Food allergy - nutritional education and therapy

After diagnosis of food allergy, comprehensive nutritional management is vital for the patient, especially if basic foods or multiple food items are to be avoided. For dietary education regarding elimination of offending food(s), not only information regarding food labelling and hidden sources of the allergen should be given to the patient. For pollen-associated food allergy and certain chronic conditions it might be necessary to be aware of possible triggering factors as well as potential cross reactions. Apart from avoidance, safe altemative foods have to be determined to maintain a nutritionally balanced diet and to keep up a high quality of life. To ensure the nutritionally adequacy of the diet, micro- and macronutrient intake should be analysed and improved, if necessary. An effective individual management of food allergy in every day life by the patient is to a high degree dependent on the quality of the nutritional education and therapy.