If you often suffer from rashes or hives, gastric upsets like diarrhea or vomiting, or a stuffy nose, the culprit could be a food allergy.

While many foods can cause allergies, the eight most common food allergens are: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish.

If you're diagnosed with a food allergy, check ingredients lists on labels carefully -- villains may be hiding behind aliases. For example, wheat may be listed as gluten; milk may be listed as casein.

Take note: You may react to some food allergens -- fruits and vegetables in particular -- only when you eat them raw, but these foods could be harmless to you when cooked.

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