1. Allergies

2. The body has an immune system to protect itself from harmful things such as as viruses Food Intolerance is a reproductible unpleasant reaction to a specific substance. Food Allergy is a form of intolerence in which there is evidence of abnormal immunologicalreaction. True food intolerance affects less than 2%of population

3. Sometimes a person’s immune system will react strongly to a particular substance. The person is said to be allergic to this substance.

4. Some allergic reactions cause - Eczema Asthma Skin irritations Headaches Sickness Breathing problems Hyperactivity Mood Changes

5. Some allergies are very serious and may cause an Anaphylactic reaction. This requires adrenalin to treat – in a very short time !.

6. Common Allergic Reactions are from - Nuts Seafood Milk Eggs MSG Food Colourings Yeast Wheat

7. Nuts Certain foods can cause anaphylaxis, with peanuts and other nuts being the most common trigger. This is serious – potentially fatal – it can develop in a few minutes after eating the nuts or being in close contact !

8. Seafood People who are intolerant to fish may react by getting a nettle rash, but it can lead to anaphylaxis in some cases.

9. Milk About 2-3% of infants experience unpleasant symptoms after consuming dairy foods. Milk protein allergy is common in babies but many children grow out of the allergy. People with lactose intolerance cannot digest milk sugar – causing symptoms such as cramps, diahorrea and wind. They should avoid milk but can eat cheese and yogurt because the lactose has been changed to lactic acid.Lactolite is cows milk with the enzyme lactose added. This enzyme digests lactose and changes 95%of it to a more digestible form Children with milk allergy often develop hypersensitivity to other foods especially eggs, soya, peanuts, citrus, fish and other cereals.

10. Eggs A small number are allergic to eggs causing sickness and headaches.

11. Monosodium Glutamate MSG is a flavour enhancer used in protein based dishes – chicken, pork, beef. It is added to many processed foods and to savoury snacks. MSG also forms an important part in Chinese cooking ! Sensitive people may result in having eczema, asthma, nausea and tiredness.

12. Food Colouring Many people particularly children have an allergic reaction to colourings particularly red and yellow. !! ( Tartrazine being the main one ) Causing – asthma, headaches and hyperactivity.

13. Yeast Found in many fruits, bread, wine and beer. These must be avoided by sensitive people. Possible effects are skin irritations, itching, sickness and headaches.

14. Wheat People with Coeliac condition are unable to eat products made from wheat, barley, oats or rye as they are sensitive the protein Gluten ! The small intestine becomes damaged and is unable to digest food properly. The condition is treated removing all food containing wheat flour, oats, rye or barley from the diet. Food labels must be checked carefully to avoid any of the following – breadcrumbs, hydrolysed wheat protein, rusk, wheat bran, wheat flour, germ, wheat germ oil, gluten wheat starch and wheat thickners. The only way to control this condition is to have completely Gluten Free Diet !!

15. Research suggests - It has been suggested that food intolerance plays a part in a no. of chronic western conditions. These include IBS, Rheumatoid Arthritis and possibly Multiple sclerosis. Many sufferers are helped by illiminating – cereals, coffee, milk.

16. TASK – Each 1. Research one of these allergens using books and the internet. 2. Produce a factual and graphic project on the chosen allergen. ( hand in on __________) 3. Your assignment is to include – Cover page, Information on the allergen, statistics, suitable dishes, weekly food plan for the person, state all references, illustrations 4. Plan and prepare a 2 course meal, which is entirely suitable for someone with this allergy. Practical work date ---------

17. Use the following in your research www.Allergy.org www.kidswithfoodallergies.org www.users.globalnet.co.uk www.allergies.about.com www.kidshealth.org www.FoodAllergy.org www.allergy.clinic.co.uk