Where Managing Allergies Meets the Joys of Motherhood
Where Managing Allergies Meets the Joys of Motherhood
One of the best decisions I made after giving birth in 2021 was to join a support group for first-time moms. In the midst of a global pandemic, when everything felt uncertain and isolating, I was craving connection and longing for a community of women …
The Signs My son was just 4 months old when I noticed signs of a potential food allergy — a rash beginning to form on his face. At first, we didn’t think much of it. After all, he hadn’t started solids yet, so how could …
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to indulge in a little sweetness. If you’re looking for a heathly-ish, easy, and allergen-friendly treat, these Easy Nut-Free Chocolate-Dipped Banana Pops are a must-try! Not only are they delicious, but they’re also safe for anyone with nut allergies. …
One of the best decisions I made after giving birth in 2021 was to join a support group for first-time moms. In the midst of a global pandemic, when everything felt uncertain and isolating, I was craving connection and longing for a community of women …
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to indulge in a little sweetness. If you’re looking for a heathly-ish, easy, and allergen-friendly treat, these Easy Nut-Free Chocolate-Dipped Banana Pops are a must-try! Not only are they delicious, but they’re also safe for anyone with nut allergies. …
Valentine’s Day at school is all about spreading love, joy, and sweet surprises. As a teacher, it has always been one of my favorite holidays to celebrate in the classroom. However, if your child has food allergies, finding safe treats can be a challenge. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or classroom volunteer, it’s important to create a fun, inclusive celebration that ensures every child can enjoy the festivities without worry.
The good news is that there are plenty of allergy-friendly treat ideas that are both safe and fun! I’ve rounded up 14 creative Valentine’s Day treats free from the top 9 food allergens and non-food options, too! So, if you’re looking to make sure no one feels left out this Valentine’s Day, keep reading for ideas that everyone can enjoy—no matter their dietary needs!
Let’s dive in and discover the perfect way to spread love and cheer this February 14th!
Classroom celebrations, like birthday parties and holiday events, often involve sharing food. These events can be a source of stress for children with food allergies, who might feel left out or nervous about what they can safely eat.
It’s important for parents and teachers to communicate ahead of time about any food allergies, so that teachers can either provide safe alternatives, work with parents to ensure that any treats or snacks brought into the classroom are allergy-friendly, or avoid food options altogether.
By planning ahead and being transparent about allergies, celebrations can be inclusive and stress-free for everyone.
More from The Allergy Mom Diaries:
Looking for a fun and festive holiday treat? Check out Nut-Free Holiday Chex Mix! Add pink, red, and heart shaped sprinkles for added flair!
The Signs My son was just 4 months old when I noticed signs of a potential food allergy — a rash beginning to form on his face. At first, we didn’t think much of it. After all, he hadn’t started solids yet, so how could …
As a mother of a child with food allergies, the pressure to create a safe environment can feel overwhelming. Add in the complexity of social situations and the constant worry about allergens, and it’s easy to see how these factors can weigh heavily on our …
An old tradition, turned new! Growing up, my extended family would gather on Christmas Eve for dinner and a present exchange. Now that I’m a mom, I understand why Grandma’s Christmas Eve Chili was often on the menu. It’s easy to make, delicious and filling. Some years it was served over mashed potatoes. Other years with my favorite, a side of corn bread. Grandma’s Christmas Eve Chili recipe is so good that I make it year round, not just on Christmas Eve!
This recipe is filled with sweet heat. Loaded with beef, beans and a hearty sauce that has the just the right amount of spice for all to enjoy.
Chili is a great allergy-friendly dish because there are so many options for customization. Easily made dairy-free or vegetarian.
What’s best is everything cooks in one-pot and if you’re using a pressure cooker or crock pot you can truly, “set it and forget it,” until it’s time to enjoy.
