Your Fun (and Safe!) Guide to Understanding and Dealing with Food Allergies

Food allergies may make a tasty meal into a stealthy enemy, but if you know how to deal with them, you can beat them like a champ. If you experience itching lips after eating peanuts or a full-blown response to shellfish, knowing what sets you off and how to cope with it doesn’t have to be a pain. Let’s boil it down: no medical language, just real-life advice to keep you safe and still love food.

First, you need to look for the signs

Sometimes the signs of a food allergy aren’t very serious; they can just be a tingling tongue or a strange rash. But what about other times? Wheezing, oedema, or something worse. The usual suspects? Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish are all examples. It’s time to look into it if your body goes crazy after you eat these. Skin pricks, blood tests, and even elimination diets can help you figure out what’s wrong with you.

Managing allergies isn’t about being scared anymore

it’s about making wise choices and using culinary tricks. Do you love baking but can’t eat eggs? Try applesauce or flaxseed goop; it really works. Going out to eat? Be like a detective: ask about the ingredients, check the menus again, and don’t be afraid to say, “Hey, this could kill me.” Cross-contamination is the enemy, so if you need to, keep your cutting boards and toasters separate.

Parents of mini-foodies with allergies have to be both careful and creative

Pack snacks that are suitable for people with allergies, teach kids to read labels early (even if they’re 5), and make sure schools and daycares have a plan for emergencies. What are epinephrine pens? Not up for discussion. You might think of them as your child’s edible glitter that is always there in case of an emergency.

And hey, just because you have allergies doesn’t mean you have to eat boring stuff

Make meals that are safe for those with allergies that will make everyone else jealous. For example, dairy-free mac and cheese or gluten-free pancakes that really rise. There are a lot of bloggers on the internet who have figured it out, so don’t be afraid to take their ideas.

Last but not least, make sure you have an allergy strategy in case of an emergency

If X happens, you know what to do: do Y. Tell your friends, family, and coworkers about it. The best method to live healthily with food allergies is to Getting ready without missing out on the fun of eating. So go ahead, eat well, and have that epinephrine near by.