We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Food

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Hypoallergenic Food?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 16,452
Share

Hypoallergenic food is food which is unlikely to cause allergic reactions. It is used in elimination diets which are utilized to pin down the causes of food allergies, and it is sometimes recommended to parents of young children, especially children in a family with a history of food allergies. Many foods are naturally hypoallergenic and easy to integrate into a hypoallergenic diet, and it is also possible to find manufactured food products produced by companies which specialize in hypoallergenic food. These foods tend to be expensive, and they are available through large grocery stores and health food stores.

Some people find the term “hypoallergenic” confusing, because they think it means that something hypoallergenic will not produce an allergic reaction. In fact, “hypo” just means “less,” so hypoallergenic foods are less likely to produce allergic reactions. This means that someone could still have allergies to hypoallergenic foods, especially if that individual had a very obscure allergy or an extremely high level of sensitivity.

Packaged foods which are designed to be hypoallergenic are made without the use of common allergens like wheat, nuts, soy, seafood, and dairy products. Ideally, hypoallergenic food is made in a facility which does not handle any of these items, to avoid the risk of cross-contamination. Some foods may eliminate any grains which contain gluten, along with corn, mangoes, eggplant, tomatoes, and other foods which are commonly linked with allergic reactions.

Naturally hypoallergenic foods include rice, apples, pears, beans, lamb, and most vegetables. In the case of someone with a suspected food allergy, a doctor will usually provide a list of safe foods which are consumed by the patient for several weeks before he or she slowly adds allergens back into the diet. When an allergic reaction is experienced, it can be traced back to a particular food, thereby pinpointing the allergen.

Some parents use hypoallergenic foods for very young children, out of concern that early exposures to potential allergens could trigger the development of an immune system response, thereby making the child allergic. Peanut butter, for example, may not be offered to toddlers for this reason. Parents should definitely consult an allergy specialist about an appropriate diet for their children, since additional information about allergies is always being uncovered.

Humans are not the only ones who sometimes need hypoallergenic food. Pets and animals sometimes develop reactions to food allergens, and several companies manufacture food which is suitable for animals on a hypoallergenic diet.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By Pimiento — On Sep 30, 2010

Allergies are a very interesting subject to me and even though there are some companies that pride themselves on being a hypoallergenic company, many other businesses don't much care. Health food companies are the most interested, I noticed... of course, to me, that makes a lot of sense. I think the article does a good job of pointing out that allergens can come even from indirect exposure. Such as a peanut allergy and eating something that's been cooked in peanut oil triggering it.

By ChickenLover — On Sep 30, 2010

@lmorales - I am not too clear on what you mean exactly, but it implies that a fun time will NOT be had by all. I think if you consult your pet's veterinarian you can find ways to test for allergies much like humans do. There is the prick test which I can tell you from experience is absolutely horrible and would not want even my worst enemy to go through.

By lmorales — On Sep 30, 2010

This type of food comes in all shapes and sizes - you can literally find hypoallergenic pet food now and no one seems to bat a lash at all. Truthfully, though, in order to find out if your pet is allergic to something you might find yourself on the unpleasant end of your best bud.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-hypoallergenic-food.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.