As the mom of a kid with a nut allergy, I am always on the hunt for fun holiday treats that are both safe and delicious. This Nut-Free Holiday Chex Mix is a family favorite of ours. What’s best is you can involve the whole …
I have often wondered if there is a way we could have prevented my son’s peanut allergy. Searching for answers, I came across an article published in The Wall Street Journal titled “How Pediatricians Created the Peanut Allergy Epidemic.” In the article, author Dr. Marty …
It’s the most wonderful time of year, but also the busiest. That’s why I love this easy make-ahead Breakfast Casserole. It’s the perfect dish to put together on Christmas Eve, pop in the refrigerator, and throw it in the oven on Christmas morning.
I love that it’s customizable and can accommodate a wide variety of dietary needs.
Looking for a side dish to add? Try serving this dish with Magic Marshmallow Rolls. The two are the perfect pairing of savory and sweet!
As an allergy mom, I am always on the hunt for safe and festive foods to share with family and friends. This year, I am kicking things off with a nut-free twist on a crowd pleasing favorite: Donna Kelce’s Marshmallow Pastry Puff Dinner Rolls. Mama …
I have often wondered if there is a way we could have prevented my son’s peanut allergy. Searching for answers, I came across an article published in The Wall Street Journal titled “How Pediatricians Created the Peanut Allergy Epidemic.” In the article, author Dr. Marty Makary claims that the U.S. peanut allergy epidemic was caused by well-intentioned pediatricians who, in the early 2000’s issued a recommendation for children to avoid peanuts until 3 years of age. Dr. Makary makes the correlation between guidance to avoid peanuts and the year over year increase in severe peanut allergies.
I can appreciate Dr. Makary’s perspective and his attempt to shed light on what happens when the medical field “gets it wrong.” However, this article does not acknowledge our current reality. For almost a decade parents have been instructed and encouraged to introduce top allergens as early as 4 months of age, yet the prevalence of peanut and other food allergies are still on the rise. This fact alone suggests there are reasons beyond early introduction of allergens that are contributing to the rise in severe food allergies.
Dr. Makary’s claim that the peanut allergy epidemic is a “largely avoidable consequence of our policy of peanut abstinence,” is misleading. In 2000, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a recommendation for children ages 0 to 3 years, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers to avoid all peanuts. However, by 2008 this guidance was reversed and in 2015 the AAP endorsed an early exposure recommendation for high risk infants as a strategy for prevention.
To further illustrate how pediatricians got it wrong, Dr. Makary cites the The Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) Study. In the study published in 2015 by the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Gideon Lack compared a group of infants exposed to peanut butter at 4-11 months to another group that had no exposure. The LEAP Study found that early exposure resulted in an 81% reduction in peanut allergies by the time the child reached age 5 compared with children who avoided peanuts. The LEAP Study went on to become a leading impetus for the AAP’s public health policy change, which resulted in the 2015 revision of its initial recommendation to avoid peanuts.
I first learned of The LEAP Study in 2021 when we visited my son’s pediatrician for his 3 month well baby visit. It was at that visit that our pediatrician stressed the importance of early introduction of the most common allergens. We were told this was the best way to avoid food allergies. At 5 months old we started to introduce solids and within the same month our son was diagnosed with an IgE-mediated peanut allergy as well as other severe food allergies through skin and blood tests. We had followed our pediatrician’s guidance and yet our son, like many others, was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy.
Regardless of who is at fault for the American Peanut Epidemic, the reality is:
Instead of casting blame on antiquated guidance set forth by well-meaning pediatricians, let’s focus our attention and energy on the path forward. The science is clear– early introduction of allergens can reduce the risk of developing food allergies. However, there is a need for more research related to food allergy causes and prevention beyond early introduction of allergens. We followed the guidance, just like other parents have done for the past decade, and yet here we are navigating life with severe food allergies. Exploring root causes of food allergies will better inform a more robust approach to allergy prevention.
For information and resources about how to safely introduce peanuts to your infant please visit: https://foodallergyprevention.org/feeding-tips/