The Big 8: The food allergies you may not be aware of

Continued from our Retreat & Renew Daily Tip.

Whenever your body has an abnormal response to a certain food, you may have some kind of an allergy. According to the Center for Disease Control, the prevalence of food allergies is on the rise.

Amazingly, the Center for Disease Control (cdc.gov) also reports that although you can be allergic to just about any food, 90% of the population with allergies are triggered by the so-called “Big 8:” wheat, eggs, soy, cow dairy, fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts. Tree nuts are walnuts, cashews, pecans, almonds, etc. And although peanut and tree nut allergies appear to be the most common allergies, seafood wins by a landslide. Nearly seven million Americans are allergic to seafood, whereas 3.3 million Americans are allergic to peanuts or tree nuts.

Keep in mind that allergic levels vary. Mild allergies include hives or a tingling in the mouth, whereas severe allergies can impair or restrict breathing, cause a loss of consciousness, or cause vomiting.

If you’ve had mild reactions to foods, the best thing to try is an elimination diet. Eliminate the Big 8 for several weeks, and then try adding them back, one per week. It will make it much easier to identify!