How I got by with Childhood Food Allergies

When the doctors told my parents I had food allergies to all nuts, seafood, and eggs, it was a whirlwind. Luckily, from my personal experience, I have compiled 5 potentially life-saving tips.

Buy a Food Allergy Bracelet

Light, easy, and practical, an Allergy bracelet is a custom-made bracelet with your child’s allergy physically written on it. As a kid, I remember wearing this accessory all the time, whether it was at school or at a local park. Whenever I was away from my parents and had to eat a new food, I simply gave my bracelet to an adult, and they would understand what I was allergic to. Also, because I had a long list of allergies, the bracelet also helped me memorize what I should and should not eat.

The typical price point for one is $8–30. You can find some here

2. Speak Up!

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Whether it’s at a birthday party, school, or any other event with food, make it a habit for your child to explain their food allergies to an adult. The skill is invaluable and will be used for the rest of their life. To help them memorize, try practicing a “pretend” conversation where they will have to explain their list of allergies to you; furthermore, this is great practice to get your child to advocate for themselves.

Personally, speaking up at a young age sparked my interest in debate and Model United Nations.

3. Talk with The School

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From cookie decorating to Halloween treats, it is common to receive treats from elementary school to middle school. Hence, it is crucial to discuss your child’s allergies with their teacher to ensure safety in the classroom. Often, teachers will allow you to bring a box of special, food allergy-friendly treats so your child does not feel left out.

Extra Tips:

• If there are no “Nut Free Zone” posters hung in their classrooms, talk to a principal or administrator to suggest they post some.
• Even though most school lunches are allergy-free, make sure to contact the school cafeteria just in case.

4. Read the Labels

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), High-fructose corn syrup, Butylated hydroxytoluene. These are all ingredients in common snacks. For a child, the food labels seem impossible to decode. However, with proper instruction, they can easily separate the good and bad. First, teach them to scan the bold print at the bottom of the ingredients. Usually, it will state: May contains tree nuts, soy, etc. These are the key allergens listed in the packaged food.

Extra Preparation: Also, if your child has a specific allergy, be on the lookout for their “unbolded” allergens. For example, foods like peas, lentils, and chickpeas are common allergens that are not included in the bolded labels (For me, my allergy to mustard seeds causes problems if I don’t read carefully)

For more information about food allergy labels, visit https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/food-allergies

5. Don’t Share Food

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In 2019, a 16-year-old named Ian Bicknell went to the movie theater. He took a sip of his friend’s water, unaware that his friend had eaten some peanuts beforehand. Then Ian went into anaphylaxis, broke out in hives, and had to take medication.

Your child should never share food with their friends. Although it may be rude to decline a friend’s offering, it is a safer choice. Shared food may also be homemade, which makes it hard to know what ingredients are put in it.

Final Thoughts:

Hopefully, my first-hand experiences and advice have helped you or your child. Although these tips may seem overwhelming or over-the-top, they truly make a difference in staying safe, building confidence, and living a normal life with food allergies.

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