Sticking with your gluten free diet may be challenging but it will be well-worth it in the end. Along with managing your gluten diet, you will want to be aware of the common food allergies. This might be part of the reason that you are not feeling the best. Let’s discuss the four most common allergenic foods which are corn, dairy, MSG and wheat.
Dairy
Most people over the age of 4 are partially unable to digest dairy products. It is estimated that up to 25{7b225fbeff640dd30b4b8b66650188099c7e8b184e2fb5b5b9f806a74d59162d} of children and adults have strong dairy allergies. Human milk, not cow milk, is biologically the only milk that humans can drink. Humans only need breast milk until they triple their birth weight, which is sometime around the age of one. Once a mother’s milk dries up, her child’s milk digesting enzymes will as well. These enzymes, called lactase, will decrease in a child’s body and then disappear completely by the age of 4. In the absence of lactase, milk of any kind is very difficult for humans to digest. The reactions to dairy can include sinus problems, stomach and intestinal cramps, diarrhea, nausea and acne. There are many suitable substitutions for dairy products that do not have allergic effects.
Corn
Fresh corn does not normally cause an allergic reaction. However, when corn is refined into products like corn syrup it can cause problems. Allergic reactions to corn can include migraine headaches, shortness of breath, tongue and face swelling, rashes and hives, lethargy, stomach discomfort and joint pain. Corn syrup sweeteners are used in just about all processed foods. Corn is present in the common sweeteners fructose and dextrose. There are several sweeteners that can be used in replacement of corn syrup, such as barley malt and rice syrup. Avoiding processed foods that contain corn derivatives will improve your health and life.
MSG
MSG is a food additive that tricks your tongue into thinking that the food you are eating is high in protein. It is most commonly associated with Chinese food, but it is actually present in many American processed foods. It is used as a flavor-enhancer in fried chicken, potato chips, canned soup and canned tuna. Allergic reactions can include burning sensations or numbness in the neck, forearms and chest, facial pressure, chest pain, headache, nausea and rapid heartbeat. Avoiding MSG in foods means reading labels very carefully. When you eat out, ask if your meal can be made without MSG.
Some of the other most common allergenic foods are: Alcohol, Artificial Additives (including artificial sweeteners), Beef, Caffeine (Coffee), Chocolate, Citrus, Dried Fruits, Eggs, Fish, Preservatives, Shellfish, Sodas, Soy, Refined Sugar and Yeast.
Many, if not all, of these foods are part of most people’s daily diet. Is it any wonder that we all feel more tired, run down and sick than our predecessors? Now you can see what may be some food allergies for you and your body and start to feel better with the right diet, and just maybe the gluten free diet is the answer for you.
It is important to understand where you are and where you want to be, especially when it comes to losing weight and following the gluten free diet. To learn more about what you can start doing today, visit Diana Walker’s Blog post on Five Reasons To Eat A Gluten Free Diet.
