Hypoallergenic food is less likely to cause allergic reactions and is used in elimination diets. Some foods are naturally hypoallergenic, while others are manufactured without common allergens. It is important to consult a doctor or specialist for a suitable diet, and hypoallergenic food is also available for pets.
Hypoallergenic food is food that is unlikely to cause allergic reactions. It is used in elimination diets which are used to pinpoint the causes of food allergies and is sometimes recommended for parents of young children, especially children in a family with a history of food allergies. Many foods are naturally hypoallergenic and easy to incorporate into a hypoallergenic diet, and it is also possible to find manufactured food products produced by companies that specialize in hypoallergenic foods. These foods tend to be expensive and are available in large grocery stores and health food stores.
Some people find the term “hypoallergenic” confusing, because they think it means that something hypoallergenic will not produce an allergic reaction. In fact, “hypo” just means “less,” so hypoallergenic foods are less likely to produce allergic reactions. This means that someone could still have allergies to hypoallergenic foods, especially if that individual had a very obscure allergy or extremely high sensitivity level.
Packaged foods that are designed to be hypoallergenic are made without the use of common allergens such as wheat, tree nuts, soy, seafood and dairy products. Ideally, hypoallergenic food is produced in a facility that does not handle any of these elements, to avoid the risk of cross-contamination. Some foods can eliminate grains that contain gluten, along with corn, mangoes, eggplants, tomatoes, and other foods that are commonly linked to allergic reactions.
Naturally hypoallergenic foods include rice, apples, pears, beans, lamb and most vegetables. In the case of a person with a suspected food allergy, a doctor will usually provide a list of safe foods that are consumed by the patient for several weeks before he or she slowly returns to the diet. When an allergic reaction occurs, it can be traced back to a particular food, thus identifying the allergen.
Some parents use hypoallergenic foods for very young babies, fearing that early exposures to potential allergens could trigger an immune system response to develop, thus making the baby allergic. For this reason, peanut butter, for example, cannot be offered to children. Parents should definitely consult an allergy specialist about a suitable diet for their children, as more information about allergies is always being discovered.
Humans aren’t the only ones who sometimes need hypoallergenic food. Pets and animals sometimes develop reactions to food allergens, and several companies make foods suitable for pets on a hypoallergenic diet.
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