There is Hope for People With Food Allergies

Food allergies are a very real problem to many Americans. When allergies go untreated they can become much worse. People with food allergies need to be able to identify and prevent them. Some foods can cause severe illness and in some cases, it can be life-threatening because the allergic reaction constricts the airways in the lungs, it can cause extremely low blood pressure and can cause suffocation by the swelling of the tongue or throat. It is estimated that approximately 12 million Americans have food allergies of one type or another which affects adults as well as children. Some of the most common food allergies in adults are: fish, eggs, milk, shellfish(such as, shrimp, crayfish, lobster, crab), peanuts, walnuts, and sesame seeds. The most common in children are milk, eggs, and peanuts.

There does not seem to be a cure for food allergies at this time, more research is needed. Most doctors will tell you to simply avoid any and all forms of the food to which you are allergic. However, that may be easier said than done. Especially if you have multiple food allergies.

There are many medical conditions that are thought to be associated with food allergies. These conditions can be respiratory (hay fever, asthma, bronchitis, sinus conditions, rhinitis, hoarseness); digestive; cerebral (headaches, dizziness, sleep disorders, learning disorders, tension-fatigue syndrome, foggy thinking, depression); skin-related (dermatitis, eczema, hives, rashes); or some are related to other body systems (arthritis, urinary irritation, edema, hypoglycemia, diabetes, overweight, underweight, fatigue) and that's just a few of the conditions.

What is the cause of food allergies? Some doctors say it can be heredity, some say repeated exposure to the same foods, especially in large quantities, could be a reason for allergies, and some say that the most common cause of multiple food allergies is increased intestinal permeability. You need to see a specialist and if you don't get the help you need find another doctor who will help you.

I had food allergies for approx. 30 years so I know what it is like. I went to a specialist and was told to fast for 4 days and then the doctor ran some tests, and he decided that I was allergic to beef. His solution was to not eat any beef for about 3 months or so, and then just have a serving once a week. So I stopped eating it altogether for over a year and it did not help. I had really bad rashes on my legs and arms, some open sores that varied in sizes, and the itching was unbearable at times. I went back and his response was that he really had no clue. So I decided I would have to figure it out on my own. I started eliminating different foods, tried every kind of anti-itching cream and every kind of over the counter pills, sometimes it would ease it a little but it never stopped. I just decided that I was going to be this way for the rest of my life. Living with allergies like that, doesn't make for much of a life. Anyway, I am free of those allergies now, no matter what the cause was at the time. I believe in the power of prayer, that there is one true God that hears and answers. I know that he freed me and he can free you too. But no matter what you believe you need to seek help and as soon as possible. Don't give up! There is hope and there is help for people with allergies.

There are resources and support groups, as well as cookbooks for anyone with food allergies. Below are a few recipes that you might like to try.

Soy Muffins

1 ½ cups of Soy Flour
2 tsp. of Baking Powder
1 tsp. Salt
Sift and Mix these together and then very thoroughly cream 2 Egg Yolks along with 3 tbsp. Brown or Raw Sugar and 1 tbsp. melted Butter.
Add slowly 1 cup of Milk and pour it into dry ingredients.
Then add ¼ C. Raisins and ¼ C. chopped Nuts. Fold in 2 Egg Whites beaten stiff. Pour into greased muffin tins and bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees F.
This will make some really delicious light and fluffy muffins.

Oatmeal Cookies

Take 2 C. of Rolled Oats with ½ C. of Margarine put them in a frying pan and cook until they are a golden brown. Let cool. While it is cooling, cream ½ C. Butter or Margarine with 1 C. Sugar then add 2 beaten Eggs, ½ C. nuts (optional) and the rind of 1 Lemon. Add to the toasted oats. Drop in small spoonfuls of a greased cookie sheet and bake until light brown. Temperature should be 350 degrees.

You might want to try one of these yeast free diets:

Prune Bread

Mix together ½ C. of Rice or Soy Flour, 1 C. of Corn Meal, 4 Tsp. of Baking Powder, 1 tsp. Salt, and 1 C. of Prunes (soaked, pitted and sliced. Then mix 1 tbsp. melted Shortening, 1 C. Milk, ¼ C. Molasses and combine with flour mixture. Let stand in a greased bread pan 25 minutes, and then bake slowly for approx. 1 hour. Oven Temperature should be set at 350 degrees.

Diet Bread from Oats

Beat 2 C. of Water with 2 tbsp of Oil then add ½ lbs. of Rolled Oats and so much Oat Flour until you can handle it. Then work in 2 tsp. of Baking Powder and some Salt if desired. Form flat, round cakes and bake in a moderate oven for ½ hour or until done.