Another word for food intolerance is food sensitivity.
When the immune system overreacts to a protein in a certain food, it causes an immune response that emits immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. IgE antibodies attach to cells within the immune system, releasing chemicals called histamine, causing allergic reactions. When eating foods that cause allergies, histamine can cause symptoms of allergic reactions.
What are the most common types of food intolerances?
1. Lactose: People who are lactose intolerant do not produce enough lactase to break down lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. This food intolerance is the most common.
2. Histamine: Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical found in foods such as cheese, pineapple, bananas, avocados, and chocolate. People who are histamine intolerant cannot make enough diamine oxidase to break down this chemical.
3. Gluten: Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten sensitivity is different from celiac disease, an autoimmune disease. When you have celiac disease, gluten can damage your small intestine. If you are intolerant to gluten, it becomes difficult for the body to digest gluten.
What foods are children with autism prone to?
The most common food allergies in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these 9 allergens account for 90% of allergic food reactions in the United States:
Milk, egg, fish, wheat, shellfish, peanuts, soy, tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans), sesame.
(It is recommended to take your child for a food intolerance (IGG antibody) test)
Possible symptoms of food allergy in children with autism
Due to the limited language expression ability of autistic children, they cannot accurately express some of their physiological responses, and usually show the following specific symptoms:
1. Picky eater, single interest in food, like one or several specific foods.
2. Dependence on a certain food, especially milk, sugar, etc. show symptoms similar to "drug addiction", do not meet their specific food needs, abnormal mood or even out of control.
3. Dry stool, no fixed time to stool, stool like sheep poop dry balls. There are also a few children whose stools are not formed and loose.
4. Symptoms similar to eczema, urticaria or rash often appear on the body, and the use of skin ointments is basically ineffective, and often recurring.
5. Growth and development changes are abnormal, and "developmental delay" is accompanied by behavioral and emotional abnormalities.
6. Irritability and irritability, moodiness, sudden emotional outbursts.
7. The head has the same shape as "pit and ditch". Bad hair.
8. Walking is sometimes "leaning forward" unsteadily, the forefoot touches the ground, and the heel does not land on the ground.
9. Sleep disorders. Often wake up early in the morning crying.
While symptoms of food intolerance vary from person to person, these are the most common symptoms in children on the autism spectrum. Regarding the child's diet, usually pay more attention to taboos, avoid spicy, alcohol, coffee and other irritants, eat a light, nutritious diet, do not develop the habit of picky eating because of taboo.