辨清敏感源 有機食物能否防敏感?

濕疹可以很折磨人，除了痕癢難耐，若發生在嬰兒身上，孩子更會因皮膚痕癢睡不安寧，造成一家困擾。然而有機食物有抗氧化物，可增強免疫力，有部分家長為避開食物敏感，會為子女選擇有機食物，不過有兒科醫生指出，如果孩子對某種食物有敏感反應，不論是否選用有機食材也會致敏，最好的方法是避開敏感源。

香港浸會大學香港有機資源中心早前的調查顯示，有六成三的家長會為患有敏感的子女購買有機食品讓他們食用，期望讓他們進食以自然、不受化學污染、無添加、無基因改造、無化學農藥的有機食品，減少小朋友接觸有害物質，防患未然。但是否真的如他們所願？

兒科專科醫生梁淑芳表示，食物敏感大致可以分「即時性食物敏感」以及「延遲性食物敏感」，「即時性食物敏感」是當食用了致敏食物後，會立即出現不適，例如對花生敏感的人士吃過含花生的食物後便全身紅腫，嚴重的會不能呼吸或是休克。

至於「延遲性食物敏感」，就是吃了致敏的食物後，可能會在數天或是數星期後敏感才發作，就如「嬰兒濕疹」，嬰兒出生時已開始食嬰兒配方的奶粉，然而到六至八星期後，濕疹才在身上出現。至於餵哺母乳的嬰兒，若母親曾進食牛奶、雞蛋和小麥等令嬰兒致敏的敏感源，部分嬰兒也會於兩至三個月後出現濕疹。

有機奶同樣可致敏

梁醫生續表示，很多人都認為濕疹很難斷尾，不過患者若能在飲食上作出改變，會大大增加治癒的機會，而最好緩解濕疹的方法就是遠離敏感源。她建議濕疹患者若完全戒絕牛奶、雞蛋及小麥，效果會很顯著。

梁醫師又表示很多家長有誤解，以為對牛奶有敏感的孩子轉食有機奶粉便可以避開敏感症，其實吃有機奶粉並不能緩解敏感症兒童的病情，因為如果孩子對某種特定的食物敏感，即使孩子食用有機的牛奶，孩子仍會出現敏感症狀，正確的做法是轉食低敏感奶粉或無敏奶粉，敏感病情才會好轉。

有機食品增免疫力

如此的話，進食有機食品是否無助孩子的健康呢？梁醫生解釋說：「患有過敏症的兒童主要是免疫系統出問題，家長可從加強孩子的免疫系統功能着手，而有機蔬菜含抗氧化物，有助加強兒童免疫系統，且種植的過程中受到的污染（如化學劑、農藥、除草劑及土壤污染）較少，可減低對孩子免疫系統的傷害性，減少其他因免疫力問題引發的過敏反應，故也鼓勵父母為患過敏症的兒童選擇有機的蔬菜和五穀雜糧。」

浸會大學香港有機資源總監黃煥忠教授亦指，雖然目前並未有正式科學研究證實食有機食品能直接對敏感症有一定幫助，但現時並沒方法根治食物敏感症，然而因有機食物無基因改造成分，進食經嚴格監管的有機食品，可減少接觸農藥、色素及添加劑等化學物質，減低食用這些化學污染物的傷害，有助為食物敏感人士築起一道保護防線。

資訊來源: 

https://lj.hkej.com/healthbeauty/article/id/357057/%E8%BE%A8%E6%B8%85%E6%95%8F%E6%84%9F%E6%BA%90+%E6%9C%89%E6%A9%9F%E9%A3%9F%E7%89%A9%E8%83%BD%E5%90%A6%E9%98%B2%E6%95%8F%E6%84%9F%3F

Allergy Ingredients - 過敏成分

Allergy-Friendly Ingredients: Easy Substitutions for Meals and Treats

Food Allergy Substitutions Made Easy
Sometimes, people with food allergies and sensitivities feel left out, longing for a classic treat or itching to try a new recipe. But with a few substitutions, it’s possible to make delicious dishes that are free of major allergens, such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, soy, and wheat. Follow our tips for simple food allergy substitutions – and start enjoying safe and delicious meals today!

Replacing Peanuts and Tree Nuts
Peanuts and tree nuts—such as almonds, hazelnuts, cashews—are two of the most common food allergens, according to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). Both peanuts and tree nuts are used to add crunch to baked goods, salads, and stir-fries. Enjoy the same crispy textures without the nuts by swapping in sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead. This is especially delicious if you lightly toast them first. You can also use sunflower or pumpkin seed butter as a substitute for peanut butter in cookies, sandwiches, and Thai-style peanut sauces. Check the specialty aisle of grocery stores for seed products labeled as peanut- and tree nut-free.

Replacing Milk
Milk allergy can be a very serious condition, warns FARE. Lactose intolerance is a milder condition, but it can still cause people discomfort. If you have milk allergy or lactose intolerance, you can look for dairy-free milk substitutions at the grocery store. These may include rice, oat, soy, or almond beverages.  Many of those food allergy substitutions taste great, sipped cold from the glass or added to baked goods. You can also look for dairy-free butter alternatives, such as allergy-friendly margarines, in the specialty aisle of grocery stores.

Replacing Egg
Eggs add structure to many dishes, as well as protein and flavor. But don’t settle for limp cookies and flat muffins just because you have an egg allergy! Start exploring the egg substitutions recommended by Allergic Living, such as mashed banana or blended tofu. Unfortunately, some of those substitutions won’t work for egg-focused dishes, like quiche. Instead, look for special recipes designed with allergic diners in mind.

