Family, Food Allergies
So we’ve all heard the horror stories: grandparents sneaking your tree-nut allergic child a walnut brownie saying, “A little can’t hurt.”
I’m looking for some stories of families who support your dietary restrictions.
Whether parents, sibs, grands, in-laws, please share!
With Thanksgiving soon approaching, we could all use some great supportive family stories.
I’m looking for some stories of families who support your dietary restrictions.
Whether parents, sibs, grands, in-laws, please share!
With Thanksgiving soon approaching, we could all use some great supportive family stories.
Comments
My 21-year-old brother started buying Tinkyada pasta and keeps Pamela's mix (note: contains nuts and dairy) to keep in his freezer. He uses these items, and always has something on hand to feed me. In fact, since I've been teaching him how to cook, I would say that 90%+ of his dinners are naturally gf: protein + brown rice + vegetable/salad. He's lost 30 lbs in the process too, and looks fantastic! He's making my parents, husband, and me Shabbat dinner tonight; I know it'll be tasty!
Needless to say, my mom and dad's home is one place where I don't worry AT ALL about my daughter. And should she somehow have a reaction while with them, they know exactly what to do (based on their own experience). Sure they have nutty stuff at there house, but they 'get it' and take the proper precautions - so I don't worry. It's a relief.
gab: love this. may i go your parents house? :-)
1. At work, my coworkers keep a candy bowl full of candy that is safe for me to snack on. They're also very good about not handling unsafe food before using communal computers, pens, etc.
2. A friend of mine is getting married next month. Because two of us have nut allergies, she's planning the menu around us because she wants all of us to have a good time.
3. I recently went to a conference. I called the catering group ahead of time. The head of catering triple-checked all of the ingredients, gave me a list of what was safe, and identified me at the conference to reassure me that that list was still accurate.
Elizabeth Goldenberg, President
Onespot Allergy
http://www.onespotallergy.com
whats really nice now is that they ask our son , rather than me, as he is nearly 14 and old enough to explain.
its gives him more of a chance to gain confidance when communicating his allergies.
and i learn to step back, because thats my problem at the moment, i have to recognise that he can do more, and its safer in the long run that he does!
When we get together with extended family for meals they also read or provide labels. While the meals aren't always completely safe they don't ever use peanuts and try to let us know the menu in advance so we can fill in the gaps by bringing her own food.
My sister also went nut-free and asks me about foods and provides the safe ones each time we visit. She is 100% for her niece.
Before every visit, my MIL asks me about ingredients and foods. She's a great cook and told me at our last visit that she appreciated less eating out and eating and preparing "good simple food" when we visit.
In some cases, we've had a few relatives not take it as seriously but close family members are on board. Oh, and our friends are HUGELY supportive. Makes life a lot easier.
The great thing about family is that they are supposed to love you and help you when you need them to. I'm very lucky to have people around me who are willing to do that.
My mother desperately wants to cook for my son. She really tried to buy things that I tell her are safe and she always keeps them in the house. She also goes out of her way to go to the special grocery to get all of his gluten free cookies and pretzels so that she can give him special treats at her house (I send food, but she wants things to come from Grandma).
We are still working on label reading but she always tries to be as careful as possible.
This year, due to our Halloween incident, I've asked that NO outside food be brought into my house. My mother has agreed and sadly her famous pierogis will not be part of our dinner this year, but she didn't take offense and for that I am grateful.
My mom, bless her heart, makes a safe meal for my children every single Sunday, and makes extra so that they can have enough for lunch 1 or 2 days through the week. I can not tell you what it means to not have to cook just 1 day a week, and still know that my children are being feed safe foods!
We live in the country about a 2 hour drive away from any organic/food allergy friendly grocery stores. I can't count how many times Mom has shown up at my house with grocery bags full of specialty products for the kids. She researches right along with me, and is always trying to find new fun treats to make for them.
I know she's pretty bummed out about all of this, especially because she is starting to feel like she can't eat anything anymore.
Where can we go to find ideas for foods that she can eat?
Thanks for your help, and I'll be sending her your blog so she can follow on blogspot if she wants.
I also have a dear friend who, when her son has a birthday party, makes at least some of the party food safe for my son, even though I've volunteered to bring our own (not a big deal to us).
But my favorite stories to tell are those from school. Of classmates who "police" who gets to sit near my son based on their lunch, to the ones who want to bring in safe snacks that he can eat too, and this year, his new best friend (he's at a new school) who changed from eating PBJs so he could sit next to him at lunch.
It really brings tears to my eyes when his friends "get it" and do whatever they can to keep him company--AND keep him safe.
My husband is allergic to nuts and my sister has celiac disease (diagnosed last year) so maybe I'm a little more sensitive to it now than I was say 10 years ago, but as a kid I always had friends with allergies so it was just a part of life.
Maybe I'm of the "generation" that is used to allergies and that's why I don't get it? Because seriously, I don't understand how people would sneak a walnut filled brownie to a kid because "a little doesn't hurt".
My 76 year old Mom is the best. When we visit from out of town she ALWAYS has safe foods on hand and makes sure to serve awesome allergen free dinners. She has even found some foods that were allergen free that I had not thought of. She is the best.
My sons preschool teacher has food allergies. I love that he is in her class. She goes out of her way to make sure he can be included in the food activities in school. During the school's feast day for Thanksgiving they made sure to have a plate for my son. they had his allergy list in the kitchen and referred to it. I was touched.