Taking Care of Business
Monday July 13, 2009
Wise words in this column from the Boulder Daily Camera:
I often hear from people who are upset that others have not catered to their allergenic needs. It really is up to all of us to take care of ourselves. By taking a step with positive behavior (and delicious food) you just might educate some people how easy it is to make delicious, non-allergenic foods.My go-to strategy for dealing with workplaces that were big on celebrating with food was to keep my own "secret stash" in the kitchen or at my workstation -- allergy-safe cookies or treats I could bring out when the weekly birthday/holiday/TGIF cake came out. It helped me feel normal and eliminated the "I feel so weird that you can't eat anything" I'd get before I started doing that. Beyond that, I've made it a practice for years to eat at least a little bit before I go into any food situation that might be the least bit dicey -- meetings, parties, you name it.
Do you disclose your allergies at work? Have you ever had a negative (or a surprisingly positive) reaction from a supervisor or coworker?
Comments
I have newly diagnosed p-nut/nut allergies and have found it wise not to eat any treats brought in by staff. They have seen me wheeled out of the building on a stretcher after eating my normal breakfast of a P.B. sandwich and will still offer me treats that contain nuts, (but only a few). I am learning to accept that I must not partake in any potluck/ food share gatherings that occur. My desk drawer is stocked with homemade treats that keep me satisfied whenever I crave something sweet. I can’t stress enough that one should never, ever, count on someone else to keep themselves safe!