I recently had blood work done (the ALCAT Test) to determine if I have allergies to certain foods. The test said I have a possible reaction to rice! I have always heard that rice is one of the safest foods to eat; can I really have an allergy to rice? How would I be sure? If I do, what is a good substitute for rice in meals?

A.

While rice is generally regarded as a hypoallergenic food, meaning it has a very low incidence of causing allergic reactions, anyone can become allergic to anything at any time. So, it is possible to be allergic to rice.

Since blood allergy tests can all have false positives (the test shows you are allergic to something you are not) and false negatives (test shows you're not allergic to something you are), you should discuss the results with your doctor. You indicate that the test showed only a possible reaction to rice and your doctor can help you with interpreting that result.

The best test for food allergy continues to be elimination and reintroduction of foods. It can be tedious as an initial test. However, it is a great way to confirm your blood test results. Restrict your diet to only the foods that your ALCAT test showed you are not allergic to until your allergy symptoms improve significantly (usually 2-3 weeks). Then eat rice at each meal for several days. If you are allergic to the rice, you will have increased allergy symptoms. If no symptoms appear, you are most likely not allergic to it. You can test other foods or food groups the same way.

Often if there is not a severe reaction to a particular food or food group, you can eat the food on an occasional basis (no more than once every 4-7 days). If you are allergic to many foods or food groups, a rotation diet may offer the best option for minimizing food reactions and allowing a varied diet. Your doctor can advise you about food rotation. There is a very good book on food allergies, food groups and rotation diet, Food Makes the Difference by Patricia Kane. Unfortunately, it is no longer in print, but you may be able to find a copy at the library or through a used book store or amazon.com.

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