Comments on: Beware of Carry-Out with food allergies…

By: bronya

bronya — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:56:42 +0000

oh how I wish I enjoyed being a food allergy mama … your last comment ‘i am just so proud to be a food allergy mama’ puts me to shame – oh how I often curse the fact that we can’t have cheesy meals, or anything creamy, that I can’t have a simple quiche, or that I can’t just get slack and whip any old thing together … but I am looking forward to trying your baking recipes and heads up to a better attitude I promise … some days tho *sigh* … thankyou for your blog and your posts – I really appreciate them …

By: kellyrudnicki

kellyrudnicki — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:20:44 +0000

Thanks for your comment Sofia. My 7 year old son went through a similar phase as he expanded his horizons…school, eating in a lunchroom, playdates, sports etc. I think our food allergic children are err on the side of caution anyway, and it’s great they are so aware. With John, I just tried to be as upbeat and positive as possible, tried to not sound too alarmist and give space when needed. I tried to educate him about reading labels, how to give himself a shot if needed, and to realize that help is always near. It helped to ease his fears and over time, he became more confident. Good luck and I hope this helps!!

By: Sofia

Sofia — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:19:07 +0000

My 6yr old daughter has had food allergies since she was a baby. Now all of the sudden she is afraid to eat anything that isn’t from our home… it is a good thing that she is so aware but she will not even eat things she has always eaten… It is very stressful and very trying.. Has anyone experienced this problem.. I don’t know what to do….

By: Susie

Susie — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:11:54 +0000

Yes, we all feel frustrated for our allergic children. We all feel anger and exasperation at those who do not take it seriously, who do not live with the lifestyle changes and fears day to day, and with those who are careless about food allergy requests. However, I think it is VERY important to teach our kids that it’s just a part of life! Diabetic children and families have very strict diets and huge lifestyle changes. It’s not much different! Parents of newly-diagnosed food-allergic children: PLEASE resist the temptation to pity your children and feel the need to “make up for it”. Sacrifice is not a bad thing! Rather, adopt a healthy coping attitude, and your child will learn to take it all in stride instead of adopting the poor me syndrome. As we age, many of us have to make lifestyle and dietary changes. It’s a bummer when a young child has to face such grave concerns, but it does NOT detract from enjoying life unless we TEACH that to our children. Kids are teased throughout childhood for wearing glasses, clothing styles, physical attributes, and yes, food allergies. It’s no different than any other short or long term ailment kids suffer throughout childhood. However, we are fortunate for the advocacy and research that has blossomed in recent years. We are fortunate for technology to find and share ideas, concerns, information, and recipes so readily. We should count each frustrating situation with the uneducated or unconcerned as a welcome opportunity to teach awareness and consideration. You can use the change food allergies bring to your family as fuel to spread feelings of fear and victimization, or as fodder to promote compassion, education, healthy coping skills, and a positive outlook on life in an increasingly complicated world. Food allergies has helped my food- allergic daughter AND my non-allergic son to face and conquer frustration, to be more thoughtful, responsible, mature, and understanding of others’ problems!

By: Rene

Rene — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:51:08 +0000

Hello Michelle,
My son is 15 months old as well and I found out last month that he has peanut and egg allergies. He had severe eczema from early infancy- it’s nearly gone now that we have cut out all of the allergens. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I understand how you feel- I too am grappling with all of the concerns and life-style changes that accompany having a child with food allergies. I just found this site tonight and I love it! I wish you and everyone else out there success with cooking amazing food for our sweet children. Rene

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:13:46 +0000

You know, I am sitting here crying. My 15 mo old has shown signs of allergies for several months. I’ve taken him off dairy, eggs, and peanuts but only got blood work done last week to confirm our suspicions since we’re still dealing with a lot of abdominal pain, hives, lost sleep, and screaming. So far his gluten, eggs, and peanut tests came back positive and we’re waiting on the results of the rest. I’m having a hard time grappling w/ the complete lifestyle makeover for us right now (even though I do 95% of our cooking at home). Harder still are the many times I have to say, “No, Liam, you can’t have that” and realizing that this will be his way of life. I found your blog in the Family Fun magazine and feel so grateful (!) to see excellent recipes. One of the difficult things in something that is so new like this is finding the right substitutes. You have made that part of my life so much easier! Thank you so much.

By: kellyrudnicki

kellyrudnicki — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:55:55 +0000

Jessica, that totally breaks my heart too. I have been in that postition many, many times, as well as so many of you. It is the one of the hardest parts, excluding your child from seemingly normal activities. Thanks so much for writing and sharing your story!

By: kellyrudnicki

kellyrudnicki — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:52:12 +0000

Stacey, thanks so much for sharing your story. It is the perfect example that chain restaurants aren’t always better at providing consistent service. It is deeply troubling that the manager defended his position, and corporate didn’t bother responding. It is my hope that all these restaurants will be forced to comply with strict standards when it comes to food safety and ingredient labeling. Education…and I am so happy to read Ming Tsai has introduced Ming’s Law in Massachusetts….as a chef and a patron he understands what so many of us face every day in trying, and I emphasize the word trying here, everyday. Locally owned restaurants are usually so much more thoughtful when it comes to ingredient checking, etc. because their repuation means everything, and the last thing they would want is a tragedy on their hands. I am so thankful to moms like yourself that took the time and effort to contact the corporate offices to complain. Over time, one would think they would get it. Keep me posted if you hear anything back from them!

