The Truth About Fast Food Allergies Chicago IL

Wondering what to serve for dinner tonight? If you don't have time to cook, the convenience of visiting a fast food restaurant can be tempting, especially with the nutritious options some establishments have added to their menus.

Yet for people who suffer from fast food allergies, the dangers of eating out may be more than they can stomach. Common concerns range from uncertainty about what ingredients are contained in menu items to worry about the potential for cross contamination occurring during food preparation.

A Widespread Problem

According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), one out of every 25 Americans is diagnosed with a food allergy,. If you fall into this group, you know first-hand how the immune system reacts when exposed to your triggers, which can include milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. Food allergies can cause mild symptoms like itching, hives or a rash, or you could find yourself struggling with a more serious reaction such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of lips, tongue and throat—and even loss of consciousness. (If you experience anaphylaxis, this is a life threatening reaction that requires immediate treatment.)

Survey Results

Many people with food allergies go to great lengths to avoid putting themselves at risk. In fact, a study conducted by the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York that was presented at the American Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's 2008 Annual Meeting revealed that 20 percent of respondents with food allergies steer clear of fast food chains entirely. Driving this decision for some is the fact that they have experienced restaurant reactions in the past.....

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