Why do we all eat different foods?

Due to advances in food production, we have a wide range of food and drink options. We call what we eat and drink our diet.

Some people have special dietary needs. It is a diet that contains or avoids certain foods. Diets can vary for many reasons such as:

allergies, intolerances or health issues

faith

cultural preferences

Food allergies

Our body's immune system protects us from bacteria and viruses. It tries to keep us from getting sick and help us get better if we get sick.

Food allergy means that certain foods can severely damage our immune system.

Some food allergies can be dangerous.

Swelling, itching or shortness of breath and swallowing are symptoms of food allergy.

People with food allergies need to be careful to avoid these foods in order to be safe and well.

People can be allergic to many different things.

Milk allergy

It is very common to be allergic to milk. We eat a lot of products made from cow's milk, such as butter, cheese and ice cream. Cow's milk contains calcium and we need it for strong bones.

There are many milk-free options for people who can't take it. For example, milk made from different vegetables such as soy, almond, coconut, or oats. Extra calcium is added to many foods that do not contain cow's milk.

Gluten allergy

Many people have a gluten allergy. Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat and rye.

Many foods made with gluten, such as bread, biscuits and pasta, contain gluten. Many of these foods can be made with different grains and there are now gluten-free options.

Gluten allergy is not the same as gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

The most common food allergies are: cow's milk, nuts, eggs, fish (especially shellfish) and gluten.

Fortunately, if you have a food allergy, there are many other options for you.

Peanut allergy

People with peanut allergies may not eat them. Some need to make sure they avoid getting involved with peanuts in any way.

If they are eating in a restaurant, they need to make sure that peanuts were not prepared close to their food and that the food was not cooked in peanut oil. If they have a severe allergy, they need to stay away from peanut eaters.

Food intolerances

Food intolerance is not the same as food allergy (when food can severely damage your body's immune system).

Food intolerances are less dangerous. They do not cause life threatening symptoms. They can affect the digestive system and give you a headache and inflammation in the stomach.

Celiac disease

People with celiac disease need to be careful not to eat gluten. Celiac disease means that your immune system damages your intestines if you eat gluten. This can be very painful and your body may stop absorbing nutrients properly.

It is very important that people with celiac disease do not take gluten - fortified food when it is made, cooked or served.

Religion

People who belong to a religion usually have certain beliefs. These beliefs may affect the food they eat. For instance:

There are kosher rules about how people who follow Jewish teaching in the Torah prepare and eat food. For example, kosher foods do not contain pork or shellfish. Meat must be prepared in certain ways, and dairy products and meat products must not be kept together.

Halal is the name of a food allowed according to Islam. Some foods need to be prepared and eaten in a certain way according to the teachings of Islam in the Qhur'an.

Many Hindus avoid beef as part of their religion.

Cultural preferences

Culture (common attitudes or values ​​of a group of people) can also influence our diet.

Many people follow a special diet for many reasons, such as environmental protection and animal welfare.

Common examples:

Vegetarians - do not eat meat. They usually eat other animal products, such as eggs and dairy products.

Vegans - do not eat meat or anything from animals, such as cheese and milk.

Fishermen - do not eat meat but eat fish and other animal products.