Common Food Allergies And Intolerances In Children

Compared to the last decade, more and more kids today are suffering from one or more forms of food allergy or intolerance. And in some cases, even both. As such, the simple tasks of labelling food products that children may be allergic or intolerant to is becoming an important process in many households today.

Difference Between Food Allergy And Food Intolerance

A food allergy is an abnormal response of the body to a certain type of food. If you are allergic to a certain kind of food, your immune system will react to it as though it is toxic. Research estimates that about 6 to 8% of children have food allergies.

Food intolerance, on the other hand, is a reaction to a substance in the food you are eating. Unlike food allergies, food intolerance is not caused by your immune system reacting to the food. Food intolerance reactions are usually less severe than allergic reactions. However, they can still cause a lot of discomfort.

Common Food Allergies And Intolerances
 
Studies show that about 90% of all food allergies are caused by the following foods:

• milk
• eggs
• peanuts
• tree nuts
• shellfish
• fish
• wheat
• soy

Food intolerances are usually caused by the following:

• dairy products (lactose intolerance )
• food additives, including flavour enhancers such as MSG
• citrus fruit
• strawberries
• tomatoes
• red wine and other foods that contain histamines

Info source: www.hippoblue.com.au