Asthma triggers: food

Although food allergies are not a common trigger of asthma, food allergies can lead to anaphylaxis, which includes wheezing and breathing difficulty. People with asthma may find that certain foods trigger their asthma symptoms along with other symptoms, such as hives, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and rashes around the mouth and other parts of the body. The asthmatic reaction to food allergies is most common in infants and children. If you think you or your child may have a food allergy that triggers wheezing, consult an allergist to determine exactly what you are allergic to and how best to avoid it. Here are some common food triggers and information on food in which they may be found:

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• Shellfish: In some cases, a doctor can identify exactly which type of shellfish causes a reaction, but most food-allergy sufferers who react to shellfish must simply eliminate all types from their diet. Be careful with fried foods, since some restaurants use the same oil to fry shrimp, chicken, and french fries. Also, keep in mind that imitation shellfish may contain some actual shellfish for flavoring.
• Soybeans: If your doctor is unable to identify precisely which soy product is the trigger, it is best to avoid them all. But that's not always easy, since many products contain soy in some form. Examples of soy products and of foods that may contain soy include: soy flour, protein, fruits, nuts, milk, and sprouts; textured vegetable protein (TVP); hydrolyzed-plant, vegetable, or soy protein; natural and artificial flavorings; vegetable gum, starch, and broth; miso, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce; tofu, tamari, and tempeh; some cereals, infant formulas, and baked goods. Many people are allergic to more than one legume; other potential triggers in the legume family include navy beans, kidney beans, string beans, black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, lentils, carob, licorice, and peanuts.
• Nuts: If you suffer from a nut allergy, strictly avoiding nuts and food containing nuts is the only way to prevent a reaction. In addition to nut-based butters and flours, foods that may contain nut ingredients include hydrolyzed-plant and vegetable proteins, nougat, marzipan, cereals, some ethnic dishes, cookies and other baked goods, candy, grain breads, ice cream and frozen desserts, energy bars, and salad dressing. Because prepared foods can be contaminated with peanuts if manufacturers prepare them in the same place as other products containing peanuts, it's important to be prepared for this possibility and the risk of a reaction.