FINDING YOUR NO-ALLERGY DIET: KEEPING A FOOD DIARY
A record of what you eat, how much you eat and how you feel afterwards can signal what you’re allergic to – especially if your symptoms come and go unpredictably (as symptoms are wont to do). The accompanying sample diary shows you how to correctly record entries. Your diary will be most helpful if you keep a few basic rules in mind.
1. List all ingredients of mixed dishes and combination foods. If you eat a ham sandwich, for instance, note the kind of bread and dressing.
2. Don’t rely on your memory. Fill in the information just before or after you eat. Carry the diary with you in your handbag, pocket or attach? case to record meals eaten away from home. Or jot down some notes and add them later.
3. Rate your symptoms on a scale of one to four to distinguish between mild and severe reactions. For example, a mildly unpleasant or slightly noticeable symptom would get a one; an extremely unpleasant or very marked reaction would rate a four.
4. Weigh yourself every morning after going to the bathroom. A sudden weight gain plus increased thirst, decreased urine output, tighter shoes or tight rings are all signs of oedema, or fluid retention – a common food reaction.
5. Note any foods you crave.
Symptoms to look for
James Ñ Breneman, chairman of the Food Allergy Committee of the American College of Allergists, has noticed that food allergy symptoms often fall into certain patterns:
- Hives, runny nose, asthma, heartburn, sleepiness or drowsiness can occur within one
hour;
– abdominal cramps, gas pains or headaches may occur within two to four hours;
– delayed hives may appear six to twelve hours later;
– a weight gain or water retention can occur within twelve to fifteen hours;
- confusion, forgetfulness, depression, inability to concentrate or other mental symptoms
may appear within twelve to twenty-four hours; and
– canker (cold) sores, aching joints, muscles or back can occur after three to five days.
Other symptoms to note include rashes, itching or burning skin, cramps, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation or bloating; weeping or itchy eyes, visual problems, sneezing, sinusitis; ringing in the ears or earaches; sore throat, hoarseness or cough; inexplicable fatigue; nervousness, tension or anxiety; a floating feeling; insomnia, dark, puffy circles under the eyes – or any of the signs of allergy described in Chapter 2, Are you allergic?
It goes without saying that there can be other medical reasons for all of those complaints. But if you’ve already seen a doctor, and he or she cannot explain why you are ill, food allergy should be considered. As a matter of fact, people with food allergy often have a long history of undiagnosed health problems – backed up by a slew of X-rays and gastrointestinal tests that don’t explain their problems.
Note: Chronic infection in infants and young children can mimic gastrointestinal problems associated with milk and wheat allergies. In the case of a child who is vomiting or choking, or who has diarrhoea or difficulty in swallowing, consult a doctor without delay.
After you’ve kept a diary for a week or two, you can use it to help recognize problem foods. Doris J. Rapp, a pediatrician and allergist in Buffalo, New York, suggests that you make a list of all foods eaten on a day you felt well. Compare that list to a list of foods eaten on a day you felt terrible. Cross out all foods which appear on both lists. The foods left on the second list are your prime suspects. Then you eliminate them.
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