WFP: Allergies
I remember those little innocent looking peas, rolling around on my plate. Oh, that horrible little pile of peas, just sitting there, taunting me. It felt like we had them every night, and I always whined about how much I hated them and that they "hurt". They first made my mouth itch, and then my throat felt tight, and then it felt like a rock being pushed up and down my chest… youch. Later I learned this was the beginnings of anaphylactic shock- that "rock" I felt pushing through my chest was the feeling of my airway constricting. You see, in my house, we had to eat what was on our plates. I was too young to have the words for what was happening, and my poor mother couldn’t see what was happening, and so this went on for a while. I was frequently in pain at dinner time, and I remember feeling a great deal of stress whenever we were having something I was allergic to. One day, over a bowl of split pea soup, my allergy became evident. In addition to the usual symptoms, my eyes started to swell and I broke out in hives, etc. It was bad, but it also meant my parents were finally able to give me the words for what was happening, and most of all it meant no more peas…
I am sure that I’m allergic to peas, kidney beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), lima beans, and lentils. Those are the only things I’m sure of, because I actually had a reaction to those things in the past. All of these are legumes. However, I’m not allergic to all legumes. I can eat green beans, black beans, pinto beans, soy, peanuts, etc… so there’s really no way for me to know what the connection is. All the other legumes I avoided, because we couldn’t be sure that I’d be okay. I’m very good at avoiding these things, and I haven’t had a reaction in years.
The other night, I went to my friend’s house for dinner. She made this delicious African stew. I was happily munching away when I took a closer look at the beans in it. Turns out, I’d been eating Great Northern beans… I stopped and waited. I felt very stupid for not having filled my Epi-pen prescription. I waited some more. Nothing happened. She felt bad about the misunderstanding, but I felt grateful! She helped me to find another bean I can eat! Sure, it was dangerous, but all is well and I’m really excited to add another legume to my repertoire. A few days later she gave me some awesome hummus that she made with the beans. I started in on it slowly, still feeling unsure. I mean, I can’t eat hummus ever, it’s always made with garbanzos. But again nothing happened, and soon I was dipping my whole finger in it and feeling ridiculously triumphant. Hummus!
It just got me thinking about food allergies, and how I wish we better understood them. What causes this immune response? Can we prevent these allergies? Can we outgrow them? What makes a tiny little green pea so dangerous to one little girl? This has got me thinking about revisiting this whole issue- I’ll be going back to the allergist, and I hope to get more testing done. I did recently find that I can eat the pea plant, and I can eat lentils after they’ve been sprouted. I’m hoping to share this stuff with my allergist and hopefully he can use that information.
What about you guys? Any thoughts on this stuff?
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Hmm… I’m not an expert on this matter, but I think certain people may be able to outgrow food allergies, while others have severe allergies for life. My first boyfriend had an allergic reaction to shellfish when he was small. Then when we were eating out once, he drew a square on his hand and dripped clam chowder soup on it. I think when he got no skin wheals, he started eating the soup, and nothing happened to him.
I was not allergic to anything as a child, but I developed an allergy to ibuprofen at age 15 or 16 (don’t risk taking it now), and then developed a cat allergy when I was 25.
Wow, it would react on his skin?! That guy is brave…
no idea on your other points, but in terms of outgrowing allergies, it’s deifnitely possible.
i was allergic to citrus fruit and strawberries as a child. no issues after age 5-6. my cousin was allergic to the world. seriously, the only things that kid could stomach w/out breaking out in hives was boiled chicken. he doesn’t have a single allergy as an adult.
what i find even stranger is when people grow into allergies. my BFF, who never had any allergies, found out she’s allergic to okra while out having dinner one night. i didn’t have seasonal allergies until a decade ago when i suddenly did. it’s all so strangely fascinating.
i love white beans hummus and edamame hummus. such awesome alternatives to chickpeas. glad you got to enjoy some. :]
Man, I so wish we understood them better! Like, what happens to the person that grows out of them? How do people develop them? I agree, it’s really strange to develop one- my brother just recently started reacting to avocado. 🙁
I wish I was there to join in your hummus celebration! There would be pita. yum
And chocolate chip cookies, decidedly. I love you. Sorry our phone dates have sort of gone out the window. We will have to reinstate them. I’m all for still working at it!
Non-anaphylactic allergies explained and often healed!
I was blog hopping while reading about chicken livers (still not qhite that brave yet!) and stumbled onto your site. HI! 🙂 Look into the GAPS diet (Gut and Psychology Syndrome). The doctor who started the program to heal her son’s autism does a great job of explaining how gut health is related to so many different disorders and diseases. I have recently started with my almost three year old daughter for her food allergies – and unknowingly mine – and can attest to the health benefits!
I look forward to reading more of your blog!
Best,
Jennifer
http://20somethingallergies.blogspot.com/
It’s true that many folks out grow their food sensitivities or allergies, while others seem to pick them up as they age. Our bodies are smart, sensitive wonders! Unfortunately, this means there really is a lot science doesn’t understand. The immune system is intense! Hormones, gut flora, brain synapses…ay yiyi! Have you looked into what characteristics the foods you are/were allergic to have in common? It might be a particular genus or plant chemical…
Shannon at Nourishing Days blog has experienced a lot with food sensitivities/allergies and writes often about them. She’s a smart cookie, she might have some answers! Or at least more in depth theories!
Can’t wait to see you! I will NOT serve you peas or garbanzos! 🙂