Food Allergies &

Intolerance
• I have an egg allergy
• She has an egg allergy
• I’m allergic to egg
• She’s allergic to egg
• Do you know anyone with a food allergy or special dietary requirement?
• What are they allergic to?
• Have they always had this allergy?
• What reaction do they have?
• Is it easy to avoid eating this food?
 Milk Butter

Dairy Meat
Products
Vegetables
Animal
Products Fish
FOOD

Poultry

Fruit
Other
 Discuss
• 1. What is food allergy?
• 2. How does food allergy occur?
• 3. What kinds of food can cause allergy?
• 4. What are the symptoms?
• 5. What should you do if you experience food allergy?
• 6. What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?
• 7. Give example of case
• Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food that is triggered by the
immune system
• If you have a food allergy, your immune system overreacts to a particular
protein found in that food. Symptoms can occur when coming in contact
with just a tiny amount of the food.
• Eight foods which cause the majority of allergic reactions:
• Cow’s milk
• Eggs
• Fish
• Peanuts
• Shellfish
• Soy
• Tree nuts
• Wheat
• Food intolerance, or food sensitivity occurs when a person has difficulty
digesting a particular food
• The immune system is not responsible for the symptoms of a food
intolerance, even though these symptoms can resemble those of a
food allergy.
• For example, being allergic to milk is different from not being able to digest
it properly due to lactose intolerance
 Causes of food intolerance:
• Absence of an enzyme needed to fully digest a food. Lactose intolerance is a
common example.
• Irritable bowel syndrome. This chronic condition can cause cramping,
constipation and diarrhea.
• Food poisoning. Toxins such as bacteria in spoiled food can cause severe
digestive symptoms.
• Sensitivity to food additives. For example, sulfites used to preserve dried fruit,
canned goods and wine can trigger asthma attacks in sensitive people.
• Recurring stress or psychological factors. Sometimes the mere thought of a
food may make you sick. The reason is not fully understood.
• Celiac disease. Celiac disease has some features of a true food allergy because
it involves the immune system. However, symptoms are mostly
gastrointestinal. This chronic digestive condition is triggered by eating gluten, a
protein found in wheat and other grains.
 Diabetes

• What is diabetes?
• What causes diabetes?
• What are the main features of type 1 diabetes?
• What are the main features of type 2 diabetes?
• What are some of the complications associated with type 2 diabetes?
• What are the treatments for diabetes?
Read the text about diabetes
 Matching
1. vegetarian (n/adj)
2. vegan (n/adj) a. without wheat (in bread, pasta, biscuits, cakes,
sauces, etc.
3. diabetic (n/adj) b. no meat
4. coeliac (n/adj) c. meat prepared according to Muslim religion
5. teetotal (adj) d. no alcohol
6. halal (n/adj) e. no gluten (in cereal grains)

7. dairy-free (adj) f. limited sugars and starch (depends on

individual)
8. wheat-free (adj)
g. no meat or animal products
h. without milk or milk products
 Practice: Dialogue 1
• Waiter: Good afternoon. Are you ready to order?
• Customer: Hello. Yes, we’ll have two soups, please.
• Waiter: Would you like bread or rolls with your soup?
• Customer: Rolls for my husband, but I’m allergic to wheat. Have you
got any oatcakes?
• Waiter: Yes, we have. I’ll bring you some.
• Customer: Thank you. Oh, and could you double-check that it’s
wheat-free?
• Waiter: Yes, I’ll check with the chef
 Practice: Dialogue 2
• Customer: Hello, my son’s highly allergic to dairy products. Can you tell
me what is safe for him to eat?
• Waitress: Here’s the menu. There are dairy-free meat and chicken dishes here.
• Customer’s son: But I don’t eat meat. I’m vegetarian. Well, vegan actually.
• Waitress: You can choose anything on the menu with a ‘V’ next to it.
• Customer’s son: OK. I’ll have the veggie burger.
• Customer: Can you check that the roll doesn’t have any seeds? I think he
might be allergic to seeds as well.
• Waitress: Just a moment, please. I’ll check with the chef.