8 common foods that cause allergic reactions

Almost any food can provoke an allergic reaction, but most our cause by a small list. The following is a list of eight foods that account for 90 percent of allergic reactions.

1. Milk and milk products

• Main foods: dairy products, such as milk, cheeses, yogurt, cream, ice cream, cream soups and certain baked goods and desserts.
• Hidden sources: deli meats cut on same slicer as cheese, some canned tuna, nondairy products and prepared meats.

2. Eggs (especially egg whites)

• Main foods: cakes, mousses, ice cream, sherbets and other desserts; mayonnaise, salad dressings, French toast, waffles and pancakes.
• Hidden sources: toppings on desserts, some egg substitutes, processed and cooked pasta (e.g., in soup).

3. Soy and soy products

• Main foods: soy, soybeans, tofu, textured vegetable protein, hydrolyzed ­protein, miso, soy sauce, tamari, tempeh, natural and artificial ­flavours, vegetable broth and vegetable starch.
• Hidden sources: soy products are a major ingredient in processed foods.

4. Wheat and wheat products

• Main foods: cereals, bread or bread-related products, dry soup mixes, cakes, pasta, gravies, dumplings, products containing flour; beer and ale.
• Hidden sources: some hot dogs, ice cream, imitation crab and imitation meats.

5. Peanuts

• Main foods: peanuts and peanut oil, peanut butter, peanut flour, baked goods and candy with nuts, natural flavouring. It is wise to avoid all nuts.
• Hidden sources: many candies, sunflower seeds, African, Chinese, Mexican, Thai and Vietnamese food.

6. Tree nuts

• Main foods: candy and baked goods with pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts and pistachios; oils from nuts.
• Hidden sources: natural and artificial flavours, barbeque sauce, some cereals, crackers and ice cream.

7. Fish

• Main foods: fresh, canned, smoked or pickled fish, fish-liver oils, caviar and foods containing fish, such as bisques, broths and stews.
• Hidden sources: Caesar salad dressings and imitation crab.

8. Shellfish

• Main foods: crustaceans, such as shrimp, crab, lobster and crayfish; mollusks, such as clams, oysters and scallops; and seafood dishes.
• Hidden sources: Caesar salad dressings and imitation crab.

Severe allergic reactions to foods can result in anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening collapse of the respiratory and circulatory system. If you have had, or believe you may be susceptible to, an anaphylactic reaction, you should wear medical identification and carry emergency medical information in your wallet. Your doctor may also recommend that you carry an epinephrine self-injector (Epi-Pen).