Food Allergy Anxiety

Stress Eating

Anxiety:

A state of uneasiness and apprehension, as about future uncertainties...A state of apprehension, uncertainty, and fear resulting from the anticipation of a realistic or fantasized threatening event or situation, often impairing physical and psychological functioning. (The Free Dictionary)

As the new year settles in, some of my food allergy anxiety is surfacing. I feel like another year has come and gone and we're still not making the kind of progress I'd like to see. When I think back to over 10 years ago, I was so hopeful when the allergist talked about outgrowing many, if not all, food allergies. I felt so optimistic about a cure right around the corner. I anticipated the necessary life-changes to be temporary.  

Each new year reminds me that time is marching on. Recently, things have even slid backwards a bit as I've now stopped putting a baked egg in cake recipes because it was causing allergic symptoms. It's hard to know what is the right thing to do. We are, however, anticipating this summer and the start of peanut immunotherapy. 

Of course there's some anxiety to accompany that as well...sigh!

There have been studies over the years about food allergies and feelings of anxiety. Both the food allergic and their loved ones report feeling worried, nervous and fearful. Children with food allergies are often reluctant to try new foods and report feelings of loneliness due in part to social isolation. Parents and caregivers deal with their own anxieties- is he getting enough nutrients?, is she growing properly?, will he have friends who really understand?, will she get bullied?, will he be able to date and go off to college?

It's perfectly normal to experience anxiety about these things. We need to look for ways to manage the worry- beyond the chocolate bowl, that is! It's time to take a deep breath and take stock.  For our family, entering the teen years with food allergies is going to bring a whole host of new issues. I'm looking ahead to give my soon-to-be teenager the tools needed for this next part of the journey. Here's my toolkit:

• 504 Plan- continue to update and ensure that accommodations are being made at school.
• Knowledge- share what I've learned (and continue to learn) with my food allergic child and others to make sure everyone understands the seriousness and the stakes.
• Resources- There are great role models out there like Morgan from Allergic Child and Sloane from Please Don't Pass the Nuts. FARE offers a teen summit and website to help this age group navigate school, friendships and the real world. 
•  Patience- for family members and friends who "still don't get it". It is hard to truly understand something unless you live with it each day (yup, that's what I'll keep repeating to myself over and over).
• Fearlessness with a twist- we need to travel, eat out and try new foods, using a reasonable amount of caution and common sense. 
• Balance- family, friends, social activities, food and non-food events can all co-exist in a steady manner. Maintain a steady course.

Do we need anything else in the toolkit?  Even with the right supplies, there will still be times of stress. Just in case, I'd better throw in some of that chocolate- dairy, peanut and tree nut free, of course!

Food Allergy Awareness

Check out these great videos on PIX11. They are talking about all things food allergy this week on their morning show. Watch to see everything from how restaurants are becoming more allergy aware to a demonstration of how to handle an allergic reaction. You'll see Sloane Miller talk about her new food allergy book and you'll hear 7 year old Ronaldo talk about his food allergies. They also provide an update on current research.

What a great way to introduce food allergies and to raise awareness about them!

Food Allergy Book Giveaway

Sloane Miller, aka Allergic Girl, has been the stand-out voice for adults with food allergies. Her new book, Allergic Girl: Adventures in Living Well with Food Allergies, is coming out March 1. To celebrate, she is offering one lucky Food Allergy Assistant reader a free copy.

Here's what you need to do to be eligible to win:
In the comments below, share your positive food allergy love story. It can be:

Any loving act you did for a food allergic family member or yourself,
Your best date with food allergies,
Your food allergic dream date,
A date you planned for a loved one,
Or what your dreams are for your food allergic child when they date.

Get the Valentine's Day theme? Just sharing the love.

I'll get this party started with my food allergy love story...

People have said, "I don't know how you do what you do". They are referring to the dozens of rolls, breads, cookies and cakes I make from scratch. They are talking about all the planning that goes into every trip we take so we can make sure there will be safe food away from home. They mean how do you manage all of the doctor appointments, meeting with school officials, and writing to legislators about food allergy issues?


You know what I say? "I do all of this because this is my child and this is what a loving parent does for their child. I hope I am being a good role model to my kids as I guide them along the path to be responsible, caring adults. I also hope I am sharing my knowledge with others so we have appropriate guidelines in place in our schools, restaurants, food manufacturing plants and our laws to protect everyone- food allergic or not. I will continue to do all of this until the phrase "food allergy" is no longer needed.

Check out the book trailer and comment below sometime this week for a chance to win. Winner will be announced next Monday, Feb. 21, 2011

Good luck!