Food Allergy & Dietary Restriction Education

Lactose intolerance occurs when the body has difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products. Symptoms can include bloating, diarrhea, and stomach cramps after consuming dairy. Unlike a dairy allergy, which involves the immune system's reaction to proteins found in milk and dairy products, such as casein and whey, lactose intolerance is a digestive issue.

A gluten-free diet eliminates gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, and is typically a choice for people with gluten sensitivity or personal preference. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where consuming gluten triggers a harmful immune response that damages the small intestine. While both require avoiding gluten, celiac disease is a medical condition that demands strict adherence to a gluten-free diet for health reasons.

Eliminates soybeans and all foods containing soy by-products, such as soy milk, tofu, and soy sauce. A soy allergy can lead to symptoms like stomach cramps, vomiting, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

No consumption of meat, but may include dairy, eggs, and other animal by-products. Some vegetarians also avoid all by-products of animal slaughter.

Excludes all animal products, including dairy, eggs, meat, and fish. Vegan diets also avoid by-products like honey or gelatin.

Shellfish allergy is different from seafood allergy. Shellfish (lobster, crab, shrimp, clams, oysters, etc.) can cause reactions like mouth and throat itching, lip swelling, hives, and skin redness. Fish (like tuna or cod) is not considered a shellfish allergen.

A peanut allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies peanuts as harmful, triggering a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can range from mild hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis, and even trace amounts of peanuts can cause a reaction. People with peanut allergies must avoid peanuts and foods that may have been contaminated with peanuts.

A tree nut allergy is a reaction to nuts that grow on trees, such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pistachios. Like peanut allergies, tree nut allergies can cause severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, and even cross-contact with tree nuts can be dangerous. Individuals with tree nut allergies must avoid all nuts from tree sources and be cautious of cross-contamination in foods.