Replacing Soy
Soy sauce adds protein, savory depth, and saltiness to many Asian-style recipes. If you have soy allergy or sensitivity, skip the soy sauce and add concentrated beef or mushroom broth instead. Remember to opt for low sodium options. If you eat meat, swap tofu for chicken in stir-fries, stews, and kebabs. If you’re a vegetarian, substitute cubes of parboiled potatoes or cooked white beans (e.g., cannellini) instead. Those dense, savory ingredients will give your meal substance and flavor.

Replacing Wheat
Wheat is ground into flour, which is used in most North American baked sweets, breads, and pastas. It can be tricky to replace with a one-to-one substitution. So if you have a wheat allergy or gluten intolerance, use a blend of wheat-free flours, recommends Living Without. For example, a mix of brown rice flour, tapioca flour, and cornstarch may be the perfect base for your next batch cookies.

Seeking Support
If you have multiple food allergies or sensitivities, it can be difficult to find allergy-safe ingredients and recipes. FollowKids with Food Allergies’ advice and visit a qualified dietitian who specializes in food allergies and sensitivities. Ask them how you can enjoy a wider variety of foods and meet your nutrition needs, while avoiding your allergens. Sometimes, a little support is all you need!

Care and Caution
When it comes to food allergies, there is no substitute for care and caution. The Living Confidently with Food Allergy Handbook recommends reading food labels every time you buy a product, even if you have eaten it before. If you have a serious food allergy, avoid products that list your allergen in the ingredient list or “may contain” warning. And never eat without your emergency medicine (i.e., epinephrine auto-injector) on hand. With a little bit of extra care, you can enjoy delicious, nutritious, worry-free meals every day of the week. 

Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/allergy-ingredients#2

常見過敏

通常使人發生過敏性疾病最多的是哮喘、枯草熱、蕁麻疹和皮膚疹。 
普通疾病是由於細菌或者病毒所傳染，但過敏性疾病，則可能由一般物質所引起。 
對於某些人來說，他們是因為吃了對自己身體有過敏性反應的東西，而得到過敏性疾病。 
也有些人由於接觸到某些物質而產生過敏性反應，另外一些人，可以由呼吸方面引起過敏性反應。 

☆生活在都巿中的人，有不少人患哮喘，最常見的原因是對於冷空氣、塵土、煤氣、動物的皮毛、某些化粧品，特別是一些花粉發生過敏性反應。 

☆另一種常見的過敏性疾病為枯草熱，這種疾病的發生是由於人體對於禾木科植物的花粉，產生過敏性反應，這種花粉可由風吹到各處，使具有過敏性的人發生各種病狀，包括鼻部不適，有灼熱的感覺，此外，雙目還會發炎、流鼻水、打噴嚏、流眼淚、並且也會發生哮喘。 

☆另一種常見的過敏性疾病為蕁麻疹，這是由於某些外來的刺激，使皮膚發生過敏性反應，使皮膚上產生一如蜂巢般的疹、腫脹、痕癢。如蝦、蟹、螺等就會引起蕁麻疹。光、寒冷、熱氣、日光、昆蟲、刺咬、或者碰及毛蟲，飛蛾等，也會發過敏性皮膚反應。 

◎治療 
首先要找出發生過敏性的原因，才能對症下藥。 
在飲食方面-可以吃有助於抵抗過敏性的食物，其中以維他命Ｃ的功效最大，因為維他命Ｃ係一種抗壞血病的鹽酸，能以氧化的作用，來消除使人發生過敏性反應的物質，由於維他命Ｃ不易在體內保存，時時會由尿中排出，因此，唯有時時攝取維他命Ｃ，才能使體內保持有足夠抗壞血的鹽酸，增加對過敏性反應的抵抗力。 
此外，維他命Α有增強皮膚上細胞和粘內壁的功用，對於的皮膚過敏性的預防，是有一定的效果的。 

    患過敏性病症的人，不宜用冷水沐浴或吃冷品，因為冷水或冰品，會使器官組織發生收縮作用，這樣就會增加身體的過敏性反應。

資訊來源: http://www.isu.edu.tw/upload/04/7/files/dept_7_lv_3_382.doc

MSG Allergies - 味精過敏

Overview
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used as a flavor-enhancing food additive. It can have a bad reputation, as many believe it can cause allergy-like symptoms and side effects.

However, much of the evidence has relied on anecdotes and limited clinical studies. So what's the truth about MSG? Is it really as bad as it's been made out to be?

Evidence
Despite concerns, decades of research have failed to demonstrate a relationship between MSG and serious reactions for most people. People have reported reactions after eating foods with MSG, but researchers have been unable to scientifically prove the allergy.

In 2014, Clinical Nutrition Research did present a link between MSG and allergy reactions in a small subset of people who suffer from chronic hives. However, the majority of these reports involve mild symptoms, such as:

tingling skin
headache
a burning sensation in the chest
Larger doses of MSG have been found to cause symptoms. But those portions are unlikely to be found in restaurant or in grocery store food. After reviewing the evidence in 1995, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put MSG in the same "generally recognized as safe" category as salt and pepper. A 2009 review published in the journal Clinical & Experimental Allergy came to a similar finding.

The exception to the safety of MSG is more questionable in children. A 2011 study in Nutrition, Research and Practice revealed a link between MSG and children with dermatitis. However, further research is warranted to make a definitive statement about this connection.

