Get Involved With Food Allergy Awareness Week 2021
An estimated 20 million people in the UK suffer from a food allergy of some kind. Which is why Food Allergy Awareness Week exists to raise awareness of potential food allergies, and how to go about day to day life with the risks.
What is Food Allergy Awareness Week?
Food Allergy Awareness Week is an initiative by FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education).
The theory behind this week is to raise awareness of the various food allergies that people can have, and enhance the understanding the general public have of food allergies, which potentially can be life-threatening.
When is Food Allergy Awareness Week?
Food Allergy Awareness Week runs from 9-15 May 2021.
What is the most common allergy in the UK?
The most common food allergies are milk, eggs and nuts, based on children in the UK.
Top 10 facts about food allergy
AllergyUK offers a wealth of resources, including this handy PDF download:
What are the 8 most common food allergies?
There are 8 foods which account for 90% of all food allergy reactions. They are:
- Peanut
- Tree nut
- Egg
- Soy
- Dairy
- Wheat
- Shellfish
- Fish
How can you eat healthily with a food allergy?
A great place to start is by including nutrient-rich foods in your daily diet. This involves plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole-grains and lean proteins, and dairy-substitutes where necessary.
The inclusion of fibre will reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, and has the added benefit of regulating your appetite.
Foods that are rich in vitamins A, C and E may encourage healthy immunity, vital for people with food allergies, especially those with multiple food allergies.
Good sources of vitamin A include vegetables and dairy foods. Citrus foods and 100% juice are good sources of vitamin C, and vitamin E can be found in oils, nuts, seeds, and fish.
Natasha’s Law
New legislation comes into effect in October 2021 which will protect more people with food allergies in the UK.
This law involves pre-made food and ready to eat dishes sold on food premises to have full ingredient listings on the packaging.
More information on Natasha’s Law can be seen in this Web Story.
Join the conversation surrounding Food Allergy Awareness Week using these trending hashtags:
#FAAW
#KnowTheFAACTS
#FAACT
#foodallergy
#foodallergies #ShareTheFAACTs #Anaphylaxis
#TealLoveShinesBright
@FAACTNews
How to get a food allergy diagnosis
The first place to start with obtaining a diagnosis for food allergies is your GP.
If a food allergy is suspected, your GP will refer you to an allergy clinic for further testing. This will involve skin-prick testing, and a blood test.
How to get help with food allergies in the UK
The first place to head to is AllergyUK, who have various methods of getting in touch with, be it by phone, email, social media, or live chat services.