Food Allergies in Day-to-Day Life
From About.com
People eat to live. But when food can make you sick, being in places where food is served can be immensely stressful. Some situations -- parenting allergic children, eating food you didn't prepare yourself, and managing other health conditions along with your allergies -- can compound the stress of food allergies.
- Getting Used to Your Diagnosis
- Managing Food Allergies in Everyday Situations
- Traveling with Food Allergies
- Cooking with Food Allergies
- Infants, Toddlers, and Allergies
- Food Allergies in Schools
- Food Allergies and Your Health
- Holidays and Celebrations with Food Allergies
Getting Used to Your Diagnosis
A food allergy diagnosis means lifestyle changes, whether you're an adult diagnosed for the first time with an allergy or intolerance or whether your child has just experienced a life-threatening allergic reaction. That's true even if the food in question is something you don't eat much. Reading labels and staying aware of cross-contamination is still a major issue. Here are some of the basics you'll need to get up to speed.
- First Steps for Adult Food Allergies
- The Basics of Child Food Allergies
- Dealing with Multiple Food Allergies
- Reading Labels for Allergens
Managing Food Allergies in Everyday Situations
Being diagnosed with a food allergy means rethinking any number of formerly mundane events -- everything from gatherings with friends to eating out at restaurants. You can make sure these affairs go smoothly with a little extra planning in the form of emergency kits, discussions with cooks, and knowledge of food safety techniques.
- Eating at Restaurants with Food Allergies
- Before You Eat at a Chain Restaurant
- Chain Restaurant Allergy Guides
- Food Allergies and Sporting Events
- How to Create an Allergy Emergency Kit
- Medical ID Jewelry for Food Allergies
- Avoiding Allergens in Medication
- Frugal Living with Food Allergies
- How to Report a Mislabeled Food
- Food Allergies and Corporate Dinners
Traveling with Food Allergies
Adjustments to your routine can cause problems, and travel can be among the biggest. From institutional food to language barriers, here are some tools for dealing with the issues you're likely to face on the road.
- Traveling with Food Allergies
- How to Prepare for Air Travel with Food Allergies
- Airline Allergy Policies
- Allergy Medication and Airport Security
- Allergy Translation Cards
Cooking with Food Allergies
In all likelihood, a food allergy diagnosis is going to mean more time spent in the kitchen. Cooking for an allergy can be incredibly daunting at first, especially if you're cooking for multiple allergies or pervasive allergies. Here are resources to make it simpler.
- The Basics of Cooking for Food Allergies
- Twenty Great Food Substitutes
- How to Make Substitutions in Recipes
- Grocery Shopping for Food Allergies
- Healthy and Inexpensive Convenience Foods for Restricted Diets
- Safe Grilling with Food Allergies
Infants, Toddlers, and Allergies
Parents of infants and toddlers with allergic siblings and infants who have themselves experienced allergic reactions all have questions about feeding their children appropriately. In the case of children who have already experienced a reaction, parents wonder about the chance of their child outgrowing their food allergies. Likewise, in high-risk families, parents often are concerned about what their infants' chances of developing food allergies are, and if they can do anything to reduce that risk.
- Teaching Kids About Food Allergies
- Feeding Infants in High-Risk Families
- AAP Recommendations: Preventing Food Allergies in Infants
- Hypoallergenic Infant Formulas
Food Allergies in Schools
Nut allergies get the bulk of the press regarding allergies and schools, but by no means are kids with peanut and tree nut allergies the only ones who may need accommodations in school environments. Beginning with preschool, parents of kids with severe allergies -- peanut or otherwise -- will find themselves negotiating with school administrators, teaching their kids about staying safe when parents aren't around, and creating a plan that will balance children's social and emotional needs against their health requirements.
Food Allergies and Your Health
Your food allergies are but one aspect of your overall health. Learn how food allergies can affect other medical conditions and how to achieve your dietary and health goals while maintaining a restricted diet.
- Managing Allergy-Related Stress
- Vegetarianism and Food Allergies
- Paying for Allergy Medication Without Insurance
Holidays and Celebrations with Food Allergies
Few major holidays don't include food as a central aspect. Whether it's sharing a big meal, exchanging candy as a token of affection, or canvassing the neighborhood for treats on Halloween, holidays can be difficult when you're dealing with a food allergy. Here are suggestions for navigating major holidays --- both reducing the role of food in the holiday gathering in creative ways as well as finding creative substitutions for allergenic foods in your celebration.
- Tips for Safe Holidays with Food Allergies
- What to Do When Your Party Guest Has a Food Allergy
- Hosting an Allergy-Safe Super Bowl Party
- Dos and Don'ts for Buying Allergy-Safe Valentine's Day Candy
- Allergy-Safe Easter Menu
- Creating an Allergy-Safe Seder Plate
- Safe Picnics with Food Allergies
- Can You Trick-or-Treat with Food Allergies?
