Top 5 Hidden Ingredients to Avoid With Alpha-Gal Allergy

Anyone with an Alpha-Gal allergy knows that we are allergic to mammals and their byproducts. Doctors often dub Alpha-Gal Syndrome a “red meat allergy.” But it’s so much more than that! Because, as I’ve found out the hard way through my Alpha-Gal journey, mammal byproducts are lurking everywhere.

How do we know which foods have mammal byproducts and which ones are safe?

Part of navigating life with AGS is becoming expert food detectives. At least, maybe if we look at it that way it won’t seem so overwhelming.

Today I’m sharing five hidden ingredients to avoid that can trigger allergic reactions, as well as some alternatives you can use instead. A few of these ingredients I had to discover on my own, and a couple I learned about from the wonderful information found on the Alpha Gal Support Facebook groups. 

Before going any further, I just want to add that I am not a doctor or a nutritionist. I can’t promise that the ingredient alternatives I mention in this post are allergen-free. However, all of the alternatives I mention have been safe for me to use.

1. Sugar

Is this really a hidden ingredient? Maybe not so much. In the US,  we consume a huge amount of sugar. But how in the world can sugar trigger an allergic reaction?

Well, sugar can be a hidden trigger in that the less expensive and widely used white sugar (white sugar, cane sugar, confectioners or powdered sugar and brown sugar) is filtered through bone char.  The bone char filter is what gives sugar its white or lighter-than-natural color. Who know, right? I never would have guessed that bone char is involved in the sugar-making process!

It will be in your best interest, at least initially, to avoid all unknown sources of sugar. That includes candy, cake, donuts, sweet tea, soda, cookies, etc.

Does that mean you need to avoid sugar entirely? Definitely not! There are vegan brands of sugar available in most areas of the US. Where I live in North Carolina, Morena Sugar and Florida Crystals are readily available at Walmart.

2. Gelatin

Gelatin is another big no no!  Gelatin is derived from skin, bones, and fat from animals.

Gelatin is both in medicine and in foods, making it hard to avoid. Marshmallows, jello, jellies and jams, gummy bears and gummy candies, gel caps and gels that thicken foods and medicines all contain gelatin. Forms of gelatin can be found in shampoos, lotions, creams and even toothpaste.

Be careful of the vegan gelatin replacements that are showing up on the shelves too. The majority of these are made from the seaweed carrageenan. While seaweed is definitely not a mammal, carrageenan actually contains the same Alpha Gal sugar, alpha galactose. Carrageenan is a huge trigger for me personally.  

3. Whey & Casein

Whey and Casein are found in many things today, especially popular protein drinks and powders. As a person with Alpha-Gal Syndrome, you will want to thoroughly scour the ingredients lists before ingesting any brand of protein drink or shake. High protein processed foods like protein bars, protein powders, protein drinks also usually contain whey protein. In other words, if you are trying to maintain a high protein diet, look for vegan protein products which are usually made from nuts or peas. 

Whey is also found in soups, sauces, dressings, and even in some chips! And just when you think it can’t get any worse, whey or casein can sometimes be found in bread and baked goods.

4. Tallow & Lard

Tallow (pork fat) and Lard (beef fat) are additional ingredients to avoid. These ingredients are found in fried foods, processed fried foods, protectants, and seasoning for cast iron cookware. 

Lard and Tallow are also used in natural skin care products, balms/moisturizers, and soaps. Check any product with moisturizing benefits for tallow and lard, because the animal fats are used for their moisturizing properties. However, they usually aren’t listed in the ingredients list as tallow and lard, Instead, check for code words such as palmatic or stearic acids.

Of course, it all depends on your sensitivity too. For some with AGS, they can use skin products with mammal ingredients and not have an allergic reaction. For others, their Alpha-Gal allergy is more severe and the should avoid even coming into contact with mammal byproducts.

5. Vitamin D

Did you know that vitamin D is predominantly sourced from lanolin, which comes from sheep's wool? Thus, it can trigger a reaction for some folks with Alpha-Gal allergy.

Common food products enriched with vitamin D are breads, flours, cereals, milks both dairy and nondairy.  Even Orange juice and other bottled juices are often enriched with vitamin D. 

Navigating your diet with Alpha-Gal allergy

Obviously, the standard American diet is difficult to navigate with Alpha-Gal Syndrome. After your diagnosis, I suggest you start by eating simply and trying to use simple products with minimal ingredients. The fewer ingredients the better. Fresh vegetables, non-mammal meats, and grains are your best starting place.

From there, start researching foods that are safe for you. You can add back in sweets as you find ones that are made with organic sugars, honey, maple syrup or stevia.  You may even become an expert cook so that you can have all the yumminess you desire with mammal-free ingredients. Click here for a more detailed guide on adding new foods into your diet.

Please believe me that you CAN do this!  Many of us with Alpha-Gal allergy live rich and full lives. You can too. Be patient with yourself. There is a grieving process with any thing that steals our pleasures.  But the future will bring new foods and varieties of foods that will allow you to enjoy eating again.