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Special food issues
Food and mood
It can feel frustrating, annoying, disappointing, and even scary to have a food allergy or other food issues. But with good planning, you can have fun with your friends — and eat some delicious foods.
Sometimes, kids get teased by other kids because of their food issues. Remember, it’s never okay for someone to treat you badly. You can talk to an adult you trust and read more about dealing with bullies.
These days, a growing number of kids seem to have allergies to certain foods. They can get bad stomachaches and other problems after eating things like peanuts or drinking milk. But many of these kids have a food intolerance, and not a food allergy. So what's the difference?
Food allergies are caused by a problem with your immune system. Usually, your immune system works to protect you from germs and infections. If you have a food allergy, your immune system acts as though the food is something dangerous. Eating even a small amount of the food can cause a serious and even life-threatening reaction. Learn more about food allergies.
Food intolerances are caused by a problem with your digestion. Your body has trouble breaking down a certain food. A food intolerance can cause some of the same symptoms as a food allergy, such as nausea, cramps, and diarrhea. But a food intolerance is less dangerous than a food allergy, so you may be able to eat small amounts of the food. You can learn about lactose intolerance, which is one of the more common types of food intolerances.
Content last reviewed November 05, 2013
Page last updated December 23, 2013
