Food Allergy Relief: Information to Keep you Healthy and Safe!
Food allergy relief is a specialty of mine. I've been living with dairy, egg, peanut and beef allergy all my life. Twenty four years ago, when my daughter turned three months old, I realized she too had food allergies. Our story and journey can be found in Fresh Start: A Guide to Healthy Living. I'll tell you this, it wasn't easy. There wasn't as much information then as there is now. And the medical community was not overly supportive of alternatives. Eventually, I found I could eat four foods that Megan didn't react to. I lost a lot of weight on such a limited diet. But by nursing 100% I was able to build her a better diet as she grew stronger. By the time she was 16 months and eating solids I knew what she could and couldn't have. Until, her first anaphylactic reaction, then I was back to square one and dealing with a whole new set of challenges.
I share this because I want you to know I come from a place of understanding. Living with food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances is life altering. When it is your child you feel like you have no control and that no one understands. I do because I've been there. This is the reason I created: I want you to benefit from my experience and earned knowledge by helping you raise a happy, healthy child. I want to help you weather this storm, whether it's for yourself, your child or another family member or friend, because it's easier when you aren't alone. In the healing kitchen you'll find encouragement, answers and friends. This website is interactive. I am placing forms throughout its pages for you to comment on. Ask questions, vent, leave tips for others and create a community. It doesn't have to be about allergies, it can be on how you are finding the Cures in Your Cupboard or requesting a specific topic be covered. When the most basic of life's necessities; food, can hurt you, it can be overwhelming and lonely. Reach out, you never know, you might be helping someone else at the same time. Now What's The Next Step?What's the next step? The joy of finding out just how much you can eat!Change is scary. Routine feels familiar and normal. Eating the same way you have always eaten feels comfortable. Even though it may cause a food allergy symptom it still feels like you’ve made the choice. Basically, it’s discomfort with no surprises. It’s still discomfort though and if you are one of over 2 million people suffering with food allergies change may be your only choice.
My daughter had her first major allergic reaction at 10 months. I had no idea what was happening accept that she was breaking out in hives and scratching her skin raw. We went for a long walk in the cool air and after about 30 minutes the hives began to calm down. Later, I realized she had touched the raw egg I was mixing into muffins. That’s all it took. Megan had a food allergy reaction. This is a histamine-mediated, immediate response. Her body recognized a foreign body, the egg, and wrongly interpreted it as a toxin. Not all food allergy reactions are so dramatic or as immediate. Some reactions are caused by food sensitivities, which can take up to two or more days to manifest.
Food Allergy and Sensitivity Symptoms
can vary from swelling in the throat to pain in the joints. They can involve any part of the body: And manifest as: So what do you do when you aren’t sure what food or foods you're allergic or sensitive to?
My husband is a naturopathic physician with a successful practice specializing in Digestive Health and naturally, allergies and asthma. In our clinic we see many people suffering from food allergies and/or sensitivities. Not just children but mid lifers as well who have never experienced an allergic reaction before. Kids adapt fairly well to a change in diet, adults find it a bit more of a challenge. Fortunately, there is relief for those with delayed reactions as well as immediate reactions. It all comes down to two very basic principles: We call it the Threshold Theory (Link to Threshold Theory) and it is the foundation of any natural treatment (link to natural treatment for allergy) for allergy relief.
