and wheezing and even vomiting and diarrhoea.
After that, just a tiny amount of the allergen can trigger a reaction and repeated exposure can increase your sensitivity. If this happens to you then the best possible advice is to stay away from the allergen completely, because at this point a previously mild reaction can suddenly become life threatening.
The most extreme form of allergic reaction is called ‘anaphylactic shock' or ‘anaphylaxis' and if this happens, adrenaline must be administered immediately.
This is why it's so important to remove the allergen from your diet following diagnosis by your doctor.
Here are some of the most common allergens:
- Cereals containing gluten e.g. wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt
- Crustaceans e.g. lobster, crab, prawns
- Egg
- Fish
- Peanuts
- Milk e.g. cow's, goat's, sheep's
- Nuts e.g. almond, hazelnut, walnut, cashew and pistachio
- Soya
- Sesame
- Celery
- Mustard
- Sulphur dioxide and sulphites (used as a preservative)
What is a food intolerance?
Food intolerance is now properly known as Non Allergic Food Hypersensitivity.
Having an intolerance to a particular food means that your body doesn't have enough of the chemicals or enzymes needed to fully break it down and digest it. Unlike the more serious food allergies, an intolerance doesn't involve the immune system and its effects are rarely life threatening. The severity of symptoms usually relates to the amount of food ingested - the more you eat, the worse you feel.
Food intolerances are notoriously difficult to diagnose, but the symptoms - such as headaches, bloating or diarrhoea - generally appear hours or days after eating the culprit food.
It's important to remember that symptoms of food intolerance can be very similar to other illnesses so be cautious about self-diagnosis. If you think your symptoms are caused by an allergy, visit your GP and ask for a referral to your nearest allergy specialist.
Vanessa Hattersley, Asda's Head Nutritionist, says, ‘Eliminating whole food groups from your diet, such as dairy products, can be damaging to your health. Children, in particular, need plenty of calcium and dairy foods are one of the best sources. If you suspect that you or your child has an intolerance, consult your doctor before you make any dietary changes'.
Some common intolerances
Coeliac disease
This is an intolerance to gluten, a type of protein found in cereals like wheat, rye, barley and oats. Coeliac disease is a serious food intolerance requiring complete exclusion of gluten from the diet. Products labelled ‘wheat free' may contain gluten from other cereals, so always look out for ‘gluten free' on labels.
Lactose intolerance
Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and dairy products, which can't be properly digested by people with lactose intolerance. Up to 20% of the UK adult population could be lactose intolerant. Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate a small quantity, about the amount in half a pint of milk.
More information
ASDA knows that customers shopping for allergen-free products want to shop safely and quickly without checking every single label. With this in mind, the Free From range offers store cupboard basics and family favourites. Click here for information about the ASDA Free From range.
Allergy UK is the country's leading national medical charity dealing with allergy and can provide up to date information on all aspects of allergy, food intolerance and chemical sensitivity. Visit Allergy UK at www.allergyuk.org.
The Anaphylaxis Campaign is the only UK charity to exclusively meet the needs of people at risk from severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). For free information or to find out about becoming a member visit www.anaphylaxis.org.uk.