Symptoms
Those sensitive to MSG may experience:
headache
hives
runny nose or congestion
mild chest pain
flushing
numbness or burning, especially in and around the mouth
facial pressure or swelling
sweating

More serious symptoms may include:
chest pain
heart palpitations
shortness of breath
swelling in the throat
anaphylaxis

Your doctor may ask if you’ve eaten any food containing MSG within the last two hours if they suspect you have a MSG allergy. A rapid heart rate, abnormal heart rhythm, or a reduction of airflow to the lungs may confirm a MSG allergy.

Treatment
Most allergic reactions to MSG are mild and go away on their own. More serious symptoms, such as anaphylaxis, require emergency treatment in the form of a shot of epinephrine (adrenaline).

Call your doctor and go to the nearest emergency room immediately if you experience one of the following symptoms:

shortness of breath
swelling of the lips or throat
heart palpitations
chest pain

The best treatment for a food allergy is to avoid eating that food. However, MSG is a prominent ingredient in many different types of food. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, MSG is found in virtually all food. It’s found in high doses in food that is high in protein, such as:

meat
poultry
cheese
fish

Labeling is only required when MSG is added as an ingredient. In those cases, it will be listed as "monosodium glutamate."

People with a true allergy to MSG should avoid packaged and processed foods. Instead, opt for raw foods including fruits, vegetables, and organic meats instead. Other substances to avoid include:

dried meats
meat extracts
poultry stocks
hydrolyzed protein, which may be used as binders, emulsifiers, or flavor enhancers
Food labels may refer to these products as "dried beef," "chicken stock," "pork extract," or "hydrolyzed wheat protein."

Outlook
A very small part of the population has a reaction to MSG. Most of those reactions are typically mild. Try avoiding the foods listed above if you suspect an MSG allergy. There’s a good chance that you’ll only experience mild discomfort even if you eat foods containing MSG.

It would be prudent for children and adults with complex medical histories to limit consumption of MSG until further research can confirm safety.

Your doctor may put you on a strict avoidance diet and prescribe an epinephrine shot if you’ve experienced severe reactions.

Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/msg#Overview1

新生兒食用花生 可降低過敏風險

父母常會詢問是否該讓他們的孩子食用花生製品，對於這個問題的答案常莫衷一是。然而《新英格蘭醫學》期刊（The New England Journal of Medicine）近來發表一篇研究，指出在新生兒早期食用花生製品將可有效降低花生過敏風險。

研究人員挑選4~11月大且具有對花生過敏高風險的新生兒，將他們隨機分派至兩個組別，一組定時食用含有花生成分的食品；一組則完全不食用任何花生製品，這項實驗持續進行至孩童五歲大後測試過敏反應，發現定時食用花生製品的孩童組別對花生較不易過敏。英國倫敦國王學院萊克教授（Dr. Gideon Lack）談到，防止新生兒攝取花生製品可能會提高過敏風險。

美國兒科學會（The American Academy of Pediatrics）曾於2000年所發表的指導方針中建議，孩童在滿三歲前都不應食用花生以避免產生過敏反應。但2008年時，此學會改變立場，闡述目前並無有力的證據顯示——避免新生兒食用特定食品能夠幫助防止過敏發生。

萊克教授與其同事曾於2008年發表一篇論文，發現以色列孩童對花生過敏的比率只有英國猶太孩童的十分之一。他們得到的最佳解釋為，以色列孩童在滿一歲以前食用了較多的花生蛋白質，然而英國父母則避免了相關食物的攝取。其他研究也發現早期食用會引發過敏的食物可能會降低過敏風險。但是這一類的觀察報告並不十分可靠，原因是有可能仍存在其他不明因素而導致了結果上的差異。

然而這次的研究採用隨機抽樣，使兩組孩童間唯一的差別在於是否食用含有花生蛋白質的製品。此研究在美國國家衛生研究院與其他組織監督下，在實驗進行前，這些4~11個月大的新生兒已經確認對蛋製品過敏或得過濕疹，被認定有高風險會對花生過敏，並已接受皮膚點刺測試（skin-prick test），若被判定已對花生過敏則會屏除於實驗外。

530位參與實驗的新生兒在一開始都尚未對花生過敏。半數的家長被告知須避免給孩子食用花生。另一半孩童的家長則必須每周定期讓孩子食用至少六克的花生，當這些孩童滿五歲時，便會再進行一次過敏測試。結果僅有 1.9％定期食用花生的孩童產生過敏反應；相對的，避免食用花生的組別則有 13.7％ 對花生過敏。有另外98名新生兒在實驗初期就已具有輕微的花生過敏反應。他們同樣在滿五歲時接受測試，結果定期食用含有花生成分的組別只有10.6％產生過敏，未食用任何花生製品的組別則高達35.3％。

現在仍不清楚同樣的策略能否適用於其他的食物。醫師則建議，在讓幼童食用花生製品前，仍應先接受過敏測試，審慎評估過敏風險以防意外發生。

資訊來源:http://scitechreports.blogspot.hk/2015/05/blog-post_22.html

Allergic Asthma - 過敏性哮喘

What is Allergic Asthma?
If you ever have trouble breathing during allergy season, you may have allergic asthma. Allergic asthma is asthma caused by an allergic reaction. It is also called allergy-induced asthma.

People with allergic asthma usually start feeling symptoms after inhaling an allergen such as pollen. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that more than half of asthma sufferers have allergic asthma. Allergic asthma is treatable in most cases.

Causes
People develop allergies when their immune system overreacts to the presence of a harmless substance. This substance is known as an allergen. Common symptoms of allergies include itching and swelling. However, some people may also develop breathing problems from inhaled allergens. This is known as allergic asthma. It occurs when the airways swell as part of an allergic reaction.

