Nutrition and food allergies: the dietitian's role.

BACKGROUND: A varied nutrient intake provides the opportunity for an adequate nutrient intake balance while reducing malnutrition risks. When a food allergy diagnosis has been made, medical nutrition therapy with scheduled follow-up visits can provide a way to monitor the overall health effects of food elimination. Identifying individuals at risk may protect and possibly improve the patient's nutritional and overall health status. Medical nutrition therapy with appropriate food allergen substitution(s) provides the tools necessary giving the food-allergic patient the specific focus needed for improved nutrition self-care and food allergen avoidance.
OBJECTIVE: To reduce the food allergic patient's risk of developing malnutrition by providing exceptional nutrition intervention. DATA SOURCES: Review of the literature with clinical perspectives.
CONCLUSIONS: The food-allergic patient is less likely to develop nutrient deficiencies or malnutrition when provided with appropriate food alternatives and careful monitoring while eliminating the food allergen(s), short- or long-term, from the diet. The dietitian is the most qualified professional to address the food-allergic patient's medical nutrition therapy needs.