Researchers estimate that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies and can affect 1 in 13 children. This works out to every 2 children in each classroom having food allergies. This has been a 50% increase from 1997 to 2011. The CDC has also determined children, teens and young adults with asthma, eczema, or environmental allergies such as hay fever tend to be more susceptible to food allergies.
Eight foods are found to account for 90% of all reactions.
These include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish.
The most common signs of food sensitivity/allergy is tingling in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and throat, difficulty breathing, hives, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, lowered blood pressure and in the most extreme cases death. Symptoms frequently missed by parents and providers as being related to food allergies includes headaches, fatigue, nasal congestion, irritability, skin discoloration or rash and less specific behaviors such as "sighing", colic, asthma, bedwetting or ADHD type behavior.
Eating healthy isn't always easy, but it's worth it. Healthy eating habits do much more than decrease your risk of chronic diseases. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is key to feeling and looking your best. Whenever possible eating fresh, in season, fruits and vegetables with lean organic meats is ideal. You can also eat nuts and seeds to supplement your day with a healthy snack.
An easy way to determine if you are eating well is to look at the packaging. Basically, If it's white, wrapped in plastic or in a box don't eat it! It is also helpful to avoid soy, grains, dairy, gluten, grains and both sugar and artificial sweeteners. The best approach to keeping it simple is to only eat fresh organic foods.
Introduce your family to fresh, local produce by visiting a farmers' market or the Happy Valley Farm Trail here in beautiful northern California. In Shasta County we have a number of great farmers' markets that operate during the summer months and the Redding Saturday Market runs through December. Stop by a farmers' market or explore the Happy Valley Farm Trail to see what's available throughout the year! Another option is to grow your own. Nothing tastes as good as homegrown, fresh vegetables!
For more detailed information on the benefits of eating organic, return to the home page and scroll to the featured articles section. Look for the article titled "Locally grown, organically grown - You are what you eat"!
Certified Farmers' Markets (2019 Schedules)
Shasta County has a number of certified seasonal farmers' markets that provide produce and other food that is fresh, locally grown, and often organic.
1. Redding Market Saturday, Apr 6 - Dec 14, 7:30 am - Noon
(Civic Center West Parking Lot, 777 Cypress Avenue, Redding)
2. Sundial Market Sunday, June 9 - October 13 8:00 am - Noon
(Behind Civic Auditorium, 700 Auditorium Dr., Redding )
3. Marilyn Miller Market Tuesday, June 11 - October 15, 7:30 am - Noon
(Shasta Center Parking Lot, 1700 Churn Creek Road, Redding)
4. Burney Market Wednesday, June 12 - September 25, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
(Burney Sporting Goods Parking Lot, 37427 Hwy 299 E., Burney )
5. Anderson Market Thursday, June 3 - Sept 23, 7:30 am - noon
(Shasta Gateway Shopping Center, 1699 Hwy 273, #100 Anderson)
6. Gather Marketplace Saturdays 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
(1043 State Street, Redding)
7. Palo Cedro 50 Mile Market Thursdays 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
(22037 Old Forty Four Drive, Palo Cedro, Palo Cedro Community Guide Hall)
8. Shasta Lake Farmers' Market May 4 - October 26, 6:00 pm - 9:00 p
(4302 Shasta Dam Blvd., Shasta Lake, CA)
9. Red Bluff Farmers' Markets
Saturday: Year-round, 8:00 am - Noon
(100 Main St Red Bluff)