Food Allergies

Signs of food allergies in kids

Michelle Maffei — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:00:00 -0700

With up to 6 percent of children under age 3 reported to have food allergies, it's important to know how to spot an allergic reaction on the fly. From itchy red bumps to shortness of breath, discover these signs of food allergies in kids along with tips from Loyola pediatric allergist Joyce Rabbat, MD.

In a pickle: How to accommodate food allergies at your dinner party

Sarah Brooks — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:00:00 -0700

When throwing a dinner party, accommodating all of your guests’ needs is crucial. And no, we’re not just talking about the picky eaters of the world . We’re talking about those with food allergies.

Guide to Valentine's Day treats at school

Monica Beyer — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:00:00 -0800

Valentine’s Day is a time of love, valentines and treats. For a child with food allergies, it can be upsetting if treats that he can't have are handed out in the classroom. If you keep a few guidelines in mind, it can help assure that most, if not all, of the kids in your child’s classroom can enjoy the treats you send.

When kids with food allergies are bullied

Monica Beyer — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:00:00 -0800

You may know that food allergies are on the rise, but did you know that it’s also a way for bullies to do what they do best — intimidate and harm, while using the offending food as a weapon. We talk with parents who have experience with food allergy bullying to get more insight on this scary childhood issue.

Do kids with food allergies inconvenience “normal” kids?

Monica Beyer — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:00:00 -0800

Food allergies are a fact of life for many children, and some schools must make lunchtime arrangements to keep the allergic child safe. Is a peanut-free table, room or even school fair to the non-allergic children? We speak to parents and experts on why you should be happy to keep peanuts out of your child’s lunch for the safety of her classmates.

Mom story: My kids have life-threatening food allergies

Julie Weingarden Dubin — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:00:00 -0800

Jackie Ourman, 37, of Irvington, New York, is raising three boys — two with life-threatening food allergies — all while studying the culinary arts and managing her own celiac disease. Read why she won’t let her kids give up on eating delicious foods, despite their dietary restrictions.

Handling food allergies for Thanksgiving

Aimee Fortney — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:00:00 -0800

Here's how to be prepared so that no one with allergies feels left out, and you aren't caught off guard this Thanksgiving.

Tips for going back to school gluten-free

Guest Author — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:00:00 -0700

Knowing how to prepare for going back to school gluten-free can ease the stress for all concerned and make for a more enjoyable school year.

How to manage your kids’ food allergies at school

Christina Holt — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Roughly 1 in 25 school-aged children are affected by food allergies. With an overwhelmingly high number of kids experiencing an allergic reaction while at school, parents have one more thing to worry about while their kids are away for the day. Find out how to be proactive about food allergies during back-to-school time and what alternatives you can buy for worry-free snacking.

Your child's severe food allergy

Monica Beyer — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 11:00:00 -0700

Your child has been diagnosed with an allergy that can be life-threatening, so you were prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector. Here's how to feel safe in a world that suddenly seems full of danger.

In a pickle: What to do about food allergies

Katherine Martinelli — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 09:00:00 -0700

Allergic reactions to foods can vary from a slight tickling in the throat to anaphylactic shock, so they must be taken seriously. And with the numbers of people with food allergies rising, learn how to detect a food allergy and what to do if you or your child has one.

Entertaining kids with food allergies

Maria Mora — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 -0800

These days, more and more kids have food allergies and sensitivities. While you can’t eliminate every potential allergen from your gathering, you can take steps to avoid big mishaps. Learn how to make parties safer for kids with food allergies and less stressful for their parents.

Child with peanut allergy dies at school

Monica Beyer — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:30:00 -0800

A 7-year-old girl from Virginia died after experiencing an allergic reaction to peanuts at school. Questions are now being raised about where the responsibility lies when an allergic child attends school. Read on to learn more and see what other parents think.

Why are food allergies among children on the rise?

Michele Borboa, MS — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:25:00 -0700

With kids going back to school, parents of kids with food allergies have to be ever more vigilant about keeping their children safe from allergens. A recent study in Pediatrics showed that food allergies among children are increasing and becoming more severe. Since experts still don’t have a clear understanding of the increase in childhood food allergies, the National Children's Study was recently launched to find the reasons for this and other childhood health conditions. Here’s what Dena Herman, PhD, MPH, RD, and co-director of the NCS, has to say about pediatric food allergies.

No peanut butter in your school? Understand the bans

Sarah W. Caron — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 07:01:00 -0800

Every week, the school newsletter contains the same stern reminder: No peanuts or tree nuts are allowed in school. Ever. The policy was created not as a parental torture method but rather as a way to ensure that the school environment remains safe for highly allergic kids. What do parents of non-allergic kids need to know about peanut allergies?

Family-friendly food allergy tips

Silvana Nardone — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 09:26:00 -0700

Raising a family has plenty of magical moments, but back-to-school season means saying goodbye to the relaxed routine of summer and kicking life into high gear again. In my house, besides making sure my kids – Isaiah, 13, and Chiara, 4 – are happy and healthy, feeding them wholesome, nourishing meals can be tricky. Add to that food sensitivities and you might think I’ve got a feeding frenzy in the making. Fear not: I'm sharing my foolproof allergy-free food strategies for keeping your family – and mine – sane and safely well-fed this school year.

Easy ways to remove dairy from your diet

Michele Borboa, MS — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:54:00 -0800

Have you recently decided to eliminate dairy from your diet due to food allergies or because you are adopting a vegan lifestyle? Cutting dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese and butter, from your daily meals will certainly require a change in your usual grocery shopping and cooking habits, but the many dairy substitutes and nondairy replacements available at the market will make the switch easy. Here’s how to remove dairy from your diet and still eat deliciously.

How to balance your diet without dairy

Michele Borboa, MS — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:15:00 -0800

Whether you give up dairy as a dietary choice, for ethical reasons or due to a medical condition, you must find nutritionally equivalent substitutes that replace the lost nutrients -- and that can seamlessly stand in for dairy products in everyday cooking. Giving up dairy can seem daunting at first, but there are many delicious and nutritious dairy replacements that make dairy-free living an easy endeavor. Here’s how to balance your diet without dairy.

Do you have a food allergy?

Julie Kraut — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:46:00 -0800

Food allergies affect up to 4 percent of adults and up to 8 percent of children under the age of 3, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. A nasty reaction to something you ate could be a food allergy or intolerance. Knowing the difference is important.

6 Dairy-free drinks to try

Julie Kraut — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:36:00 -0800

Dairy-free doesn't have to be dreary! Be it for food intolerance reasons, general health or moral inclinations, going dairy-free is a trend that is sweeping the foodie world. And while tons of foods are appropriate for a dairy-free diet, sometimes finding a frothy drink can take some extra effort. Here are seven fun beverages that will fulfill any dairy-like cravings -- without using any dairy products.

Allergen-free desserts

Michele Borboa, MS — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:51:00 -0700

Inspired by her oldest son, who was diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies, Kelly Rudnicki did her research and home kitchen experimentation to develop delicious allergen-free foods. Being a mom of four, Rudnicki not only needed recipes that would keep her oldest son safe, but she also needed results that would please the whole family. Her book The Food Allergy Mama's Baking Book is a blessing for parents with children who are suffering from allergies to dairy, eggs and nuts.