It’s estimated that as many as one in 25, or 4%, of the population suffers from food allergies, and for reasons that aren’t properly understood, the prevalence of food allergies is on the rise.
Common food allergies include those to milk, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts (almonds, cashews, etc.), eggs, soy, fish, and shellfish. Allergic reactions to food range from a moderate itching of the throat to anaphylactic shock.
If your child has been diagnosed with severe food allergies, then you know just how important it is to keep a close eye on what he or she eats. Unfortunately, many adults and children who interact with your child may not be as familiar with food allergies and may offer food or candy, unknowingly, that can be potentially harmful or deadly to your child.
Here are a few tips, put together by the lovely people at N-Style ID, on how you can help your child live with food allergies and make sure everyone is on the same page:
- Make sure every adult who interacts with your child knows what your child cannot eat. Help them understand exactly why it is so important that your son avoid peanuts or your daughter skip the soy. Explain how to check packaging for ingredients and allergy information.
- Teach your child and other parents the signs of an allergic reaction so that no time is lost in case of an emergency.
- If your child has an EpiPen, Twinject, or other medication let other parents know when and how these things should be used, as well as where they can be found: in a pocket, bag, etc.
- Help your child understand their allergies. It can be difficult for children to not eat the same things their friends are, so help them understand what foods are dangerous and why. It can also be helpful for them to wear medical alert bracelets so those who are around them are more aware of these allergies.
- Send your child to any activity with a good number of “approved” snacks and goodies.
- Avoid homemade treats made by other parents, even if none of the ingredients are dangerous. This is important if your child is particularly sensitive to any trace of the allergen.
- Include your child in the decision making when it comes to food. If they are provided with things that they have chosen, they are much more likely to eat them.
Helping your child live with food allergies does not mean that your child has to miss out on any opportunity. What it does require is a little extra time and attention, and a lot of help from other adults and parents to help supervise your child’s safety.
If your child or a child you care about has food allergies, you can win a complimentary medical ID for them from N-Style ID (medical jewelry for every occasion). The bracelets are seriously stylish so your child will look forward to wearing them!
Leave a comment below about what your child is allergic to and the creative ways in which you’ve let others know how to keep them safe and you will be entered in our random drawing to receive a complimentary bracelet. One winner will be chosen randomly on August 31st and provided with a discount code to use online.
Related Posts via Categories
- Carb Lovers Unite
- Reduce your Pre-Party Planning Stress with Subway® Catering
- Dairy Queen wants to give you a MINI Cooper Countryman
- iBreastfeed
- National Women’s Health Week
- The Mommy Diaries
- Take a Spa Day at Spa Aquazul
- TOTEM by Cirque du Soleil (giveaway)
- Flash giveaway – San Diego Mirror Mirror screening
- Let’s Get Naked (sponsored post)
My Logan is allergic to eggs, nuts, corn and all corn by products, soy and all soy by products, most food dyes, and has opiate effect to dairy, as well as gluten intolerance.
We used to have him wear a food grade silicone allergy bracelet on his ankle when he was a baby, but since he is 3 now and takes them off, we have him wear shirts that say ” Please don’t feed me”, and we carry an epi-pen jr. for him at all times.
Until now, we have not had much of a problem with others feeding him because he has been home bound so much. But in a couple of weeks he starts pre- Pre-K as part of the early intervention program and I am worried out of my mind about what he might be given for treats and snacks, even though we have a freakishly long list of things the classroom is never allowed to have.
My son has celiac disease. He will be starting 1st grade next week. I have to say that his preK and KG teacher, as well as our friends, have been great at helping keep him safe and away from gluten! I have a standard letter that I provide the teachers to distribute to the class families listing his restrictions, and ask that they please contact me if they will be supplying snacks/treats for the classroom so that I can provide a similar but gf substitute for my son. He is good about questioning whether foods are safe, but some adults don’t understand his dietary restrictions ~ on his ID bracelet I have my cell and home ph#’s along with my email so that they can contact me with questions. It’s been a lifesaver, and he doesn’t mind wearing it a bit!
