Category Archives: Allergies and Attitude

When they just don’t seem to get it! – Dealing with Ignorance About Food Allergies

November 11, 2016 Leave a comment

Having spent my entire life with life-threatening food allergies, I have had a wide variety of experiences and encounters with people regarding my allergies. Sometimes you get people who are very understanding and knowledgeable about the topic – often they have a family member or a friend who also has allergies. However, time and time again you will come across individuals who are simply ignorant to what a food allergy is, which can lead to unpleasant encounters and difficult social situations.

Portrait of a Confused Business Man Shrugging his Shoulders

Here are my top 5 tips to dealing with those who just don’t get it when it comes to food allergies!

Try to see it from their point of view

It is very easy to get frustrated with people who don’t seem to understand your food allergies. In a time where food allergies are becoming increasingly prevalent it can be confusing to meet someone who doesn’t get it when you say you have life-threatening food allergies. Whenever this happens to me, I try to understand what their point of view is. Maybe they have never met someone with an allergy. They could be from another country where food allergies are very uncommon. It can help your understanding and feelings towards the situation if you can see their perspective.

Don’t get upset about it

When it comes to my allergies, I can get quite defensive when people make ignorant comments. Having dealt with this many times growing up and going through school, sometimes I personally find that getting upset over it just isn’t worth ruining my day.

Use it as a teaching opportunity

I always try to turn a negative situation into a positive one. When somebody makes an ignorant comment about my allergies, I try to educate them about what my allergies are and how serious they can be. Often times people simply are uninformed about the situation and if you take the time to explain it to them this can really help to change their perspective and attitude about allergies.

Beautiful mixed race woman expressing freedom on a summer evening outdoors with her arms outstretched

Advocate for yourself

Often times the easiest way out of dealing with someone who is ignorant about food allergies is to just back away and not say anything. If you shy away from the situation it can only make things worse for you in the future and for others with allergies who may encounter the individual. Don’t be afraid to stick up for yourself and let people know that your allergies are something to be taken seriously.

Be open to tell your stories

When people are uninformed about food allergies it is usually because they have never known somebody with them or don’t really get what they are. If you are willing to share stories about how you live with allergies, this can often be a really eye opening experience for others and help them gain some understanding. Usually when you start to tell people about your allergies they will have lots of questions like “Have you ever had an allergic reaction? Have you used your auto injector before? What are you allergic to?” By sharing your experiences with them you can share so much information and help them become less ignorant.

– Lindsay S.

Allergies and Attitude, Communication, Eating and Drinking with Allergies, Holidays and Allergies

Halloween as an Adult with Food Allergies

October 29, 2016 Leave a comment

Jack O' Lantern on leaves in the woods

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love to dress up, eat candy, and go out. I feel like it’s the one time of the year where you can let you inner child out and just simply “be” whatever you want. I feel like with allergies, though, Halloween can bring a whole storm of worries and concerns. When I was growing up and I went trick-or-treating, it would take forever to look through every single piece of candy in my bag and audit whether or not the candy was safe for me to eat. At the end of the night, I would have two piles; one pile of candy I could eat, and one pile of candy I couldn’t eat and would give to my neighbour. As an adult though, Halloween is so different. It’s one of the biggest nights of the year to go out. Don’t think that just because you’re not trick-or-treating anymore that you can let your guard down. Follow these tips to ensure a healthy happy Halloween this year:

Always carry your EpiPen® on you – just in case anything happens, you want to be prepared.
Only consume beverages and food where you know the ingredients – If you don’t know what’s in the green juice your friends are passing around, don’t drink it. Last Halloween, I went to a bar and ordered a vodka tonic. When I received the drink, it was blue. I told the bartender that he had given me the wrong order, but then he informed me that he had “spiced” up my drink by adding a blue liquor and gin to the vodka to make it more special. I’m allergic to gin. If I had decided to not ask questions and to just drink the beverage that was given to me, I would’ve put myself in a very scary situation.
Don’t drink too much! I always make sure that I never drink myself to the point of intoxication. When I see my friends after nights that we’ve gone out and tell me that they literally don’t remember the night, it scares me. What if that happened to me and I just happened to ingest an allergen not thinking about the consequences? It’s just not a situation you want to put yourself in.

Halloween is my favorite time of the year, and you can stay safe and still have fun with allergies. Now, I’m off to go figure out my Halloween costume this year and make my plans!

Happy Halloween,

– Giulia C.

Allergies and Anxiety, Allergies and Attitude, Eating and Drinking with Allergies

Anxiety and Your Allergies

October 14, 2016 2 Comments

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, you’re sitting in a restaurant or at a friend’s, or even on a plane. You’re minding your own business, when you see your allergen walk by in the hands of someone you’ve already made aware of your food allergy. You also made sure that any food around you was be allergen-free. But, there it is, walking around within smelling distance or maybe, scarily enough, within touching distance. You start to panic; you watch the food as it travels around the room, it looms closer and closer. You wonder, is that my allergen? Is it coming over here? Am I just imagining it? Do I say something? A million thoughts swirl around your head, you wonder if you should say something or just leave, but you’re stuck, the words form in your mind but can’t seem to make the journey to your mouth. And then it starts, the panic sets in as the food is placed near you, or you watch the same person handle your food with the unwashed hands that touched your allergen. You shrink into your chair, and try to fold into yourself, you can’t make a noise, your breath becomes short, and you’re frozen in that moment.

