Photo used with permission by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Food Allergies? Seek a Registered Dietitian to

Maximize Your Health!
We have seen the headlines:
“Food Allergies on the Rise,”
“When should I introduce peanuts?,”
“Accidental contamination leads to anaphylaxis.”

It seems that food allergies make an appearance in the news

on a regular basis these days. There is a good chance that
you or someone you know lives with food allergies. In fact,
15 million Americans live with food allergies.¹
Additionally, 1 in 13 children have food allergies, which is
about two in every classroom.¹

Photo
used with permission by Kids With Food Allergies
There is obviously a growing population that needs to make changes to their diet due to a food allergy
diagnosis. While many people know that food allergies are dangerous and can be life threatening, much less are
aware of the increased chance for nutrient deficiencies among those with food allergies.²

Let’s think about why this may be. The treatment for food allergies is complete
avoidance of the offending food or foods.³ If we eliminate a food entirely from our
diet, we become at risk for being deficient in whatever nutrients that specific food
provides.⁴ Take dairy for example. Dairy (or milk) is one of the top eight allergens
(the other seven being eggs, soy, fish, shellfish, wheat, peanuts and treenuts.⁵)
Milk is our primary dietary source of calcium and vitamin D. If we entirely
eliminate dairy products, as is necessary with a food allergy, we will eliminate a
large portion of our calcium and vitamin D intake.

Photo courtesy of US Department of Agriculture ARS Image Gallery. Agricultural

Research Service

Why does this matter? Deficiencies in specific nutrients can limit growth and development in children,
decrease the function of certain processes in the body and result in deficiency related diseases, like rickets and
scurvy.⁴

The best way to prevent these deficiencies is to consult with a registered dietitian (RD.) Why an RD? What
makes an RD more qualified than another health professional? Glad you asked!

A registered dietitian has a bachelor's degree in nutrition and/or dietetics and has completed an additional year
of practical learning in the form of a supervised internship.⁶ Once completed, he or she will take a national
exam which must be passed in order to be considered a registered dietitian. In order to maintain these
credentials, an RD must keep up with continuing education credits. In addition to these minimum requirements,
many RDs also hold masters degrees and/or advanced specialty certifications.⁶

There are many people out there with advice on how and what to eat. Be careful! The term “nutritionist” is not
regulated and anyone may use this title. This person may not have the level of knowledge and commitment to
evidence based medicine that an RD does.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP-Ed Connection Photo Gallery

A dietitian will be able to help determine if any nutrient deficiencies are already present, and will teach a client
how to avoid deficiencies going forward. This is very important, especially in children. We see many of food
allergy diagnoses occurring in childhood. Childhood is a time of significant growth. If a child suffers from a
nutrient deficiency, there can be irreversible damage.

Children with food allergies are more likely to suffer from nutrient deficiencies than other children their age.
This is likely due to the elimination of nutrients critical to growth as well as unknown factors related to allergic
mechanisms in the body. Nutrition counseling is an integral part of the treatment of food allergies for two
reasons:

1. Nutrition education will provide guidance to keep the patient safe by avoiding trigger foods in all forms.
2. Nutrition counseling will help identify any deficiencies, treat these, and prevent any further deficiencies
by providing alternate food choices to meet nutrient needs.

A registered dietitian is an important part of the treatment team. An RD is a nutrition expert, trained to provide
patients evidence-based nutrition education and assessment. By partnering with a registered dietitian, a child
with food allergies has a better opportunity to avoid nutrient deficiencies and grow to their potential.

For additional resources regarding food allergies, please visit:

www.foodallergy.org
www.kidswithfoodallergies.org

References

1. Food Allergy Research and Education. Food Allergy 101. FARE website.
https://www.foodallergy.org/life-food-allergies/food-allergy-101. Accessed June 12, 2018.
2. Kirby M, Danner E. Nutritional deficiencies in children on restricted diets. ​Pediatr Clin N
​ 009;56:1085-1103.
Am.2
3. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Food Allergies. American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma, and Immunology website.
https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/food-allergies. Accessed May 20, 2018.
4. Christie L, Hine J, Parker J, Burks W. Food allergies in children affect nutrient intake and growth. ​J Am
Diet Assoc. ​2002; 102:1648-1651.
5. Canani RB, Leone L, D’Auria E, et al. The effects of dietary counseling on children with food allergy: a
prospective, multicenter intervention study. ​J Acad Nutr Diet. ​2014;114:1432-1439.
6. What is a registered dietitian nutritionist? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
https://www.eatrightpro.org/about-us/what-is-an-rdn-and-dtr/what-is-a-registered-dietitian-nutritioni
st. Accessed May 24, 2018.