Coping with Food Allergies

Living with food allergies, whether it’s you or a friend, can be a hassle. It may be popular to be gluten-free or plant-based nowadays, and some brands are labeling their products better than they used to, but it seems some yummy foods are always off-limits. But what if you didn’t have to sacrifice taste or safety to live a delicious, nutritious life?

Here are some of our best strategies for coping with food allergies.

Know the Big 8 Allergens

Over 90% of food allergies fall into the categories of eight common foods: 

1. Milk
2. Eggs
3. Wheat
4. Soy
5. Fish
6. Peanuts
7. Tree nuts
8. Shellfish

These foods account for some of the most serious allergic reactions nationally, too. Chances are you have at least one of these allergens or know someone who does. 

It’s also important to know that there are different levels of sensitivity to each of these foods. For example, lactose intolerance is not the same as having a dairy allergy, and peanuts are not technically a nut, they’re a legume, like soy. Coconuts are also not nuts, they’re a one-seeded fruit. 

Know Big 8 Allergen Free Snacks

While it may seem like avoiding all these allergens is impossible, there are actually a number of foods that don’t have any of these allergens.

• Fruits & veggies: all of these foods are naturally free of any of the big eight allergens! While there may be a few random allergies to some fruits out there, these foods are generally a safe bet. With lots of natural sugars and healthy vitamins, you can eat these a bunch of delicious ways.
• Meats: for non-vegans or vegetarians, meats like beef, chicken, and pork are great allergen-free snacks or meals.
• Carbs: Rice, potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, and squash don’t contain wheat or any of the other Big 8 allergens.
• Oils: Olive, canola, sunflower, safflower, and avocado oils are great alternatives for baking and cooking compared to peanut or soy oils.

Know Allergen-Free Food Alternatives

While there are some foods that naturally do contain allergens, there are several great alternatives now on the market that taste just like their counterparts. For example, Plant Snacks offers tasty chip and cracker alternatives that are not only free from the Big 8 allergens but are also vegan and GMO-free! 

We created our flour blend from whole grain corn, cassava root, psyllium husk, pea protein, and mushroom powder. Our snacks also deliver protein and are a good source of fiber and vitamin D. And they come in all sorts of delicious flavors, from non-dairy Nacho Tortilla Chips to classic Sea Salt. 

Try Snacks for Food Allergies from Plant Snacks

Having a food allergy doesn’t have to be tasteless or difficult. We designed our snacks so that everyone could enjoy them, regardless of lifestyle, diet, or allergy restrictions. Not only are they healthy for you, but they taste just like the allergen-ridden brand names you could never eat! Your days of missing out on tasty snacks are over.

Order some today to try! If we’re out of stock on our website, you can find us in person at a store near you.