Portrait of young man suffering for depression

I’ve been in this situation one too many times, and sometimes the feeling of panic still creeps up on me unsuspectingly. You so badly want to speak up for yourself but you feel deflated and beat since they didn’t listen the first time. It’s enough to make you want to never venture out for food again. It can be hard to put into words the panicky feeling you get when your allergen pops up un-expectantly or in a situation you can’t remove yourself from, and even more so to voice that feeling and ask for help. It seems like anxiety and food allergies can sometimes go hand-in-hand, but that doesn’t mean we have to go it alone. It took me a long time to find my voice, and express my concern in risky situations, and yes sometimes its uncomfortable or even awkward but I’ve discovered it’s a fleeting feeling compared to the anxiety and dread of not saying anything or feeling trapped. It takes time and practice but expressing your concerns out loud and making an effort to rectify the situation will leave you with a little more confidence each and every time.

Trust the people around you and the people you care about, practice the situation with them, or have a statement prepared.
Now stop me if you’ve heard this one before, you’re in the same situation, you see your allergen coming close to you. Instead of backing down, you find your voice, confidently express your concerns and instead of dread, you feel happy and satisfied with not only the situation but also yourself.

– Arianne K.

Allergies and Anxiety, Allergies and Attitude, Eating and Drinking with Allergies, Uncategorized

Top 10 Tips for Trying a New Food with a Food Allergy

July 1, 2016 1 Comment

Talk to your allergist

This is a really important step, especially if you are trying a food that you were previously allergic to! Ask your allergist for their own tips and recommendations and ensure that it is safe for you to be trying the food. They can provide information such as how much to try, how to prepare it, etc.

Make sure your auto-injector is nearby

When trying new food, you never know what might happen so it is important to have your auto-injector with you (even though you should have it on you at all times!)

Have a buddy with you

Just in case something was to happen, you should make sure that somebody you know and who knows about your food allergies (and how to deal with a reaction) is with you when you try your new food.

Two beautiful young woman sitting at cafe drinking coffee and looking at mobile phone

Eat at the allergist’s office

When trying a food you were previously allergic to, ask your allergist if you can try it in their office so they are nearby in case you have a reaction. Often they will have no problem with you doing this to make you feel more comfortable.

Double check the ingredients

When trying something new it is very important for you to know exactly what it is you are eating! Make sure to read the label over several times or if you are at a restaurant be very clear with the staff about your allergens and cross-contamination.

Try it more than once

This can be especially important for allergens that you have grown out of. Talk to your allergist about subsequent exposure and the affect it can have on your immune system.

Cook it at home

If you are trying a new food that you can cook yourself, it is probably best to try it this way the first time. That way you can control the environment and kitchen it is being cooked in and know there will be no cross-contamination.

young couple preparing early morning eggs breakfast on stove in home kitchen

Talk to others

To get an idea of what it is like to try new foods talk to other people with food allergies to see what they have tried and how they did it! They could provide some helpful tips or foods they have grown to love.

Get creative

Often those who are at-risk for anaphylaxis have very limited diets but there are so many amazing types of cuisine out there! Try something totally new that is out of your comfort zone – just remember to do it safely!

Don’t be afraid!

Trying new foods can produce a lot of anxiety in someone who is at-risk for anaphylaxis. If you have followed all the steps to ensure your safety, you have a friend nearby and you have your auto-injector ready, there is no need to be afraid. Read our recent post on help dealing with anxiety.

– Lindsay S.

Allergies and Attitude, Eating and Drinking with Allergies, Travel and Allergies

Long Weekend at the Cottage: The ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’

June 28, 2016 Leave a comment

The great thing about June is that it is the month that officially kicks off Summer. I like to think of the Victoria Day Weekend as the unofficial inaugural long weekend devoted to the beginning of Summer: re-opening the cottage, outdoor barbeques, and family get-togethers. The Canada Day long weekend, only a month later, allows you to really enjoy all of the greatness that summer has to offer.

Green Canoe and Dock on a Misty Morning As fun as family barbeques and cottage get-togethers can be, effectively managing your severe food allergy will always be a factor that you must keep in mind when planning your ‘getaways’ to the cottage. Here is a list of some tips and tricks to keep in mind when planning to host or attend events during cottage season this Summer. I’ve drawn these from my own personal experiences, so by no means is this a definitive list of ‘must-dos’. Think of this as a way to complement your existing routine and mindset.

Managing the Barbeque Scene at the Cottage:

I love barbequed food – who doesn’t? I’ve always found barbeques to be the least “intimidating” form of a food-centric event, specifically in regards to managing allergies. This is usually the case given that I usually have complete access to the grill – I can see exactly what gets cooked and keep track of who handled what foods. Additionally, in most cases, barbequed food goes from grill to plate directly, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination as long as no sauces or marinades contain my allergen.