My daughter is entering SK in a few weeks. She is allergic to peanuts and Nuts. The staff at her school is very good about keeping the school peanut/nut free. She is unfortunately wearing an adult ID bracelet because I cannot seem to find any kid ones here in my city. I have to order it online and I do not have a credit card. (I know, weird…) The silly thing gets caught on everything. I do have a funny story about her allergy. For her JK year-end party, I made Pea-butter cookies, which taste and smell almost exactly like real peanut butter cookies. Very Yummy! I had parents and teachers warning me that someone was ignorant enough to bring peanut butter cookies to the school function when it is well known that there is a child (my child) with severe peanut/nut allergy in the class! They were horrified and scared for my child’s health and safety! I had to eventually go to the microphone and make an announcement to all of the parents, students and teachers in the gym, and inform them that I made the cookies, and that they were not peanut butter, but that they were Pea-butter cookies! They all had a good chuckle at the thought that it was the parent that made the so-called “dangerous cookies” for her own child! Then they asked me for the recipe.
We just found out our 1 year old has a peanut allergy. These tips on handling it are very helpful!
My daughter is allergic to Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Shellfish, and some other fish. We officially found out about her Milk & Eggs at her first testing at 6 mons, the Peanuts & Tree Nuts at 3 yrs, and just now the Shellfish & fish at 4.
From the time she started talking we talked about her allergies. A one yr old always wants what their parents/siblings are eating, so I was always like “no, you can’t have that because you are allergic and it will make you very sick. Mommy will get you something you can have though!” To this day she doesn’t get upset when she can’t have something, and often goes up to people and informs them that she can’t have that cause she is allergic to it!
In preschool last yr (and we have an amazing preschool that only provides snacks that we can have), when it was a kids birthday and they would get the cupcakes, I always had her oreos to have. Funny thing is that most of the time the kids would ask for her oreos instead of the cupcakes!
My daughter is diabetic and has Celiac disease. She was diagnosed with the first at age 3 and the second 2 years ago. I always meet the school nurse and her teachers before school begins to explain her needs and to put them at ease. She is now 10 and is very responsible. I always keep frozen, frosted, GF cupcakes in the freezer of the school clinic that she can get any time there is a birthday celebration. The nice thing is that they are completely edible frozen- they are soft! I mark the carb content on the container for insulin dosage. Works very well for us. If she goes to a friend’s house I either discuss menu options that work or simply pack a lunchbox for her. We also use Gopicnic boxed meals for field trips.
Our 22 month old is allergic to milk, egg, nut, soy, strawberry, and cocoa. When we go to outings and to functions where we know food will be served, he wears a shirt that asks people not to feed him. We still follow him around, as any toddler we are so afraid that he will pick someones crumb off the ground and eat it. Due to the severity of his milk allergy we also carry an Epipen Jr. I have posted on his carseat in case of an accident where the one I always have is and what his allergies and other conditions are. The thought of him starting school scares me to death- he will be out of my sight and I will have to rely on others to keep him safe. We have just started the search for an ID bracelet, and came across the N Style ID’s. A fantastic idea for sure!
My youngest daughter, age 5, has a rare orphan disease (Mastocytosis). It’s like being allergic to everything basically. Foods, drinks, heat, humidity, etc. She cannot be without a medic id and cooling equipment.
Thanks so much for sharing your stories. Dealing with food allergies can certainly be scary for parents but knowing that you’re not alone can oftentimes relieve a bit of your anxiety.
I’ll be announcing the winner in just a few days. Thanks again for stopping by and sharing this list with your friends.
I think it’s so crucial to wear a bracelet for food alleges and other things like bee allergy!
Our league is full, but if you’d like to play next season, let me know and I’ll send you an invite! I’ll ask around and see if there are others looking for more players.
Congratulations Caryn! You’re the lucky winner. I’ll send you an email with the coupon code you can use to order your complimentary bracelet online.