Fish/Shelfish

Seafood is huge on coast lines and plays a traditional role in Asian cuisine.  The coast lines are known for their fresh catches of he day and amazing seafood markets.  Even though I live in a mountain town its not un-common to have a weekly sushi night at major establishments.  Idaho trout, though farm raised is a huge attraction for tourists when they pass through the scenic byways.  Furthermore, most places serve Oysters Rockefeller on a half shell for an Easter buffet special.  Regardless of the huge amounts of seafood and selfish served around the world a large amount of Americans will be diagnosed with an allergy or intolerance to fish or seafood.

 



Seafood

  1. Fish
  2. Shellfish

Facts

-          7 million Americans have a fish, seafood, or shellfish allergy

-          Salmon, Halibut and Tuna are the most common fish allergy’s

-          This is a lifelong allergy

 

 

Symptoms

  • Hives, itching or eczema
  • Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other parts of the body
  • Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
  • Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, light headedness or fainting
  • Tingling in the mouth
  • Anaphylaxis

Hidden Ingredients

  • Salad dressing
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Bouillabaisse
  • Imitation fish or shellfish
  • Meatloaf
  • Barbecue sauce (some are made from Worcestershire)
  • For the shellfish allergic, stay away from all shelled fish: crab, lobster, shrimp and snails.
  • Also mollusks (clams and oysters) should be avoided.
  • Vitamins such as Glucosamine Chondroitin are contraindicated for the shellfish allergic. Most brands will have a warning on their label.
  • Shellfish and fish allergy: dishes to look out for
  • Dishes to look out for include paella, bouillabaisse, gumbo (a Tex Mex dish), frito misto (a mixed fried fish dish from the Mediterranean coast), and fruits de mer (seafood). Oriental food tends to contain lots of different kinds of fish at once, and chopped pieces can be difficult to spot.
  • Surimi (a processed seafood product) is usually made from white fish but may contain shellfish extract. Surimi can be present in processed foods such as pizza toppings.
  • Caesar salad dressing normally contains anchovies. Worcestershire sauce may.
  • Caponata, a traditional sweet and sour Sicilian relish, can contain anchovies.
  • Kedgeree is made with rice and fish.
  • Fish sauce is a common ingredient in the Far East. Terms to look out for are Nuoc Mam and Nam Pla.
  • Fish sauce can be made with shellfish as well as fish.
  • Patum Peperium (Gentleman’s Relish) is a spread made with anchovies.
  • Menhaden is a type of fish caught along the Atlantic coast. It is used in products such as vitamins, soap, lipstick, paint, insect spray, and waterproofing.
  • Check the ingredient lists on ready-made Oriental sauces, pastes and prepared meals. In fact check the ingredient lists of all food for unexpected ingredients.
  • Iodine
  • (People with shellfish allergy are sometimes warned against iodine, an element present in a wide range of items including shellfish, seaweed, cleaning products, and X-ray dyes. However, iodine allergy is unrelated to shellfish allergy. The allergen present in shellfish is not iodine but muscle protein in the flesh.)




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