In general, only inhaled allergens cause allergic asthma. Some allergens which can cause this condition include:
pollen
pet dander
dust
Cockroaches, milk, fish, shellfish, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts can also cause allergic asthma. However, an asthmatic reaction to these allergens is less common.

Symptoms

Symptoms of allergic asthma are the same as symptom of regular asthma. They include:
wheezing
coughing
chest tightness
rapid breathing
shortness of breath

If you have hay fever or skin allergies to the allergen causing your asthma, you might also experience:
itchy skin
rash
flaky skin
runny nose
itchy eyes
watery eyes
congestion

If you swallowed the allergen, these symptoms might be present as well:
hives
swollen face or tongue
tingly mouth
swollen mouth, throat, or lips
anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)

Diagnosis
Skin prick tests are commonly used to check for allergies. Your doctor will poke your skin with a needle containing a small amount of allergen. After 20 minutes, your skin will be checked for red bumps. These bumps are the sign of an allergic reaction.

Additional tests may be used to check whether your allergies are accompanied by asthma.

Spirometry measures the amount of air you inhale and exhale. This test looks for narrowing in the bronchial tubes of your lungs.

Peak Flow measures air pressure as you breathe out. This is a simple test of lung function.

Lung function tests check whether your breathing improves after you use an asthma medication (bronchodilator). If this medication improves your breathing, you probably have asthma.

Treatment
Treating allergic asthma can involve treating the allergy, the asthma, or both.

To treat your asthma, your doctor may prescribe two inhalers. The asthma inhaler is used to prevent asthma. The fast-acting relief inhaler is used to treat asthma symptoms.

Allergy treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms. You may need an antihistamine to deal with classic allergy symptoms such as itching. You might also need allergy shots if your symptoms are more severe.

Complications
Allergic asthma can have serious complications. One such complication is anaphylaxis. This type of severe allergic reaction may have symptoms such as:

hives
mouth or facial swelling
difficulty swallowing
anxiety
confusion
cough
diarrhea
fainting
nasal congestion
slurred speech
slurring
Untreated anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. It may cause problems such as an abnormal heart rate, weakness, low blood pressure, rapid pulse, cardiac arrest, and pulmonary arrest.

Prevention

Allergic asthma attacks are not always preventable. However, you may be able to make them less common by changing your environment.

At Home
Dust and vacuum regularly and use a HEPA filter. This can reduce the number of allergens in your environment.

Keep your windows and doors closed when pollen counts are high. Pollen is a common allergen. It triggers asthma-like symptoms in people with hay fever. If pollen makes you wheeze, see your doctor.

Don’t use an air conditioner or fan that smells like mold. Purchase new appliances if necessary. Mold can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. It is also potentially life-threatening when inhaled. Remove any traces of mold from your walls or floors using a mold-removing cleaner.

Additional Measures
Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner if the humidity in your home gets above 40 percent.
Avoid keeping animals indoors if you have pet allergies. With severe allergies, you may need to avoid animals completely.

Clean and disinfect your kitchen and bathroom to prevent cockroaches.
Wear a HEPA mask when you garden. This can help you avoid inhaling pollen or mold.

Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/asthma/allergic-asthma#Causes2

空氣品質差 吃魚油防過敏又補腦

春暖花開、萬物生長，加上東北季風影響，空氣中的花粉、塵蹣、灰塵等過敏原大幅增加，引起許多孩童出現各種過敏疾病，如過敏性鼻炎、異位性皮膚炎、結膜炎，甚至氣喘發作等情形。醫師建議，均衡飲食多攝取深海魚類，若有偏食或消化不良的幼童，則可補充魚油，有助降低過敏發生率。

開業小兒科醫師林應然指出，根據台北市衛生局統計，1985年幼童過敏性鼻炎的比例為7.84％，到2007年增加至50％，20年間飆升7倍之多，國內過敏兒愈來愈多。
林應然表示，過敏是一種全身性的疾病，包括過敏性鼻炎、異位性皮膚炎、蕁麻疹、過敏性結膜炎、氣喘，以及食物、藥物過敏等，多數患者合併多種過免疾病，且多發生於幼童。
如何預防幼童發生過敏？林應然指出，根據研究顯示，深海魚類如鮪魚、鯖魚、秋刀魚、鰻魚、沙丁魚等，含有豐富的DHA、Omega-3，是一種多鏈不飽和必需脂肪酸，必須從食物中攝取，除了有幫助腦部發育的功能外，對於過敏者也有特別的幫助，體內DHA含量足夠也較不會過敏。

林應然強調，均衡飲食可攝取足夠的DHA；若有偏食習慣、飲食不均衡、腸胃消化不好者，建議可適量補充魚油，不過，坊間的魚油不只包含DHA、Omega-3，還會添加維生素A、D等脂溶性維生素，攝取脂溶性維生素過量恐儲存在肝臟，反而有中毒的疑慮。

資訊來源: https://hk.news.yahoo.com/-080337618.html

Allergy Elimination Diet - 消除過敏飲食

Food allergies have received more attention in recent years, and it’s rare to find a food label without allergen information on it. However, people often have food allergies that they are not aware of, and are subsequently unable to defend themselves properly against them.

This can happen because allergies can develop over time, but many times this happens because the reactions are milder and we do not associate such reactions as being necessarily allergic—we think they are indigestion or skin irritation.

One way to identify a potential food allergy to commit to an allergy elimination diet, which limits the kinds of foods you eat to help isolate potential allergies that may be hiding in your food. While not something to be taken lightly, and best supervised by a physician, these elimination diets can be a way of protecting yourself from allergies that may otherwise go unidentified.

