Gatherings can be stressful, especially when managing food allergies!
If your kiddo has food allergies, then gatherings – parties, tailgating, any food-associated get together (which, especially when you’re from the south, is basically any get-together) – can cause stress. You are worried, appropriately so, that your kiddo will eat something to which Sweet Pea is allergic.
Or maybe you are reading this and planning to listen to the podcast (or maybe you already have!) because you yourself do not have a kiddo with food allergies but are hosting a gathering to which you plan to invite someone with food allergies. If that is that case, then you, like a food allergy mama, are also concerned about an accidental ingestion.
Important info to know about food allergies before your gatherings…
An “accidental ingestion” is when someone with a food allergy accidentally eats something to which s/he is allergic. If you have a food allergy and eat something to which you are allergic, you can have a severe allergic reaction. Read more about recognizing the symptoms of an allergic reaction and get a good overview of food allergy here.
How to prepare for and enjoy parties despite food allergies
I say it often, “Don’t let food allergy steal your joy.” If you are prepared, first with evidence-based information (as opposed to fake news) then with tactical strategies, then you can enjoy being a guest or a host at an upcoming party despite food allergy. Tune into this podcast as my co-host/food allergy supermama Pam and I discuss strategies to successful gatherings despite food allergy.
What’s your food allergy and party question?
Do you have a question about food allergy and parties that you’d like answered on the podcast? Submit it here!
Additional Show Notes
I have talked about a non-profit…
The non-profit is The Teal Schoolhouse, whose primary program is Code Ana. Code Ana equips schools for medical emergencies like anaphylaxis. Our primary program is the Code Ana School Program, which is a comprehensive approach to school-focused medical preparedness. This program guides schools through the process of creating a medical emergency response plan. This is one of the most important components of a school’s food allergy policy!
A medical emergency response plan is important for all kiddos and for adults at any school! Our primary goal is to share the School Program, and Code Ana’s Online Epinephrine Training Program helps support that goal. Through this program, you will educate yourself while you support this important mission! (BTW although Pam and I serve in leadership roles of Code Ana and The Teal Schoolhouse, our time/effort/work is completely voluntary). Does your kiddo’s school have Code Ana?
