Food Allergies
Dear Friend,
Try my list of suggestions for making food allergies a manageable part of your life. Many of the items include links to information provided by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). If you are not already a member, visit their website and you will see that FAAN is a critical resource.
Remember, any effort to keep you or your child safe, healthy and happy is worth it!
Food Allergy Suggestions
(Click on titles to view details.)If your doctor thinks there is a risk of severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, learn all you can and teach family, friends and caregivers to understand symptoms and treatment. The following links to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) might provide important information.
Definitions and frequently asked questions:
Common Food Allergens
Food Allergy FAQ
Anaphylaxis FAQ
Printable handouts (PDF Format):
What You Should Know about Living with Food Allergy
Do you have a Food Allergy?
If there is a risk of severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, ask your doctor to help you decide what to include in a medication kit, and help you learn to use it. Keep your medication kit with you or your child at all times. Include a clear, simple “Food Allergy Action Plan” with important phone numbers. Teach anyone who might need to use it.
Sample Food Allergy Action Plan from FAAN
Epi Auto Injector Demonstrations:
How To Use EpiPen® (Epinephrine) Auto-Injector
How To Use Twinject
Know your problem foods and any tricky alternate food names, similar allergens or routine contaminants.
Did you know that whey is made from milk? And, that spelt is so closely related to wheat it usually causes the same health problems? Or, did you know that some spices and grains are milled in situations where nut contamination is likely? Or that most oats produced in the U.S. are wheat-contaminated due to shared fields and machinery?
FAAN info on food labels and alternate food names.
Shop wisely. Understand FALCPA, the law concerning food labeling requirements for the eight major food allergens. Beware of confusing labels that have “may contain” or similar statements. Learn more about label language and manufacturing practices. Don’t take chances; it’s not worth the risk.
More on FALCPA from FAAN.
More on “may contain” language from FAAN.
Understand what “allergen free” really means. It’s a catch-all phrase that can be confusing. There is no official definition of this term. Most people use it to say that foods are made without certain ingredients. The tricky part is making sure the product you are considering is truly without your concerning allergens. That’s why on our labels we say “made without milk, eggs, wheat, gluten, peanuts and tree nuts.”
Otherwise, we have noticed that “allergen free” usually refers to the eight major food allergens: milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. Ninety percent of people with food allergies are allergic to at least one of these. However, it’s important to know that some people are allergic to other foods; for example: sesame, corn, strawberries.
Another important thing is to know how a company ensures that their product is made without certain ingredients. At Dr. Lucy’s we have incorporated three key features into our Quality Program. First, we buy our raw materials from carefully selected producers. Thus we are starting with ingredients that are presumed to be without certain allergens. Then, we use the best available testing to make sure there are no detectable allergens from our list. Lastly, we don’t allow wheat, gluten, milk, eggs, peanuts or tree nuts into our bakery. So, we remove the chance of cross-contact during production. These three safeguards allow us to provide the highest quality foods made without certain ingredients that you can buy.
To simplify, consider eliminating some foods from your home. Again, this helps to reduce mistakes and confusion for many people. It also saves on storage space. And, instead of singling out the person with allergies, you will find more and more food items that the whole family enjoys together safely. You might find that the new foods are healthier for the whole family! Weigh the pros and cons for yourself.
Provide tasty alternate foods at social and school or religious events. Chose items that everyone will enjoy together.
Your family and friends will want to serve foods that everyone can eat. Be prepared to let them know which foods are okay and where to get them. Grandma might start a cookie fund for you!
Buy a comprehensive book on food allergies. This will save time, money and effort in the long run. Read it and share with others.
Some examples are:
Food Allergies for Dummies
Understanding and Managing Your Child's Food Allergies
Consider joining FAAN (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network). This education and advocacy group will provide ongoing information and opportunities. Meanwhile, they are working on policies and programs to enhance food allergy health and safety.
Consider joining a local support organization. Meet friends with food allergies. Trade recipes and ideas. We’ll send cookies for one of your meetings.
If you dine out, be sure to tell the server about all of the ingredients you must avoid. You might ask for special food preparation pans and utensils to avoid surfaces that might contain allergens (ex. grills, ice cream scoops, spoons, deli slicers, etc.). Avoid restaurants that specialize in foods that contain concerning allergens (ex. seafood, Asian/nuts). Avoid fried foods that share cooking oils with problem foods (ex. breading, fish). Stay away from salad bars since foods routinely drop from serving spoons into other containers.
This is not a time to be timid; if you feel unsure about the situation talk with the restaurant manager. Try using a “Chef Card” to communicate your important message.
You may download DOC and PDF versions of Dr. Lucy's Chef Cards.
(Right-click link and select "Save Target As..." to save it to your computer or click to open.)
Chef Card [ DOC | PDF ]
Keep a list of questions for your allergist. This will help you accomplish more at each visit.
We can help you say thanks for good care and information. We'll send a free cookie sampler from you to your doctor, if you are his or her first patient to request one!
