Christine Nyholm's Blog
Posted by Christine Nyholm
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Posted by Christine Nyholm
Thanksgiving is a holiday of gatherings over dinner with family and friends. People with food and chemical allergies need to exercise the same caution that they do everyday when eating unfamiliar foods.
Home made food is probably the safest food there is for people with food allergies, but the allergic still need to verify the sources of ingredients and inquire about hidden components in foods. This can be tricky when you aunt brings her famous home made mashed potatoes and gravy or home made stuffing.
At many dinner tables, home made is not made from scratch anymore, not like the food our grandmothers probably prepared. Prepared foods, packaged mixes and frozen foods get served on the fine china, right next to the turkey, which is probably the safest food on the table. Add to that the problem that not everyone will admit that their contribution to the dinner table came from the grocery store instead of being lovingly made from hand.
Foods that allergic people have to watch out for depend upon their individual allergies. Many people with allergies and food sensitivities find that they can tolerate a small amount of a allergen without a problem.
People who have reactions to MSG and Sulfites always need to take care with packaged, canned and frozen foods. If the stuffing and gravy is made with a packaged mix, it likely contains MSG. Many canned and frozen foods contains sulfites and/or MSG. Sulfites on Foods Cause Allergic Reactions
People with milk allergies should take care with the mashed potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie. The stuffing may contain nuts, dried fruits and other unfamiliar ingredients.
People with wheat allergies already know to avoid the baked rolls, stuffing and pie crust.
Some people get defensive when asked about how food was prepared, not understanding how important it is for you to know. Try to probe politely if you are concerned about the ingredients.
Depending upon what foods you, or your children, are allergic to, Thanksgiving may be one of the safer meals you can eat. Personally, I avoid the most likely offenders, such as the gravy, stuffing and green bean casserole, or just have a small portion to taste.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
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Posted by Christine Nyholm
Allergies are an immune system disorder that sometimes limits the activities of the allergic person. As Halloween is on our doorstep, I am reminded of some of the hazards of this popular holiday. Parents of children with allergies let them go trick or treating, or to parties, hoping that the children will know enough to say no to questionable foods and drinks.
Costumes themselves can cause allergic reactions. I have personally had a severe reactions, on separate occasions, to green face paint and to a costume that had been languishing in an attic too long.
The furry cute costume harbored dust and who knows what else. Even though we tumbled is in the clothes drier, the musty smell remained. I knew enough to say no, but my future mother-in-law assured me it was okay. She was well meaning, but I allowed her to talk me into something, even though I knew better.
One of the troubles with exposure is that allergic reactions do not go away immediately after the offending substance is removed. After the disastrous skunk costume fiasco, I was sick for a week.
Allergic reactions can progress into full blown respiratory episodes and even into bronchitis. Skin reactions can cause itching and swelling that takes days to go away.
Halloween fun often includes mysterious foods, colored with food dyes to make unnatural orange cupcakes and black frostings. Candies themselves may harbor allergens, such as peanuts. Peanut Allergies in Children Require Vigilance
Children and adults need to take care of themselves when taking part in this holiday, when foods and refreshments of unknown origins may be served. Halloween Food Allergy Safety Tips
Watch out for allergens in costumes, foods and refreshments. Allergic People Take Care on Halloween
Posted by Christine Nyholm
Allergies are an immune disorder that impacts the quality of life for people who suffer from symptoms. The disorder causes symptoms that range from irritating to severe and life threatening.
People that do not suffer from allergies do not understand how uncomfortable they can be. To add insult to injury, sometimes allergy sufferers are told that the symptoms are 'all in the head.'
Allergic people often are limited in their daily activities, having to curtail their outdoor activities and recreation. Often allergic people have to avoid foods, that they would dearly love to eat. When people have to avoid certain activities and foods, it can have a negative effect upon their social interactions because others think they are being fussy, rather than protecting their very health.
The allergy sufferer who is allergic to the ingredients in pizza, for example, knows that they will pay dearly for giving in to peer pressure to partake in a social meal of that delicious pie. Eight Common Food Allergens and Hidden Sources
People with allergies are best armed with information. A qualified allergist can conduct tests to help identify the cause of allergic reactions. Allergic people often have multiple sensitivities. Allergens are very often ingredients in hidden sources.
Food, pollens, cleaning products, chemicals, dust, medications and environmental factors can all cause allergic symptoms.
I have had allergies for years and had desensitizing drops where they were still brand new. For me the best tool was to identify the source of the problems, with the help of an excellent allergist. Avoidance of allergens is the best line of defense for me.
Allergy medications help to control the symptoms. When I first started on allergy medication, the prescriptions were too sedating and made me feel tired all the time. Newer over-the-counter medication help to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms without the excessive side effects.
It is up to the allergy sufferer to monitor their symptoms and control their environment factors. Self care is important for the person who has allergies. Sometimes self-care means saying no to peers in social and work situations.
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