There are medical tests that can help determine particular food allergies, but there is no foolproof allergy elimination diet, but when done correctly, they can be a great way of isolating allergenic or intolerable foods.

Elimination diets are called food challenge tests for a reason—they form a process of trial and error which we stand to gain the most from when we are informed and careful about the process.

What the Diet Entails

When talking about allergy elimination diets (also known as food challenge tests), we need to make a distinction between diets in which the aim is to help reduce symptoms related to indoor/outdoor allergies and those diets that are for identifying most of the major food allergies people experience. Here we will be looking at the latter of the two and some general guidelines, or best practices, for people considering an elimination diet.

While there are many claims being made about various specialty allergy elimination diets (such as extended fasting or the “caveman” or raw/rare foods diet), to get the best results for your individual case, it is a good idea to get some professional guidance before starting any diet.

Risks and Considerations

It is important to always consult a physician about an allergy elimination diet, especially because there are some potential risk factors.

For one, there is some evidence to indicate that a prolonged elimination diet can cause more acute allergic reactions in some people. If you know you have certain food allergies and are starting to reintroduce foods back into your diet, you should do so under the supervision of a physician.

A physician can also help you plan around eliminated foods to ensure you are still getting the proper nutrition while on the diet. Sometimes we outgrow our allergies and sometimes we develop new ones as we get older, but with the proper medical guidance and careful attention to our diets, we can identify and manage our specific food allergies and enjoy our food without worry.

Starting the Diet

When starting an elimination diet, you will need to completely remove the food in question for at least two weeks, and sometimes maybe as long as two or three months.

Try to stick to simple dishes and preparations, and be careful with packaging and leftovers. This is particularly important early on in the process to prevent any cross-contamination. As you continue with the diet, pay close attention to any changes in your symptoms—if your symptoms improve, you may have found the allergenic food, but if they persist, than it is likely the eliminated food is not the cause.

If your symptoms improve, you can gradually begin to return the omitted food to your diet, though it is best to start with the simplest form of the food, to avoid other ingredients that may also cause a reaction. If the symptoms get worse, it is a good idea to start the test over again and remove the question food from your diet again in order to check against possible preparation or other conflicts. For example, maybe something fried will not sit as well and cause you not to feel well, and could be mistaken for an allergic reaction.

Keep a Food Journal

One thing that can be helpful in keeping track of the food you eat and any symptoms you may experience is keeping a journal or log of your food challenge test.

Write down everything you eat, trying to be as thorough and accurate about ingredients as you can (it is also a good idea to write down dates and times as well). Then keep track of the symptoms you experience, paying attention to how you feel in relation to what you eat. This information can be even more useful with a time and date.

As you proceed with your diet, say after three to four weeks, you will be able to monitor trends in your symptoms. A food journal is also a great resource for your physician to be able to review when you consult with him or her about your diet.

Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/allergy-elimination-diet#1

麩質過敏的症狀和不含麩質或含有麩質的食物有哪些?

麩質過敏是一種自身免疫性的疾病，是永久性腸道對麵筋不能容忍。在腹腔疾病的人身上，發現免疫系統對麵筋反應異常，造成小腸炎症和腹腔疾病。所呈現的症狀，有些人可能會發生任何疲勞和貧血，胃腸脹氣和腹脹，腹瀉，便秘，噁心和體重減輕。但有些人是一種看似〝無症狀〞的，因為他們認為是生活中的平常事，而沒有明顯的感覺到症狀。 

麩質過敏症狀的人與腹腔疾病有許多關係，很多患有慢性疾病的人，很有可能是對麩質過敏，這些症狀的出現跟麩質有關，類似腹腔疾病，進而會影響大腦、腸道、皮膚。

想知道自己是否有麩質過敏?看看以下的這些症狀你有幾個? 或許，我幫你找到了長久以來困擾著你的答案： 
1.口腔潰瘍（潰瘍、生瘡）
2.嘴唇的嘴角總是裂縫、乾燥脫屑 
3.牙齒釉質缺損或變色 
4.頻繁的消化不良 
5.頻繁的放出惡臭氣體(屁) 
6.排出來的便總是惡臭或粘土色的糞便 
7.排出的糞便是脂肪瀉（浮動糞便） 
8.習慣性腹脹 
9.腹脹（類似小腹很難減） 
10.慢性腹瀉或便秘 
11.易怒或喜怒無常 
12.抑鬱症 
13.肌肉無力 
14.慢性疲勞（常覺得很容易精力不足） 
15.骨或關節痛（關節疼痛） 
16.不孕（流產，延遲進入青春期女孩，月經不調）
17.皮疹（濕疹、牛皮癬） 
18.皰疹性皮炎（皮疹與腹腔疾病） 
19.未能茁壯成長的嬰兒，身材矮小的成人 
20.周圍神經病變（刺痛或麻木的胳膊和腿）
21.平衡感失調（走路困難，平衡的問題，不協調的步行） 
22.重量變化（突然變重或爆瘦） 

如果你懷疑你可能有腹腔疾病，應該先去尋求你的醫生，做個血液測試和腸道超因波，並且， 一段時間戒斷含有麩質的飲食，測試自己經過這段時間後，是否變得比較快樂(因為症狀減輕)。 這個方法，可讓你了解對食物的敏感性，我們的免疫系統對食物的靈敏度會告訴你身體需要什麼樣的食物，甚至立即危及到生命。 當然，只要你仍然一直吃著有麩質的東西(經常或過量)，妳就有可能會出現這些症狀。如果仍然出現症狀，你可能就必需完全戒斷掉含有麩質的東西。

