How to add allergies and foods to avoid
Updated October 2026 · 2 min read
Quick answer
Add each person's allergies and exclusions once under Profile. Plenishly applies them to every plan, and you can still check labels yourself.
Where to add them
Open Profile, then Dietary. Pick from the common allergens or type your own.
The nine major allergens
Milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy and sesame are the major allergens in the United States. Each has its own switch.
Add less common ones
Type anything else, like a spice or a fruit. Plenishly matches your words against ingredient names.
Per person
Each household member can have their own list, so a dinner can be safe for everyone at the table.
A note on safety
Plenishly helps keep a plan consistent with what you enter. It does not replace reading the label on the package, every time.
Why do you enter allergies before anything else?
A recipe that looks great is a bad recipe if it makes someone sick. Entering allergies first means every suggestion starts from what is safe. It is the one setup step that should never be skipped.
What are the nine major allergens?
In the United States, the FDA names nine foods as major allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Together they cause most serious food allergy reactions.
| Allergen | Where it hides |
|---|---|
| Milk | Butter, whey, casein, many breads and sauces |
| Eggs | Mayonnaise, pasta, baked goods, some sauces |
| Wheat | Soy sauce, gravy, breaded foods, some soups |
| Soy | Many sauces, processed meats, snack bars |
| Sesame | Burger buns, hummus, spice blends |
| Tree nuts and peanuts | Granola, sauces, baked goods, pesto |
| Fish and shellfish | Worcestershire sauce, Caesar dressing, stocks |
| Milk | Butter, whey, casein, many breads and sauces |
| Eggs | Mayonnaise, pasta, baked goods, some sauces |
| Wheat | Soy sauce, gravy, breaded foods, some soups |
| Soy | Many sauces, processed meats, snack bars |
What is the difference between an allergy and an intolerance?
An allergy involves the immune system and can be serious or life threatening. An intolerance, such as lactose intolerance, causes discomfort but not that kind of reaction. Enter both, and mark allergies as the ones that must never appear.
How do you handle cross-contact?
Cross-contact is when a safe food touches an allergen. Use clean boards, pans and utensils. Wash hands and surfaces with soap and water. Wiping is not enough. Check labels for the words "may contain" or "made in a facility that also processes."
What if a family member has a new diagnosis?
Ask your allergist or doctor what to avoid, and what to do in an emergency. Keep any prescribed medicine, such as an epinephrine auto-injector, where you can reach it and tell everyone who cooks or babysits.
Should you still read labels?
Yes, every time. Ingredients change, brands change and recipes at the store change. A saved list is a help, not a guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
It checks ingredient names against your list. Always read packaged food labels for hidden sources.
Yes. Each person in the household has their own list.
No. Your household rules carry over, so they stay the same when you change plans.
Yes. Sesame became the ninth major allergen in the United States in 2023.