Wednesday, July 28, 2010

GL Focus: Nut Free

Over the past few years, nut allergy awareness has spread like - peanut butter? But if you suffer from an allergy to nuts, it's nothing to laugh at. Nut allergies are very serious, even deadly, and for those affected, food labels are a lifeline.

You may have noticed on each Garden Lites box the words "Nut Free." It may not seem like a big deal, but to produce our foods in a nut-free facility means a lot. We have done our part to help the nut-free community, but the question still remains: What are nut allergies and why are they so widespread all of a sudden? Let's learn a little more about this growing concern.

Growing up my mom never thought twice to pack a PBJ for lunch, but now many schools have banned the dangerous nut. And for good reason, the allergies are more prevalent in children than adults. Many blame over sanitizing around infants. A lack of exposure to germs and other bacteria can create weaker immune systems. But studies have shown that may not be the only cause.

Nut allergies could happen because of when a food was introduced, or even how. "Roasted peanuts, for instance, have increased allergenicity because cooking changes the nature of the proteins in the nut" claims a MedPage Today article on the topic. The same article reports peanut allergies have tripled among children between 1997 and 2008. As if that wasn't shocking enough, a survey was done and found 1.4% of children have peanut allergies. Sometimes fatal, called anaphylaxis when your respiratory system goes into distress, peanut allergies are now the number one cause of food allergy deaths. Not to say that everyone who is allergic will have such severe reactions, but it is important to know how serious these allergies can get.

Here are some other symptoms people with peanut allergies could have (from the National Peanut Board website)

skin irritation - rash, hives, itching or swelling
respiratory tract - wheezing, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, sneezing, runny nose
cardiovascular system - dizziness, lightheadedness, loss of consciousness, chest pain
gastro-intestinal tract - stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
"Experts do not know why some people have mild reactions and others have life threatening reactions," the National Peanut Board reports. Nut allergies are not something you outgrow either. Unlike other food allergies, peanut allergies tend to be a lifelong issue. So finding good foods to rely on for meals is very important.

If you or your child is diagnosed with a peanut allergy, Garden Lites souffles and dishes could be a great way to ensure a healthy and allergen-friendly meal. The best way to find out if you or someone you love has food allergies is to go to a Board Certified Allergist and get diagnosed.

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