 麵筋是小麥，黑麥，大麥和燕麥中發現的一種蛋白質，（關於燕麥包含的麵筋稱為Avenin，跟小麥，黑麥和大麥中發現的類型是不同的類型，有些製造燕麥的品牌若其處理過程未被污染到，在國外的品牌中會有腹腔協會的無麩質認證標誌、至於這是否適用於您，請尋求您的醫生的意見，每個人對麩質過敏的程度不同）

關於不含麩質或含有麩質的食物，到底有哪些?
★仔細閱讀食品標籤; 不要吃 任何包含以下穀物：小麥，黑麥和大麥。 
有一段時間， 燕麥 也有一些被認為含有麵筋(麩質)。因為經常在機器處理燕麥的同時，也處理了小麥。現在，大多數製造商已經不再這樣做，所以，只要有特別標示不含麩質的燕麥產品，就可以吃了。當然，你也可以詢問製造商的成份的說明，會更有保障。

可以吃 的不含麩質的澱粉食物:
玉米，馬鈴薯，水稻(米)，大豆類，木薯，葛根，角豆(豆類)，蕎麥，小米，莧菜籽和藜。 
蒸餾白醋 不包含麵筋。 
麥芽醋 不包含麵筋。

★穀物加工的食品中使用的許多成分，有可能隱藏著麵筋在裡面。當你看到食品成份標籤中有以下的成份時，可能意味著含有麵筋的產品。
*水解植物蛋白（水解植物蛋白）-除非是大豆或玉米製成就不含。
*麵粉 或 穀類 製造的食品，除非所使用的是純米粉，玉米粉，馬鈴薯粉或大豆粉 
*植物蛋白-除非大豆或玉米製成 
*麥芽 或 麥芽調味-除非來自玉米 
*澱粉 或 改良性澱粉食物-除非是用葛根，玉米，馬鈴薯，木薯，玉米或糯玉米製成  
*植物膠-除非使用卡羅伯豆，刺槐豆，纖維素，瓜爾豆，阿拉伯樹膠，樹膠 aracia，膠黃蓍膠，xantham或植物澱粉製成 
*醬油 或醬油膏，除非你知道它們不含有小麥

★下面是列出了各種食品有不含麵筋，和可能含有麵筋以及確實含有麵筋。
無麵筋(無麩質)
1. 益生菌，果糖和菊粉植物纖維
2. 洋蔥，大蒜，韭菜，耶路撒冷朝鮮薊，蘆筍，菊苣根，jicama，蒲公英，香蕉，龍舌蘭，果醬。
3. 奶和奶製品，奶油，人造奶油，植物油，起酥油，豬油:整體而言–低脂肪，脫脂，乾燥，蒸發，濃縮奶，牛奶，奶油，奶油，奶酪Velveeta食品，美國奶酪;所有的切達乳酪，瑞士，Edam和巴馬。
肉類或肉類替代品:
4. 100％，肉類（無添加麥劑），海鮮，家禽（麵包用純玉米粉，馬鈴薯粉或大米麵粉）;花生醬，雞蛋，各種豆類或豌豆
5. 麵包和穀物: 奶油米;玉米麵，霍米尼;水稻;野生稻;無麩質麵條;水稻晶圓;純玉米粉圓餅，玉米，馬鈴薯，大豆，木薯，葛根，角豆，蕎麥，小米，莧菜和藜粉等所做的麵包。
6. 飲料: 茶，碳酸飲料（啤酒除外），果汁，礦泉水和碳酸水，酒，咖啡
7. 水果: 新鮮，冷凍，罐裝的水果或水果乾，所有的果汁
8. 蔬菜: 新鮮，冷凍或罐裝蔬菜，白，甜馬鈴薯，山藥
9. 小吃和甜品: 布朗和白糖，凝乳酶，水果糖，明膠，果凍，果醬，蜂蜜，糖漿，純可可，水果冰
10. 增稠劑: 明膠，葛根澱粉，玉米胚芽粉或麥麩，馬鈴薯粉，馬鈴薯澱粉麵粉;米糠麵粉，米粉，大豆粉，木薯澱粉，西谷米
11. 調味品: 無麩質醬油，蒸餾白醋，橄欖，鹹菜，番茄醬，鹽，胡椒，香草，香料萃取物，食用色素，丁香，生薑，肉荳蔻，肉桂，小蘇打，發酵粉，味精


可能包含麵筋(麩質):
1. 酸奶油，商業巧克力牛奶和飲料，非乳製品奶精，所有其他乳酪製品，酸奶。
2. 肉餡餅，肉罐頭，香腸，冷盤，熱狗，漢堡包，辣椒，商業煎蛋卷，souffles，乾酪，大豆蛋白肉替代品
3.包裝米混合，玉米餅，現成吃的穀類含有麥芽調味，沙拉醬，非乳製品奶精，蛋黃醬，餅餡水果，水果餡
4.蔬菜與醬料，蔬菜和商業準備沙拉，烤豆罐頭，醬菜，醃製蔬菜，商業的蔬菜
5. 蛋奶沙司，布丁，冰淇淋，冰，果子露，糖果，巧克力，口香糖，可可，薯片，爆米花，調味可可粉，啤酒，巧克力飲料，營養補充劑，飲料混合物
6. 商業用的湯，雞湯，湯混合物，boullion
7. 調味糖漿（淋冰淇淋的煎餅），蛋黃醬，辣根醬，沙拉醬，番茄醬，肉醬，芥末，塔科醬，咖哩調味粉，調味粉，肉類萃取物。


