Peanuts are a common food allergen and can be hidden in many foods. Learn more about what foods and products to avoid.

Tree nuts include macadamia nuts, brazil nuts, cashews, almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, chestnuts, beechnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts (pignoli or pinon), gingko nuts and hickory nuts. Like peanut and shellfish allergies, tree nut allergies tend to be severe, and are strongly associated with anaphylaxis. Walnuts and cashews are the two tree nuts that cause the most allergic reactions. At least 90 percent of children diagnosed with tree nut allergies will have them for life.

People generally follow an egg-free diet for one of two reasons: either they wish to maintain a vegan (pure vegetarian) diet, or they are allergic to eggs. Most people who are allergic to eggs are allergic to egg protein and usually react to the proteins in the egg white. However, because it is impossible to completely avoid cross-contamination between yolk and white, people who are allergic to eggs need to avoid eggs completely. The most allergenic proteins in egg white are ovalbumin, ovomucoid, ovotransferrin, and lysozyme. Lysozyme is an unlabeled additive used in cheese preparation. Egg yolk contains three proteins (apovitellenins I & VI and phosvitin) that are also allergenic.

A dairy-free diet contains no milk, cheese, butter, cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, ice cream, whey, casein, or foods that contain any of these ingredients.

Food intolerance can be defined as an adverse reaction to food that results in clinical symptoms but is not caused by a reaction of the immune system. The physiological mechanisms responsible for these reactions can be diverse and complex, and many are poorly understood.

Allergy is considered an in appropriate reaction to the immune system. The immune system basically responds to substances tha are usually harmless to the body. One of the most important factors is an inherited tendency.

Allergic reactions to foods are caused by the immune system overreacting to a specific component of the provoking food. When these reactions occur in infants and young children it can be especially frightening for the child and the family.

Use this list of resources: organizations, magazines, websites, and books, product lines to help guide you along a gluten-free pathway!!

The treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet, which includes:

• Avoiding all foods with wheat, barley, rye, or oats. Oats may later be gradually reintroduced into the diet.
• Not drinking beer, even nonalcoholic versions.
• Eating meals that include rice, corn, millet, and buckwheat.