Food allergies are becoming more and more predominant as the way it’s packaged continues to evolve. Throw in the fact that scientists are actually researching more ingredients that go into making foods and it’s not a big surprise that we all tend to have some allergy in regards to food. Let’s take a quick look at five of the most common.
Milk
Many people may know that they’re allergic to milk. However, they may not realize that milk is used in many packaged foods. Just avoiding milk, butter, and cheese won’t get the job done. You’ll want to look at the label of products like hot dogs, non-dairy creamer, deli meats, and tuna to see if there is milk on the ingredients list.
Eggs
Another common allergy, the protein that is found within eggs tends to cause an allergic reaction. Some can eat egg whites without getting sick. Others may be fine eating the yolk without getting sick. Others may need to avoid both. You should check the label on pasta, foam toppings, mayonnaise, marshmallows, ice cream, and salad dressing.
Wheat
Wheat is another common allergy that is found mostly in children under the age of 12. However, some adults who have undergone allergen testing have shown positive results. Wheat allergies can sometimes be mistaken with a gluten allergy, so undergoing testing can be a big timesaver in determining the cause of the condition. Wheat can be hidden in many packaged foods including candy, soy sauce, beer, and imitation crab meat.
Peanuts
Peanuts tend to be on food that causes some nasty allergic reactions. These tend to turn into life-threatening allergies that cause anaphylaxis. Most people who are allergic to peanuts are also allergic to tree nuts. Some foods to avoid include egg rolls, chili, and ice cream. Since such a small amount can cause severe problems, it’s best to avoid any food that was produced in a factory that uses peanuts. Cross-contamination is a big concern when it comes to this item.
Soy
Just like other types of allergies, it’s the protein present in the soy that causes the symptoms. You’ll locate soy in many vegetarian dishes, so you should be sure to read the food label on any vegetarian foods that you’re considering purchasing. Other foods with soy include canned tuna, peanut butter, and tofu.
Food allergies can cause a range of reactions from stomach aches to anaphylaxis. It’s best to pay attention to what companies have conducted allergen testing on their products to point out the potentials for consumers. The above are just five of the most common allergies but there are many more.