確實含有麵筋(麩質)
1. 小麥，大麥，黑麥，燕麥(見上面提到的註1)
2.丸子，麵包或麵包屑做出的麵包魚，雞肉餅，肉類，肉餅，肉丸，比薩，餛飩，任何肉類或肉類替代品
3. 麵包，饅頭，麵包，餅乾，鬆餅，餅乾和穀類食品含有小麥，小麥胚芽，燕麥，大麥，黑麥，麩皮，格雷厄姆麵粉，麥芽，卡沙，matzo，麵包屑，糕點，比薩餅麵團，麵條，義大利麵，通心粉及其他麵食;餃子，餅乾，華夫餅乾和薄煎餅，麵包餡
4. 小麥，黑麥，燕麥做的奶油或麵包蔬菜，吐司麵包，蛋糕，餅乾，麵包圈，糕點，餃子，冰淇淋筒，餡餅，蛋糕，餅乾混合物準備，餅乾，麵包布丁
5. 阿華田，麥芽含飲料，cocomalt，啤酒，麥芽酒
6. 湯塊，小麥澱粉，所有的麵粉含有小麥，燕麥，黑麥，麥芽，大麥或格雷厄姆麵粉的通用麵粉，白麵粉，小麥粉，麩皮，餅乾粉;達勒姆麵粉，小麥胚芽。
7. 合成辣椒，啤酒酵母，酵母提取物（含大麥）麥芽飲料

資訊來源: http://www.saladblog.com.hk/read.php?id=12605

食物敏感 飲食手記

食敏Vs不耐症

食物為身體帶來營養，也有機會帶來紅腫、痕癢、肚瀉等不適症狀！食物敏感及食物不耐症都是患者吃了某些食物之後出現一些不適症狀，但兩者其實有分別。高級營養師解釋，食物敏感的成因是身體免疫系統抗拒某些食物蛋白，若進食了該些食物，免疫系統就會攻打這些食物蛋白，其實就是「打錯仗」。打仗時免疫系統會釋出「組織胺」這種物質，會令患者身體出現紅、痕癢、腫等情況。食物敏感患者每次吃致敏食物都會發病，發病的時間很快，短至數分鐘或兩小時都有可能。

 

相反，食物不耐症的患者是身體「唔受得」某些食物，並非因為免疫系統「攻打」食物蛋白，而且吃較大量才會有徵狀，例如乳糖不耐症的患者，喝牛奶後會肚瀉是因為身體沒有足夠酵素而未能完全消化乳糖，導致肚瀉，這就與牛奶敏感患者喝牛奶後會出紅疹等情況不同。

 

你有這些「不耐」嗎？

最「出名」的不耐症可算是乳糖不耐症，但其他的一些物質都有機會令身體受不了，但食物不耐症要大量吃才有徵狀而且難以界定，加上不少人對此症的警覺較低，或會抱著「間中肚疴很閒，疴完就無事」等心態，所以當你有不適時，不妨想想你之前有否吃過、用過以下的「不耐」高危食物或用品呀！

 

組織胺不耐症

• 高危食物：醃製食物（例如：芝士、醬料）
• 常見徵狀：痕癢、出疹、類似過敏症的反應

化學物或添加劑不耐症

• 高危食物：加工食物、包裝食物、味精
• 常見徵狀：頭頸痛、呼吸困難、痕癢、鼻敏感

小麥蛋白不耐症

• 高危食物：啤酒、麫包、早餐穀物、蛋糕
• 常見徵狀：有肚風、胃氣、肚痛、肚瀉

果糖不耐症

• 高危食物：部份水果、蘋果、啤梨、蜜糖、甜飲品、蜜糖
• 常見徵狀：肚瀉

水楊酸不耐症

• 高危食物或用品：莓類、葡萄、番茄醬、咖喱粉、酒精類及化妝品
• 常見徵狀：哮喘
• 
  

資訊來源: http://health.popart.hk/newver/newsinfo.php?pid=2858&title=%E9%A3%9F%E7%89%A9%E6%95%8F%E6%84%9F%20%E9%A3%B2%E9%A3%9F%E6%89%8B%E8%A8%98

21 Homemade Baby Food Recipes - 21個自製嬰兒食品食譜

Is Your Baby Ready for Solids?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until 6 months to start solid foods, but it is possible to start as soon as 4 months as long as certain developmental stages have been reached. According to a study released by the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, babies who started eating solid foods at 4 months old had a reduced risk of allergies and asthma. It is most important that the baby can sit upright, hold their head up, and shows signs of interest in solid food. Once you’ve gotten the okay from your child’s pediatrician, you’re ready to bring on baby’s first foods!

A Few Things to Keep in Mind
New eaters only need about 1 to 2 tablespoons of a food, so keep portions small.

Be on the lookout for allergies, especially when feeding your child foods that contain common allergens.

Common Allergens

Be cognizant of foods that can cause gas. Onions, beans, wheat, dairy, and cruciferous vegetables can potentially make your baby uncomfortable. You may want to wait until your baby is a little older (8 to 10 months) to introduce these items.

Go organic, wild, pastured, and grass-fed whenever possible. If your budget doesn’t allow you to go 100 percent organic, try to at least buy organic when using anything on the Dirty Dozen list. This includes:

apples
peaches
nectarines
strawberries
grapes
celery
spinach
sweet bell peppers
cucumbers
cherry tomatoes
snap peas (imported)
potatoes
Most of all, don’t forget to have fun!

