FOOD A

LLERGIE

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LERANCES

L I FE

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OBJECTIVES• Describe the differences between food

allergies and intolerances.

• Identify the eight most common food allergens.

AGENDA• Lecture Notes

• Cooking Lab

THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

• The immune system is the part of the body that fights infection.

• One way the immune system fights infection is through antibodies. Antibodies: A protein in the body that reacts and attaches to specific substances. Antibodies attach to antigens (a protein or other substance) to make them unable to work and to signal to the immune system that an invasion is taking place.

• The antibodies on basophils (immune system cells in the blood) and mast cells (immune system cells found in other types of body tissues) are called Immunoglobin E, or IgE.

• IgE bind to antigens, which signals the mast cell or basophil to release immune system chemicals to fight the infection.

FOOD ALLERGIES

• Food allergies occur when the body responds to an antigen in food by creating antibodies that attach themselves to this molecule. The binding of antibodies to the antigen causes the immune system to react, which causes the symptoms of a food allergy.

• When someone has a food allergy, it is sometimes called an IgE-mediated food allergy, because that is the type of antibody involved.

SYMPTOMS OF A FOOD ALLERGY

A n a l l e r g i c r e a c t i o n t o a f o o d c a n t a k e f r o m a f e w m i n u t e s t o a f e w h o u r s t o s h o w s y m p t o m s . Symptoms may

include: Swelling of the mouth, lips,

and/or tongue Itchiness in the mouth Rash and/or hives Runny nose Throat tightness Trouble breathing Vomiting, diarrhea, GI pain Anaphylaxis

A n a p h y l a x i s i s t h e m o s t d a n g e r o u s f o o d a l l e r g y r e a c t i o n , b e c a u s e i t c a n r e s u l t i n d e a t h i f n o t t r e a t e d q u i c k l y . Anaphylaxis Symptoms

include: Drop in blood pressure Hives, itching, swelling of

the mouth, lips, tongue Difficulty swallowing Constriction of the airway,

which can cause wheezing, difficulty breathing

Weak or rapid pulse Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea Dizziness or fainting EpiPen injections should be

followed by a trip to the ER.

MOST COMMON FOOD ALLERGENS

While an allergy can develop to almost any food or ingredient, these are the 8 most common food allergies:1. Milk2. Eggs3. Peanuts4. Tree nuts 5. Fish 6. Shellfish 7. Soy8. Wheat

FOOD INTOLERANCE

A food intolerance is a reaction to a food that is not IgE-mediated.

Some food intolerances that you may encounter are: Celiac disease - is a reaction to gluten that results in the immune

system attacking the lining of the gut. Treatment – remove gluten from the diet (wheat, rye, oats, &

barley)

Lactose intolerance - when a person makes little or no lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose.

Treatment - avoid foods with lactose (dairy products)

LET’S GET COOKING!

In today’s lab each kitchen will prepare a different recipe that is an allergy free alternative to a recipe that commonly contains allergens.

Alfredo Pasta – Dairy & Wheat

Caesar Salad with Crouton – Dairy, Fish, & Wheat

Granola Bars – Peanuts, Tree Nuts & Soy

Brownies – Eggs, Dairy, Wheat, & Tree Nuts