Half of the top food allergies are eliminated with a vegan diet

Do you have a food allergy?  Does your child? Allergies are impacting a growing number of people.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the incidence of food allergies in kids jumped 18% in the ten-year period between 1997 and 2007.  There’s no known reason for the increase, but one theory is that our obsession with cleanliness, while healthy in some ways, removes bacteria from our environment that could help build strong immune systems.  Another possible explanation is that, since there’s more awareness of food allergies, they are increasingly being reported. 

Whatever the reason, food allergies are on the rise.  According to VegNews magazine, the top eight food allergens in the U.S. are: eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, soy and wheat.  The good news is that a vegan diet eliminates half of these possible allergens: eggs, fish, milk and shellfish.  And it’s very easy to be vegan and avoid wheat, soy and nuts.  A vegan diet focuses on fruits, veggies, beans and grains, and, with the exception of wheat, none of these are top allergens.  And where wheat is concerned, there are so many grain options that don’t include wheat, such as quinoa (keen-wah), which is growing in popularity. 

It’s easy to cook vegan, allergy-free food at home, but what about when you are out and about?  Some restaurants list dishes that are vegan on their menus, and others have this information listed on their websites.  True Food Kitchen in the Scottsdale Quarter and the Biltmore notes after each dish on the menu whether that item is vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free.  Pita Jungle, with locations throughout the Valley, has vegan and allergen charts on its website that details potentially concerning ingredients in each dish.  And California Pizza Kitchen’s website has a vegetarian section that details food choices for different kinds of diets; specifically vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.  When visiting CPK, don’t miss the Japanese Eggplant pizza (without the cheese).  It’s delicious. 

If you think you might have a food allergy, keep track of what you eat by starting a food diary.  I personally love the My Fitness Pal app on the iPhone.  If you can't pinpoint what triggers your allergies, it might be time to contact an allergist.  But be sure to load up on fruits and veggies.  They are delicious, low in calories and fat, and usually allergen-free.