Dietitian for Food Allergies

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For those with food allergies, avoiding the food that causes a reaction can be a daily struggle. From grocery shopping and knowing what foods to avoid to eating out at restaurants, managing food allergies, especially a child’s food allergies, can be challenging.

Registered Dietitians are food and nutrition experts who make managing food allergies easier. Working with clients to develop an eating plan that meets their nutrition needs while fitting into their lifestyle and avoiding allergens is just one of the things Registered Dietitians do..

What Is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist?

A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) is a medical professional who is an expert in food and nutrition. An RDN has completed a minimum of a Master’s Degree, completed a supervised practice internship, and passed a national certification exam. A Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) is an accredited and certified nutritionist.

How to Know if You Have a Food Allergy

Food allergy symptoms can vary from person to person. One person may experience mild symptoms while someone else experiences severe and even life-threatening symptoms from the same food. Some people have multiple food allergies, while others may be allergic to only one food.

Some of the most common symptoms of a food allergy include:

  • Skin reactions such as hives and itching
  • Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
  • Coughing or wheezing and shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Tightness in the throat or trouble swallowing
  • Runny or itchy nose
  • Watering eyes
  • Nausea and/or diarrhea
  • Dizziness or feeling light-headed

If someone suspects a food allergy, they should consult their doctor. A physician can provide a formal diagnosis and required medications (discussed below).

What Are Food Intolerances?

Food intolerances or sensitivities are different than food allergies. A food allergy involves the body’s immune system. Food intolerances involve the digestive system.

A food intolerance typically leads to digestive issues and symptoms such as gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. When someone has a food intolerance and consumes a food they’re intolerant to, they will experience digestive symptoms.

How to Treat Food Allergies

If someone has a true food allergy, they must avoid exposure to that food. Depending on the severity of the allergy, they will need to avoid eating or even touching the food. Some even need to avoid inhaling particles of that food; for example, those with severe peanut allergies must avoid inhaling dust from peanuts.

Reading food labels and understanding commonly used names for the allergen in ingredient lists is critical for someone with a food allergy. The allergen should be listed in the ingredient list and may be listed in the “Contains:” statement that follows the ingredient list.

Someone with a food allergy may also be prescribed an Epinephrine Auto-Injector (also known as an Epi-Pen). An Epi-Pen is needed for those at risk of experiencing a severe allergic reaction. For those who do not have severe reactions, antihistamines may help treat mild food allergy symptoms.

When Should You Meet With a Registered Dietitian?

A Registered Dietitian can help you understand your nutrition needs, what foods you react to, and how to meet your nutrition needs while avoiding food allergens. An RD will work with you to understand your nutrition needs and to develop a nutrition plan that works for you and fits into your lifestyle.

Tips for Successfully Managing Food Allergies

Some of the top skills for managing food allergies include:

  • Knowing the common names of food allergens and how they appear on food labels while reading food ingredient lists to determine if they contain the allergen
  • Reading ingredient lists for all canned goods, boxed foods, prepackaged meals
  • Being confident talking to those in restaurants about a food allergy and advocating for yourself when dining out
  • Knowing where to find food allergen information for restaurants on the internet and reviewing menus and allergens before eating at a restaurant
  • Learning how to prepare meals to avoid food allergy contaminants, even at trace levels
  • Knowing how to reduce the chances of an allergic reaction by cooking with clean cutting boards and knives and regularly cleaning your workstation between ingredients


Conclusion

Managing food allergies doesn’t have to be challenging or scary – particularly for families managing a child’s food allergies. Working with an RDN means you have a food and nutrition expert who can help guide food choices, meal planning, and eating out.

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