#6 Hidden Food Allergies & Cravings

June 21, 2010 By 1 Comment

One of the most troubling aspects of hidden food allergies is that we tend to crave what we are allergic to. As you scanned over the list of allergens on the previous page, did you recognize any of your favorite foods? If you have been experiencing some of the symptoms of allergies, you may be creating these allergic reactions through the foods you eat.

Diana Walker provides delicious, nutritious and easy Gluten-free recipes and foods at Diana’s Healthy Gluten Free Whole Foods Lifestyles

The body is not logical. It does not make sense for your body to crave a food that causes a harmful allergic reaction. However, the key to why you crave the foods that harm you lies in the chemical reactions that take place in the body.

Remember that when you eat an allergen, you cause a reaction in your body that produces histamines. The histamines are a side effect of your antibodies fighting the allergen. Simply put, histamines make you feel good. They are damaging to your organs and your system, but they also release a soothing effect on the body.

When you crave an allergen, you are craving that soothing effect that the histamines release. You are unknowingly seeking out foods that are causing your antibodies to release histamines. That is why cravings can seem uncontrollable at times. There is a physical craving as well as an emotional craving for these allergenic foods.

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach

Diana Walker provides delicious, nutritious and easy Gluten-free recipes and foods at Diana’s Healthy Gluten Free Whole Foods Lifestyles


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#5 What should I know about Dairy, Corn & MSG for my Gluten Free Diet?

June 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dairy, Corn and MSG are very common and very possible for you to be allergic to dairy, corn and MSG.

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 sicker 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.

Diana Walker provides delicious, nutritious and easy Gluten-free recipes and foods at Diana’s Healthy Gluten Free Whole Foods Lifestyles

Dairy

Most people over the age of 4 are partially unable to digest dairy products. It is estimated that up to 25% 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.

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach

Diana Walker provides delicious, nutritious and easy Gluten-free recipes and foods at Diana’s Healthy Gluten Free Whole Foods Lifestyles

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#4 Gluten Free Diet & Determining what Common Food Allergies are

June 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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.

Diana Walker provides delicious, nutritious and easy Gluten-free recipes and foods at Diana’s Healthy Gluten Free Whole Foods Lifestyles

Human milk, not cow milk, is biologically the only milk that humans can drink. In the absence of lactase, digesting enzymes, 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.

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.

MSG is a food additive that tricks your tongue into thinking that the food you are eating is high in protein. Allergic reactions can include burning sensations or numbness in the neck, forearms and chest, facial pressure, chest pain, headache, nausea and rapid heartbeat.

Some of the other most common allergy causing 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.

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach

Diana Walker provides delicious, nutritious and easy Gluten-free recipes and foods at Diana’s Healthy Gluten Free Whole Foods Lifestyles


Filed Under: Cravings Weightloss, Gluten Free Diet Tagged With: ,