Ingesting a food you’re allergic to is potentially life-threatening. Up to 15 million Americans have a food allergy and that includes one in every 13 children. Currently, the most common food allergies in the U.S. are:
Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree nuts, Soy, Wheat, Fish and Shellfish.
Symptoms range from mild abdominal pain to anaphylactic shock. If you or someone you know has an allergy, try these simple steps to prevent a reaction.
(1). Read food labels. Any foods with potential allergens should be stored separately from safe foods.
(2). Before and after every meal, not only you…but everyone you eat with, should wash their hands to avoid cross contamination of allergens.
(3). Assemble an emergency kit with appropriate medications and an epinephrine auto-injector. And while you’re at it, make a second kit so you have one at home and another for your travels.
Go to www.foodallergy.org for more tips on how to live easily (and safely) with food allergens.
John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich is credited with inventing the sandwich. In 1762, Montagu, a consummate gambler, requested something he could eat without getting up from the card table. The cook placed a slice of meat between two pieces of bread and the sandwich as we know it was born. However, neither John nor the cook were the first to make and eat one.
