Tips for living with food allergies
“So your little one just needs to avoid cow’s milk…”
A simple statement with a huge weight behind it.
The reality of being a parent of a child with a food allergy is exhausting. There’s a hidden burden of living with food allergies or cooking for someone with food allergies.
More than 2 million people in the UK live with food allergies.
Shopping with food allergies
Food shopping can takes hours!
You have to read every single label to identify safe foods. Even familiar brands need to be checked in case of product update or allergy recalls.
Labels often exclude hidden allergens or include misleading ingredient names. If you have an allergy that isn’t one of the 14 allergens that are required to be declared as allergens by law then it can be a game of chance. It takes a lot of time and experimentation to eat safely with food allergies.
By Summer 2021 new legislation will require all food businesses to include full ingredients labelling on pre-packaged food.
Birthday Parties with allergic children
Children’s parties can be really stressful for parent’s of children with allergies. You desperately want your child to not feel left out with the party food but often the child and their friends aren’t old enough to understand the consequences of their food allergy.
What steps can I take?
If you can, speak to the party hosts in advance of the party.
Explain your child’s allergy and ask what food will be served, homemade, snack foods, or party food from the venue.
You can then make a more informed decision on what to prepare. I usually prepare a packed lunch and bring our own party food, including some special treats and “birthday” cake if I know that will be a no-go so my child doesn’t feel left out.
Don’t forget to check the contents of the party bag!
Eating out with allergies
Where possible plan ahead with your restaurant choice so you can review the menu and the allergen information in advance. Visit to restaurants during off-peak hours - the staff are under less pressure to prepare your order.
Speak to the waiter on arrival. Allergy orders are often taken by management or the most senior member of staff.
Ask to view the allergy menu and place a food allergy order separately so it doesn’t get lost in a large order if you are dining with family and friends.
Double-check your food order with the waiting staff before eating.
Enjoy your food!
Allergy awareness
If you live with a food allergy or any other medical condition it is good idea to wear a medical alert bracelet. Young children may not be able to clearly communicate an allergy to those around them and if a allergic reaction does occur medical professionals have important details to hand.
My youngest child has a serious medical condition and wears a soft silicone medical alert wristband from The ID Band Company. They can laser engrave any information of your choice including required treatment and each wristband has lasted us about 2 years with continuous wear!
It also offers me some peace of mind now my son is at school and spending time away from home.
Find a tribe
Sometimes you just need to talk with others that understand. Whether that’s practitioners, or support groups for connection, or just someone to get excited with you about the new dairy-free, nut-free, 14 major allergen-free Double Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream! and Yes! this unicorn of ice creams really does exist and it's yummy!
Shhhhh… find Yorica! here.