Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

What characterizes a food allergy?

1. An inability to process certain nutrients

2. An immune response to dietary protein

3. A digestive disorder affecting absorption

4. A sensitivity to environmental factors

The correct answer is: An immune response to dietary protein

The correct answer highlights that a food allergy is characterized by an immune response to dietary protein. In individuals with food allergies, the immune system mistakenly identifies specific proteins in food as harmful. This triggers an immune response that can result in various symptoms, which may include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, and even anaphylaxis in severe cases. Understanding that food allergies specifically involve the immune system's reaction to proteins helps differentiate them from other conditions such as food intolerances or sensitivities, which may not involve an immune response. This distinction is crucial in clinical settings, particularly for dietary managers who need to appropriately plan meals for individuals with food allergies to avoid potentially life-threatening reactions. The other options relate to different concepts; for instance, the inability to process certain nutrients pertains more to metabolic disorders, while digestive disorders affect the body's ability to absorb nutrients rather than invoke an immune response. Sensitivities to environmental factors are unrelated to food allergies and pertain more to allergies caused by pollen, dust, or animal dander.