Ed Rockey, a reader writing in the LA Times, describes how he is allergic to milk, wheat, bananas, raspberries!
A few weeks ago, I recounted how I went out to dinner with a friend who even as we were eating revealed several allergies– sage, tarragon. Several readers contacted me in disbelief. One asked how could I take someone with a food allergy out to a restaurant I was going to review!
Well who knew?
Fact is, the discovery of food allergies is increasing. And some of them can kill you — like the notorious peanut allergy. Only about l percent of Americans are diagnosed with peanut allergy and there’s lots of scoffing about the way the ge
neral population has to put up with peanut bans on airlines, and kids denied peanut butter sandwiches at school. Fact is, a peanut can kill someone who’s allergic to it.
Celiacs often get the same scoffing. Three years ago I took a celiac friend of mine to a restaurant and received a less than enthusiastic reception when she asked for something gluten free.. Subsequently, readers let me know that they were TOTALLY unsympathetic to those who had allergies. It was THEIR fault. Celiac disease is life threatening. Diagnosed celiacs are 1 percent of the US population but apparently there are 97 % of Americans going undiagnosed, and left untreated, celiac disease can lead to auto immune disorders and worse.
The top ten allergies
- Cow’s milk
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soy
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Tree nuts
Now hear the drumbeat for decoding the human genome. Relatively soon, we will individually know what food we should eat and what we should avoid. Be interesting to see the impact on food sales.
Don’t confuse true allergies with food sensitivities. A challenged and confused immune system can perceive anything as an enemy at a given time, especially when it is running on overload. That can mean a rash, a swelling feeling in your gut, even a few sneezes.
A true allergy will have your chest tightening, your throat closing up and you struggling for air.
Peanuts are good to avoid. Those who are lactose intolerant may tolerate casein and can use yogurt that has been incubated 24 hours and has the right probiotic “starter.” Most cheeses aged thirty days or more have also had the lactose consumed. Casein is a different animal but in properly made goat yogurt it’s molecule is denatured.leaving it harmless.
Honey is predigested by bees and does not have to be broken down like refined sugar and syrups.
For celiacs like me, grain’s the pain that should be banished to that plain in Spain.
Gina’ s readers that let her know they have no patience for celiacs should try being one. It didn’t get me until my seventh decade but I follow a fabulous diet where the food is wonderful. (I do best with French cuisine, at places like Midi Bistro and Cafe Leopold.)
http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info