4 to 6 Months Old
When your baby is 4 to 6 months old, you will want to use simple, single-ingredient purées. This can help you to spot and identify a food allergy. Once you have proven your child’s tolerance to individual foods, you can try combinations to enhance flavor and likeability.

1. Pea Purée

Peas are a small yet mighty source of nutrition, packing Vitamins A and C, iron, protein, and calcium. If the skin of the peas makes the texture less appealing for your child, make sure to strain them to make it as smooth as possible.

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2. Banana Purée
Often called a “perfect” food, bananas are rich in potassium and fiber. Bananas are also known as one of nature’s own antacids and are very gentle on the stomach. Although bananas are one of the best first foods for babies, be careful not to overdo it. Too much banana can cause constipation.

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3. Baby Brown Rice Cereal
Rice cereal is one of the most common foods to introduce because it is non-allergenic and easily digested. Mixing it to a fairly thin texture can help babies make the transition from an all-liquid diet to a more solid one. This same process can be applied to steel cut oats.

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4. Avocado Purée

This buttery treat is a wonderful “good fats” food for baby’s brain and physical development. Plus, the creamy texture of perfectly ripe avocado is one that babies seem to love. To help prevent browning, put the avocado pit in the puree when refrigerating.

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5. Baked Sweet Potato Purée
In-the-know adults eat sweet potatoes for their health benefits. Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, so it makes sense that your baby can benefit from this delicious tuber, too. A simple purée with a touch of water or milk makes for a yummy and nutritious first food.

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6. First Carrots Purée
Carrots are a wonderful introduction to solids because of their naturally sweet taste and pleasant texture. This simple preparation of carrots provides a rich supply of the antioxidant beta carotene and vitamin A.

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7 to 9 Months Old
For a 7- to 9-month-old baby, you can make thicker purées with multiple ingredients. Remember to introduce one new ingredient at a time and combine foods that you know baby is not allergic to. You can also add meat and other proteins at this stage.

7. Pumpkin Thyme Purée

This easy and elegant seasonal recipe is full of beta carotene, potassium, and iron. Make a big batch and freeze it in ice cube trays for single-portion servings for later!

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8. First Spinach with White Yams
This simple combination of spinach and yams adds a healthy dose of calcium, iron, vitamin A, and folate to your baby’s diet. The yams add a touch of sweetness to create a pleasant introduction to greens.

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9. Beets and Blueberry Mash
Not only is this blend a beautiful shade of magenta, it’s also a nutritious combination of antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. You can also mix this purée with a little cereal for a delicious breakfast for baby.

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10. Avocado and Banana Baby Food
This is a pairing of two wonderful foods: avocados (good fats and fiber) and bananas (potassium and vitamin C). The banana also adds a bit of sweetness and lightens up the usually dense avocado purée. Nix the sugar, and stick with the natural sweetness of the ingredients themselves for young babies.

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11. Veggies and Sole Purée
Potatoes, carrots, peas, and fish make for a delicious combination that’s ready to eat in under eight minutes. Vegit is a seasoning ingredient in this recipe which can also be subbed for Mrs. Dash, another low-sodium seasoning. This is a great, simple introduction to fish for your baby.

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12. Butternut Squash and Pear Purée
Butternut squash is a great ingredient because it rarely causes allergies. Pear adds an additional touch of sweetness to this recipe.

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13. Papaya Purée
Papayas have a higher acidity than a lot of other fruits, so it’s best to wait until your baby is 7 to 8 months old to introduce this fruit. The enzymes in papaya (and in pineapple) aid digestion, so this is a perfect food to help relieve your baby’s constipation or tummy troubles.

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9 to 12 Months Old
At 9 to 12 months old, your baby can enjoy chunkier purées and mashes. You can also add whole milk and dairy, such as cheese or yogurt, to their foods. At this stage, many babies can even advance to adult food and complex combinations, finely minced or softened.

14. White Fish, Carrot, and Leek Purée

This purée combination is a savory, brain-boosting powerhouse. White fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that help boost development of baby's central nervous system. Leeks provide cardiovascular support and carrots are loaded with antioxidants.

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15. Quinoa Ratatouille
Baby’s first French classic couldn’t be tastier! Traditional ratatouille ingredients meet the super grain, quinoa, in a delightful “gourmet” purée.

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16. Baby Beef Stew
This baby-friendly version of a classic comfort food is full of iron, thanks to the beef. The recipe requires a little more prep time than other baby food recipes, but your house will smell amazing.

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17. Raw Baby Purée of Blueberries, Mango, Avocado, and Mild Chiles

Another nutrient-dense combination, this recipe combines creamy avocado, tangy mango, blueberries, and the interesting addition of mild green chilies!

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18. Creamy Provencal Chicken
This dish incorporates Herbes de Provence, a mild blend of spices that can help introduce your child to more exciting flavors, without the addition of salt.

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19. Quinoa Banana Mash
Quinoa is a protein-packed grain that makes a great addition to your growing baby’s diet. This adds an exciting new texture to the banana mash, an ingredient that your baby probably already loves. Also, try serving cooked quinoa by itself to your baby. The cooked seeds stick to baby’s fingers, which makes it an easy food to eat.

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20. Cherry and Mint Greek Yogurt Baby Food Purée

This homemade cherry purée is a delicious topping for the yogurt base. Make sure to use full-fat, organic yogurt!

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21. Apricot and Banana Food with Cinnamon
Spice things up in baby’s diet with a dash of cinnamon. For a great breakfast, try adding this purée to a bit of cereal or cooked oatmeal, which can also make a great breakfast.

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Source: http://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/homemade-baby-food-recipes#10