Food allergies, particularly those to milk, soy, nuts and wheat, can be a major issue when it comes to maintaining a proper diet. It’s very hard to get enough calcium when you can’t drink a single glass of milk or eat a milk product! The key here is to talk to your doctor about recommending some healthy substitutions. There are some, such as a milk allergy or a peanut allergy, that are easy to work around with calcium fortified juices and chewable supplements and other sources of protein.
If you have either one of these allergies you should be very careful to keep your food essentially isolated, something which you are undoubtedly already aware of. Many smoothies and “Meals in a Box” contain these ingredients in some quantity or another. The severity of your allergy should be considered when you’re choosing your foods, but if you suffer from anaphylaxis you are going to want to stay clear of them altogether. Choose plain meats and fresh fruits and vegetables over stews and casseroles, and try to avoid gravies if you can’t see the list of ingredients.
Occasionally allergic reactions will be more intense in pregnancy, so if you had a mild reaction to certain foods before you were pregnant you should handle them with care now. Remember, pregnancy is only nine months long. Your body should go back to normal when it’s all said and done and you can go back to your favorite foods and drinks then. Until then, it never hurts to err on the side of paranoia.
If you have an allergy to wheat or soy you may have a bit more trouble, since many of the foods you are going to need to eat to get your servings of carbohydrates are going to contain these ingredients. (Unless you actually have a soy allergy you are probably unaware of how often it’s mixed in with many foods.) You are going to have to carefully read the labels on the foods you eat, checking for any of the following words:
You’ll find these included in many bread products, so it would be prudent to get your carbohydrates from other sources. The list of nutrient sources provides you with some acceptable alternatives, so don’t feel that you have to eat a particular food just because it’s on your list. If you have preexisting health conditions they must be considered first. Many women with a mild milk allergy or wheat allergy will deliberately deal with the side effects in the interest of providing their babies with vital nutrients. Pregnancy is uncomfortable enough without adding to it by making yourself sick!
If you are unsure about which foods can be substituted in your diet without causing you to lose nutritional value make an appointment to speak with the nutritionist at your physician’s office or local health department. They are specially trained to help people with dietary limitations make the right choices for themselves and their baby, and they’ll be happy to give you their expert opinion and help you map out a diet that will work for you.
Food intolerance is another common and yet frequently undiagnosed problem, since most people don’t know the difference between an allergy and an intolerance. If they have the allergy test and it comes back negative they assume they’re imagining things. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Food allergies are determined by your immune system. Your body essentially identifies the incoming food as a foreign invader and releases something called histamine from the cells. These histamines cause the allergic reaction. Intolerance, on the other hand, has nothing to do with the immune system. When there is something that the body is unable to digest properly it rejects it, usually causing digestive discomfort, diarrhea, gas, bloating and vomiting. Although lactose is the most well-known digestive intolerance it is by no means the only one. Vegetables, soy, red meat and certain fruits have been known to cause it as well.
You should avoid foods you have intolerance for as fervently as you would an allergy, since the diarrhea and potential for dehydration with repeated exposure can present you with some serious side effects for both you and your baby. The best thing you can do is find an acceptable substitute that is going to provide you with the necessary nutrients without leaving you feeling as though you need to spend the rest of the day in the bathroom.
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