By: kellyrudnicki

kellyrudnicki — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:45:32 +0000

Thanks Susan for your comment. I really miss casual eating out and ordering in too. And, like you, we’d love to travel internationally and hope to someday. Baby steps I suppose!

By: susan

susan — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:53:52 +0000

I can completely relate to your experience. I have a son who is almost two and is anaphylactic to dairy, eggs, and peanuts and moderately allergic
(hives) to wheat, soy, and citrus. I miss eating out. My kids don’t seem to care. But my husband and I do miss the ease of ordering pizza for a party and grabbing anything anywhere. We also would really like to travel as a family more but it’s hard for me to imagine traveling in a foreign country with his food allergies. We traveled internationally quite a bit before we had children.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:07:55 +0000

My daughter is allergic to eggs and tree nuts (and also has type I diabetes). Whenever we eat out we normally get pizza and she is sick of it so we tried to go to a Subway for a sandwich. I asked for an ingredient list. The guy behind the counter pointed to a stand and said if there aren’t any there then we are out. I patiently explained that I needed to know which ingredients had eggs or tree nuts and that I would be willing to guess on the carbohydrate count in her sandwich. I asked if he knew which breads had egg in them and he replied “I think they all do”. We left and went to a locally owned sandwich shop where they painstakingly went thru ingredient lists with me (and daughter was very happy with the sandwich). I knew he was lying and I went on the website to discover that none of the breads would have caused a risk to her. I called the Subway to talk to the manager only to find out the guy behind the counter was the interim manager. He totally defended his position to not even bother to try to find out what the ingredients were. I do appreciate he erred on the safe side but a major food chain should be able to deal with food allergic customers. I emailed the corporate office and got no response at all. It was disappointing. I have food allergies of my own and I’ve become accustomed to food service people not “getting it” but we should be able to depend on major food chains to know what is in their food. Other than McDonald’s (not that I’m promoting happy meals) I find that small locally owned food businesses are much more sensitive to the issue of food allergies. I’m sure all Subway’s are different but I’m definitely boycotting them for now.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:44:31 +0000

I feel you! My 4 year old son is also very cooperative and understanding and if I tell him he can’t have something he just shrugs it off and doesn’t care too much. But it absolutely breaks me heart like last week at a birthday party the person hosting the party said “Is everyone ready for some cake?” and all the kids were shouting YES and jumping up and down (as was my son). Then he turned to me to ask “Mommy can I have that cake?” and I had to tell him no. I was more upset than him luckily they had some chips he could have. I guess we forget that they don’t know any different and it’s just a way of life for them.

By: kellyrudnicki

kellyrudnicki — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:05:56 +0000

Thanks so much Cyndi!! That is so nice of you to say and I can’t wait to hear how your son enjoy’s the recipes!!

By: kellyrudnicki

kellyrudnicki — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:59:47 +0000

Thanks so much for writing Angela. I totally agree, more work needs to be done in spreading food allergy awareness. It reallly is the key. I know preschool is always a challenge because of snack time, etc. but over time it will get easier I promise. Stick to your guns with keeping your child’s preschool environment safe…and the school will hopefully abide.

By: Cyndi

Cyndi — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:28:56 +0000

I just read about you in Family Fun magazine! Your website is like the answer to my prayers! My son was diagnosed with milk, egg, and peanut allergies after he had a skin reaction to the cake at his first birthday party. I totally relate to everthing that all the parents are saying one here. I can’t wait to try these recipes and buy your book! Thank you for creating the website and writing the book! This will make my life so much easier and my son’s more pleasant!

By: Angela

Angela — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:25:30 +0000

I can so relate! People really still do not understand about food allergies! I get the same “huh, duh” attitude when I ask the questions too. I have even had that type of response from management! It is terribly frightening….and now I am having to start dealing with it at preschool. I hope and pray the awareness spreads soon!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:03:37 +0000

I just found your blog thanks to Family Fun magazine and have already pre-ordered your book! My little guy was diagnosed with milk, egg, peanut and mustard allergy at 10 months of age and, WOW, has our life changed since that day. I worry so much about what the future holds for him. It is encouraging to hear what a good attitude your son seems to have about his food allergies!

By: kellyrudnicki

kellyrudnicki — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:32:25 +0000

I know Heather. I can totally relate to that!!

By: Heather Coover

Heather Coover — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:20:30 +0000

I totally agree with the tolerance thing. My daughter is 18 months and is allergic to dairy, eggs, and soy. When her older sisters are eating something she can’t have she is usually very content to have something she can have. Sometimes even when I make something that looks and tastes simliar to something she can’t have, she won’t even try it. Go figure!

By: kellyrudnicki

kellyrudnicki — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:34:36 +0000

Thanks Julie for your comment! I agree with you, there is a certain amount of stress food allergic families live with every day, some days are better than others. But I am truly hopeful we will find a cure someday…