Allergies and Food intolerances are on the rise and the statistics are alarming. Allergies and Food intolerances now impact more than 4.1 million Australians or 19.6% of the population, with the average person having nearly two allergy disorders. If current trends continue, there would be a 70% increase in the number of Australians with allergy, from 4.1 million currently to 7.7 million by 2050 (Access Economics, 2007, the cost of allergies, nothing to be sneezed at).
What is even more alarming is that it is estimated that up to 90% of people with food intolerances are presently undiagnosed. If you are not feeling 100%, you may be part of the 90% undiagnosed.
What Is a Food Allergy?
A food allergy is an immune system response. It occurs when the body mistakes an ingredient in food, usually a protein, as harmful and creates a defense system (antibodies) to fight it. Allergy symptoms develop when the antibodies are battling the "invading" food. The most common food allergies are peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts, pecans and almonds), fish and shellfish, milk, eggs, soy products and wheat.
What Is Food Intolerance?
Food intolerance is a digestive system response rather than an immune system response. It occurs when something in a food irritates a person's digestive system or when a person is unable to properly digest or breakdown, the food. Coeliac disease or intolerance to Gluten is also well known with some 200,000 Australians now affected by it. However, many Australians are also sensitive to chemicals in our foods including but not limited to additives and preservatives.
A Chemical Reaction
The food we consume and give to our children is now overwhelmingly linked with a raft of problems including but not limited to attention deficit disorder and behavioural problems, bloating or irritable bowel syndrome and diabetes to name a few. Some parents with autistic children are eliminating gluten from their diets and reporting improvements also.
The good news is that businesses and companies are rising to the challenge to meet the demand for gluten free and all free from foods that also taste great and have a positive impact on your or your child’s quality of life. There are now more than 30 FREE FROM websites and over 2,000 businesses in Australia catering for allergies and food intolerances.
Eat Me Allergy Free Food
Brisbane mother of three, Sally Rosario, was constantly frustrated by the inability to find ready to eat food for her two boys, both of whom suffer from multiple food allergies. Nothing catered to the wide range of allergies both boys experience.
In her belief that this frustration must be shared by many people, Sally created Eat Me Allergy Free Food – a range of ready to heat and eat meals free from wheat, gluten, dairy, egg, nuts and seeds, soy and legumes, fish and seafood, yeast, allergenic fruit and vegetables, artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.
“Eat Me Allergy Free Food offers delicious meals that are prepared from fresh natural ingredients in an allergen-free environment, under a strict food safety management system. The meals are snap frozen and delivered to your door.” Sally said. “We are also about to launch a brand-new lunchbox friendly snack at the Gluten Free Food and Allergy Show, so make sure you come along and be the first to try it.”
Eat Me Allergy Free Food offers a simple meal solution for kids and adults, both at home or on the go. For more information please visit www.eatmefood.com.au, email info@eatmefood.com.auor phone 1300 4 EAT ME.
Stockmans Tucker Butcher – Australia’s only fully Gluten Free butcher!
The Stockmans Tucker Butcher at Meadowbrook in Brisbane's south is completely gluten-free and is an Australian first led by Brisbane couple David and Debbie Tasker.
Debbie Tasker says being completely gluten free removes the risk of cross-contamination from crumbs and flours in preparation areas and display cabinets. It only takes a few crumbs to stray from the lamb cutlets to a tray of pork chops to make some people suffer discomfort and bloating.
Debbie and David Tasker are perfectionists and a quick look around the shop bears this out. This is an open-plan establishment with everything in view. The butcher offers everything from gluten free sausages, to silversides to their specialty chicken schnitzels and much more at regular prices.
Stockmans Tucker Butchery is at Shop 16, Meadowbrook Shopping Centre, Loganlea Rd, Meadowbrook, ph: 3805 5255.
You can see these businesses alongside 130 companies at the annual Gluten Free Food and Allergy Show in Brisbane at the Convention Centre on the 17/18 May. The show has every food that is free from, you can allergy proof your home and body and see more than 300 Queensland chefs on display and many top specialists in this field in the seminar rooms free including Professor Kerryn Phelps and Dr Rodney Ford (AKA Dr Gluten). For more information visit www.allergyglutenshow.com.au