When we began seeing more and more people in our clinic that were dealing with allergies, I decided to put together a guide that would lead people through the maze of label reading, menu planning and food preparation. The book is called Fresh Start and it is all about making a fresh start that is allergy free and brimming with vibrant, good health. I know from experience that eliminating favorite and familiar foods from the diet is challenging; especially when it comes to reading those impossibly difficult-to-understand food labels. A Fresh Start not only teaches you how to become a Food Label Detective but it also provides simple to use and delicious recipes. A Fresh Start also outlines the TACS program for dealing with food allergies and food sensitivities. When Megan was growing up we didn’t have the resources like you'll find in this guidebook. I researched, studied and with the help of my husband came up with a protocol that worked. It’s called the Total Allergy Control System. TACS can be used to naturally treat (Link to Natural Treatment for food allergy) those with food allergies and food sensitivities. It uses the Threshold Theory as a foundation and focuses on:
Recent studies show that the number of children developing peanut and tree nut allergies is on the rise. These are serious life threatening allergies. Schools now have peanut or nut free zones, peanuts are not given out on airplanes and many products are now well labeled ‘peanut or nut free’. Those are the more obvious allergies, what about the child who develops eczema for apparently no reason or the kid with behavior or learning challenges. What about chronic ear infections or asthma? All of these childhood conditions are on the rise. In fact, twenty years ago three ear infections a year was thought above normal, now doctors say 12 a year is normal. That’s quite the difference. Just remember, normal is relative and it doesn't mean it's okay! The best place to start to avoid developing allergies or sensitivities is when your child is a baby. It’s so much easier to control what goes in their mouths and to avoid creating bad eating habits. But: It can be challenging deciding what foods your child should start eating. You want to begin by giving him foods that have the lowest allergen potential. But which ones are those? The book also provides scientifically based research on how to lower your child’s risk of developing allergies. Here are a few more topics from The Natural Baby’s First Year: This book has sixty-seven pages of information and resources you can use to ensure your baby has the best chance at avoiding allergies. We’ve made The Natural Baby’s First Years simple to order and download. Just use the paypal button below. Don’t worry, paypal is the most secure method of payment on the internet. Once the transaction has been complete you’ll receive the book in an easy to read and interactive pdf file. What’s even better then getting the information and resources you need to optimize your infants health? A one-year money back guarantee. Don’t find the information useful? Can’t use the recipes? No problem, return the file and your money will immediately be refunded. I feel that confident that you’ll love the book and find the information a lifesaver. We wanted to make purchasing The Natural Baby’s First Years as simple, easy and helpful as possible. That’s why we offer it at only $2.95 with a 100% money back guarantee. If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sister or brother, this book will help your wee bundle live in optimal wellness; allergy-symptom-free.
Hi, I wanted to let you know how important the information in this book was to my daughter and our family. It helped us successfully navigate her food allergies and anaphylaxis. By gathering resources from medical journals, naturopathic doctors, holistic medical doctors and experience, I created a guide to help other parents raise healthy and happy babies and lower the risk of allergies or sensitivities developing. Our family’s story is briefly shared in The Natural Baby’s First Years. It’s a journey from almost loosing our daughter to watching her grow into a healthy, intelligent and athletic woman. The Natural Baby’s First Years has the information you need to help you take action and take control of your baby’s health. There is no risk and only tremendous benefits. When you see the healthy outcome…..twenty years later…..it will all be worth it! Healthy Living, Beth Hendry-Yim |
The Facts About Food Allergies, Sensitivities and Intolerances
| What Does It Mean? Food Allergy-An exaggerated immune response triggered by a specific food. Symtpoms may ocur immediately or up to two hours after exposure. Food Sensitivity-A delayed reaction to a food or combination of foods. Symptoms may affect any part o fthe body so are harder to pinpoint than a food allergy. Food sensitivity testing or elimination diet may be indicated. Food Intolerance-An inability of the body to break down certain foods. They fall into four categories:
*Gluten Intolerance *Dairy Intolerance *Fructose Intolerance *Yeast Sensitivity
Food intolerances and/or sensitivities may be caused by Leaky Gut Syndrome. Getting yourself on the right diet can result in resolution or remission of the condition. |
For those with Life Threatening Anaphylactic Reactions always carry an Epi Pen with you. This is a demo video on administering the life saving shot.
Keep in mind, that many people do not have time to administer the Epi Pen themselves, so always make sure friends and family know how to use the device!
Also ensure your family knows the order in which to administer drugs and get help! (I speak from experience)
1. Administer Epi Pen
2. Call for assistance
3. Administer liquid Benadryl
| Food Allergy Testing There are a variety of tests for determining allergic foods, sensitivities and intolerances. Here is a short list: *Skin Scratch Test *Elisa Blood Test *Rast *Electro Acupuncture *Antibody Blood Test Each one has its pros and cons and some that should never be tried without medical supervision. |
When my journey with my daughter began the only authoritative voice who understood was Dr. Doris Rapp.
She spoke loudly about the connection between foods and behavior in children. She also spoke of hidden food allergies that don't always manifest immediately.
This is from a 1989 Phil Donahue program. I remember watching it and wishing I had taped it. I'm glad someone thought to post it on Youtube.