Constantly Reading Food Labels

Shocked young woman inspecting a can’s nutrition label with a magnifying glass
I don’t get bored eating the same food over and over again. I love certain foods. I once thought that once I determined whether or not I could eat a food, I would always be able to enjoy it. Unfortunately this is not the case.

I don’t get bored eating the same food over and over again. I love certain foods. I once thought that once I determined whether or not I could eat a food, I would always be able to enjoy it. Unfortunately this is not the case.

My days of eating Cheerios or Honeycombs for breakfast are over. I also miss chewing and popping gum. Before my allergy, I didn’t realize how much I would rely on chemistry and nutrition.

Trying to decipher the average food label is work.

In 2004, congress passed the Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act. The act requires food manufacturers to label the top eight food allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat) so consumers can make informed food buying decisions. The Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act helps.

I continually have to interpret whether or not food manufacturers are placing potential allergens in processed food.

For instance common food labels for “nuts” include: hydrolyzed plant protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, vegetable fat, vegetable oil and natural flavoring. Similarly, common food labels for soy/soya include: hydrolyzed vegetable or plant oil, natural and artificial flavoring, textured vegetable protein (TVP) and vegetable gum.

I appreciate when innovative companies respond to consumer needs. The NON-GMO project and Well Amy are positively filling a void. They are helping consumers, with our without food allergies, each better food. It makes a difference and fills the void.

2 comments
  1. Christy,
    Recently I was diagnosed with nickel allergy as well as CL+ME-Isothiazolinone. As you know this can alter your way of life quite a bit. Thank you for this site. In all of my research yours has been the most helpful in terms of the foods I can eat and how to deal with this condition. I am a huge seafood lover so that has been the hardest to deal with as well as greens. Anyway, just wanted to say thank you. Robin

    1. Hi Robin,
      Thanks for your comment and appreciation for my website. I am not aware of CL+ME-Isothiazolinone allergies. I too love seafood and eat fish regularly. I plan to write about fish and nickel allergies soon.
      Warm regards,
      Christy

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