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A milk allergy is different than lactose intolerance and is most common in infants and young children, although most will outgrow the allergy. Cow milk and products should be avoided, as reactions can be mild, such as hives, and sometimes life-threatening. It is also wise to avoid milk from all other animals.

Some unexpected sources of milk:

• Baked goods
• Luncheon meat, hot dogs, sausages
• Nondairy products (look for casein)
• Shellfish is sometimes dipped in milk to mask the odor
• Restaurants sometimes put butter on steaks for flavor

Egg allergies are the second most common childhood allergy and most children will outgrow it. Reactions can be mild, such as hives, and sometimes life-threatening. Eggs from other birds should also be avoided.

Some unexpected sources of eggs:

• Egg substitutes
• Macaroni
• Marzipan
• Lecithin
• Marshmallows
• Pasta
• Pretzels are sometimes dipped in egg wash before they are salted

Not to be confused with gluten intolerance, wheat allergies can be mild or life-threatening. Many people with wheat allergies can tolerate other grains, but it's safe to stay away from them if you don't know for sure.

Some unexpected sources of wheat:

• Couscous
• Cracker meal
• Flour
• Glucose syrup
• Soy sauce
• Starch
• Beer
• Processed meat
• Salad dressing
• Ice cream
• Potato chips
• Hot dogs
• Imitation crabmeat

Soy is another common infant and childhood allergy that is often outgrown. Soy allergies can be mild or severe, though severe reactions are rare.

Some unexpected sources of soy:

• Canned tuna and meat
• Cereals
• Cookies
• Crackers
• High-protein energy bars and snacks
• Low-fat peanut butter
• Processed meats
• Sauces
• Canned broths and soups

People with fish allergies are most commonly allergic to salmon, tuna and halibut, although it is advised to avoid all fish. Many people who are allergic to finned fish are not allergic to shellfish. Be advised that fish protein can become airborne in the steam released while cooking.

Some unexpected sources of fish:

• Caesar dressing
• Worcestershire sauce
• Bouillabaisse
• Imitation fish or shellfish
• Meatloaf
• Barbecue sauce
• Caponata (Sicilian eggplant relish)

Shrimp, crab and lobster cause most shellfish allergies, and 60% of people with this allergy experienced their first reaction as an adult. There are two kinds of shellfish: crustacean (shrimp, crab and lobster) and mollusks (clams, mussels, oysters and scallops). Most shellfish reactions tend to be severe. It is also best to avoid all shellfish if there is an allergic reaction to any of them.

Crustacean shellfish to avoid:

• Barnacle
• Crab
• Crawfish
• Krill
• Lobster
• Prawns
• Shrimp

Mollusk shellfish to avoid:

• Abalone
• Clams
• Cockle
• Cuttlefish
• Limpet
• Mussels
• Octopus
• Oysters
• Periwinkle
• Sea cucumber
• Sea urchin
• Scallops
• Snails
• Squid
• Whelk

Forbidden: None. Many people will not eat meat or fish however.

Fast: Only for Buddhist monks.

Forbidden: None.

Fast: Catholics will refrain from consuming meat on Fridays of Lent and on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Forbidden: Meat, fish, poultry and eggs. Some people also avoid garlic, onions, alcohol, tea and coffee.

Fast: Sundays, day of the new moon, the full moon, 10th and 11th of each month, the feast of Slvaratri, the ninth day of Sravana, and days of eclipses, equinoxes, solstices and conjunction of the planets.

Forbidden: Emulsifiers and stabilizers of animal origin, gelatin, non-kosher meat, birds of prey and non-kosher fish, such as prawns, shellfish, turbot skate and sturgeon.

Fast: Yom Kippur and Tisha b'Av, during this time eating and drinking are forbidden for a 25-hour period. Partial fast days (no food or drink from sunrise to sunset) include Tzom Gedallah, Tenth of Tevet and Seventeenth of Tamuz, Ta'anit Ester and Ta'anit Bechorim.

Forbidden: Pork, lard or any pork substance, gelatin from animal source that is not halal, meat that is not slaughtered in the prescribed Islamic way, meat coming from a lawful animal, which died before slaughter, blood, any food or drink with alcohol, all carnivorous animals and birds of prey, and some non-halal additives.

Fast: Voluntary fasting is common on Mondays and Thursdays. Ramadan is a mandatory fasting period. Muslims are also encouraged to fast six days during the month of Shawwal, on the 10th day of Muharram, and the 9th day of Zul Hijjah.