Our Boston Caregivers enable seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.
Seniors with food allergies need to be especially careful when they eat. A food allergy could trigger a serious and life-threatening reaction. There are different types of food allergies and many people are allergic to more than one. The list below provides some helpful facts on the types of food allergies and how seniors can manage their allergy issues.
1. Food allergies are the most common types of allergies. These could include an allergy to fish and shellfish, eggs, milk, peanuts and tree nuts, soy and wheat. If a senior has an allergy to one of these foods, they need to know how to manage that allergy and how to deal with the possible reaction if they are exposed to it.
2. There are more than 160 foods that are known to cause allergic reactions. However, 90% of all food allergies are to the foods listed above.
3. Wheat, soy and milk allergies are the most difficult to deal with. This is because these ingredients are in almost everything we eat. Those with wheat allergies need to be on a gluten-free diet. Potato bread is a great substitute for other breads that contain wheat. Soy is in most processed foods, so this allergy is especially hard to manage.
4. No matter what the food allergy is, seniors should make sure that everyone is aware of the allergy. This is important when others are preparing food.
Boston Elder Care enables seniors to live happy, healthy, and independent lives in their own homes.
Seniors often suffer from food allergies and intolerances. It is quite common for seniors to have to battle both of these ailments. This can make things very difficult when trying to maintain a healthy diet. Seniors with allergies and intolerances have to avoid eating certain foods that will trigger a reaction. The best way to battle these conditions is to gather as many facts as possible and alert others to the medical condition. The list that is below contains some important facts for seniors about allergies and intolerances.
1. There are eight foods that account for more than 90% of all food allergies. These include eggs, peanuts, milk, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. Many people can have an anaphylactic reaction when they ingest a food they are allergic to.
2. Anyone with a food allergy or intolerance should know what foods make them ill and do their best to avoid these foods. It is important to make mention of any food allergies to anyone who is preparing food you will be eating.
3. Food allergy symptoms appear almost immediately after eating the food. The symptoms can include itchy nose and throat, watery eyes, shortness of breath or hives. There are many symptoms, but these are the most common.
4. Food intolerance is when the body cannot digest the food components. This is common with foods that contain lactose or sulfides. The symptoms may include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea or nausea. Unlike food allergies, food intolerance is not life-threatening.
5. If you have a food intolerance or allergy, make sure to meet with a dietician to understand what foods you need to avoid. You also need to learn about food ingredients so you know what to watch for. Make sure to read all labels on packaged foods and inform family members and friends of the intolerance or allergy.
