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Dealing With Multiple Food Allergies

Having a food allergy can be difficult to deal with, imagine what it feels like to those people who have been diagnosed with multiple food allergies. There is hope available that can help individuals with multiple food allergies to cope with them.

The first step is to know which foods you are allergic to and to differentiate between food allergies and food intolerances. A doctor or an allergist can give you an accurate diagnosis regarding your food allergies. Once you have been diagnosed than it is time to plan your treatment.

There are several factors involved in managing your food allergies.

The first factor is avoiding food that contains the food allergens that you are allergic to, the obvious food and the hidden food. You locate hidden food by reading labels and by asking restaurant managers and chefs about what ingredients are in the foods they are serving you. Call ahead to restaurants and tell them you have food allergies, tell them what they are and when you will be dining there, so they can prepare for you.

The next factor is shopping for food. Make sure that you read every label, even if you have purchased the food before, because food manufacturers change the ingredients from time to time and just because you checked previously does not mean that the food item is still the same now. Check each time you buy a product. Ask the manufacturer of a food item if you are unsure, there should be a toll-free number to call on the package.

If the person who has the food allergies is an adult you should be able to purchase regular food for the rest of the family and keep the special food for the one with the food allergies in a separate cupboard or pantry.

The individual with multiple food allergies may be tempted to give up in utter frustration and go hungry...a food strike is NOT the answer. You can find food that you are able to eat safely. Your doctor can guide you to a nutritionalist or a dietician who can help you to locate food and food substitutes that you are able to eat.

The last factor is cooking the food, when someone in your family has multiple food allergies. You need to be careful when preparing or cooking/baking food that you do not cross contaminate food surfaces or utensils. Do not use the same surface, equipment or utensils with different food items as this can leave food residue on the items and the food allergens can get into otherwise safe food this way.

The fact that there are multiple food allergies means that there is a higher chance of making a mistake and ingesting something that you are allergic to. Make sure that you have allergy medication prescribed by your doctor on you at all times, so that you have it in case of emergency. Make sure that you notify all family member, friends, teachers etc., that you have multiple food allergies and what they are. Also make sure that everyone knows what it will look like if you are having an allergic reaction, especially a severe one. Make sure everyone will recognize when you need help and what to do. If you have an emergency kit with you, and you have an Epipen, make sure that your friends, family and teacher knows how to use it, in case you are not able to.

It is possible to eat healthy with multiple food allergies, you just have to be on your toes all the time, and make sure that others around you are aware of your allergies.