Food Sensitivities

Episode Overview:

IN RECENT YEARS, WE’VE SEEN MORE AND MORE NEWS REPORTS OF CHILDREN HAVING SEVERE REACTIONS TO AIRBORNE FOOD ALLERGIES. ARE THESE FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND ALLERGIES AS LIFE THREATENING AS WE’RE LED TO BELIEVE? HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR A FAMILY TO ADJUST TO A CHILD’S ALLERGIES? WHAT CAN AN EXPECTANT MOTHER DO TO HELP LESSEN THE CHANCE OF HER CHILDREN HAVING SOME OF THESE LIFE ALTERNATING SENSITIVITIES? WE’LL FIND OUT ALL THAT AND MORE IN THIS EPISODE.

Partha’s RX:

1. INTRODUCE YOUR CHILD TO NEW FOODS, AND  IF THEY REACT NEGATIVELY, THEY MAY NOT BE ACTING DRAMATIC, IT COULD BE AN ALLERGY. COMMUNICATE WITH THEM ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THE FOOD.

2. BEING SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN FOODS IS NOT ACTUALLY THAT UNCOMMON, AND IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. IF YOU NOTICE THAT CERTAIN FOODS ARE CAUSING YOU DISTRESS, SEEK OUT AN ALLERGIST OR DIETITIAN TO DISCUSS ALTERNATIVES FOR YOUR DIET.

3. SENSITIVITY IS A SPECTRUM. IT CAN RANGE FROM A MILD INTOLERANCE TO A SEVERE ANAPHYLACTIC ALLERGY. BE CONSIDERATE OF THOSE AROUND YOU IF THEY HAVE A SENSITIVITY, AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT THEIR CHOICE, IT’S A DISEASE.

4. SOME SYMPTOMS OF FOOD SENSITIVITIES ARE NOT APPARENT. STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR BODY AND BE MINDFUL AFTER EATING NEW FOODS.

Guests Including:

Nancy Swink – Mother & Allergy Advocate

Laura Budweg – President of Tri-County Celiac Support Group

Naresh Gunaratnam, MD

Ellen Darnell – Registered Dietitian