Having said this, however, you should always be acutely aware of what food is being prepared, and how that food is being prepared. At times, certain meats may be marinated in a sauce that may contain your specific allergen. In addition, some barbeque sauces contain a number of allergens, which brings home the point of ALWAYS reading the label, even if you think something is safe to eat. If possible, always try to handle you own food. Grill to plate, as mentioned above, is often the best policy when it comes to barbeques as it can reduce the risk of cross contamination. In cases where you know sauces containing your allergen have been used on the grill, try to clean the grill with soap and water before even turning the barbeque on.

Family having a barbecue party in their garden in summer

Bringing Appropriate Awareness to your Allergy:

Always make sure that the people around you are aware of your allergy. Make sure that you show them your auto-injector, and, if necessary, do a quick demonstration of how to use one (with a trainer injector) just in case. It is essential that you speak to the “chef” (cousin, relative, etc…) preparing the food – make sure to explicitly explain the severity of your allergy and thoroughly explain the concept of cross-contamination. Many people (family included) have a difficult time grasping the risks involved with cross-contamination. Explain what it is, its importance, and how to ultimately avoid it.

Travelling to your Friend’s Cottage:

The rules described above hold the same relevance when travelling to someone else’s cottage. Always let your “host” (friend or relative) know that you have a severe allergy and where you store your auto-injector. Never be afraid to speak-up about your allergies and never be peer pressured into doing something (or eating something) that makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy in any way – your health is too important for that.

Remember that your allergies aren’t everything – it’s something that is a part of you that you have to deal with. Own your allergies, let people know about it, but don’t let them stand in the way of having a relaxing and enjoyable long-weekend.

– Saverio M.

Allergies and Attitude, Allergies and Exercise

Food Allergies at the Gym

June 19, 2016 1 Comment

I feel like every allergic individual is extremely cautious in every food situation as you want to avoid coming into contact with your allergen, but I believe that we need to be just as cautious in non-food related situations. I’m a gym-fanatic and I find myself most cautious and anxious about my food allergies in the gym or when I am doing some type of physical activity. Yes, you’re not typically ingesting any food at the gym, but that doesn’t mean that you are completely safe from having an allergic reaction.

I’ve suffered two severe anaphylactic reactions when I was doing physical activity. The first reaction was while I was running outside; the second was while I was at the gym. Both times I had not ingested food immediately prior to working out.

Shaped and healthy body man holding a walnuts, isolated on white background

The allergic reactions I experienced at the gym really opened my eyes. It was the first time where I had an allergic reaction in a situation where I was not ingesting any food, and had not for some time. My allergist once told me that no matter how prepared you are or how cautious you are at avoiding your allergen, accidents can still happen and that’s not your fault. You can’t blame yourself or be fearful of things that are out of your control. Being prepared and taking precautionary measures that ensure you are not putting yourself at-risk when performing any kind of physical activity are the best things you can do to avoid accidental exposure. Think about these tips before working out:

Do I have my EpiPens® on me?
If I’m going to be alone, do I have a phone on me?
Does someone know where I’m going/approximately how long I’m going to be?
When was the last time I ate?
Did I accidentally eat something that said the words MAY CONTAIN… today?

If I say no to any of these tips, I simply do not workout and cannot work out until I can say yes to all of them.

Young beautiful woman at gym

Also, whenever I do go to the gym, I make sure I stick to the following rules:

Wash down every machine before AND after I use it – you honestly don’t know what the person before you touched.
Take frequent breaks to catch my breath and lower my heart rate – this way you’re able to make sure your body is recovering normally.
DON’T TOUCH MY FACE
Wash my hands (or shower if I’m smelly) after my work out!

Your workouts do not have to be affected by allergies, it just means that you need to be a little more cautious and aware when in these situations.

– Giulia C.

Allergies and Anxiety, Allergies and Attitude, Eating and Drinking with Allergies, Travel and Allergies

Three Tips on Dealing with Food Allergy Anxiety

June 14, 2016 1 Comment

“You can’t always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.”

– Wayne Dyer

Anxiety is normal – everyone experiences it to some level. When you have food allergies, you may experience more anxiety that the average person. But the key is learning to manage that anxiety.

Having life-threatening allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish/seafood, wheat, barley, and buckwheat, anxiety has been a feeling I have gotten accustomed to over the years. However, I have also learned how to manage this anxiety by using the following three tips:

Be prepared.

BE PREPARED, message on business note paper, computer and coffee on table

– If you are going to a restaurant or a friend/family member’s house, tell them about your food allergies beforehand.
– Make sure you always have your auto-injector just in case you need to use it.
– If you can bring your own food to make it easier – do so. For instance, when I go on vacation, I often take dry brown rice pasta and rice flour bread to put my mind at ease, as well as make the kitchen staff’s job simpler.

Communicate and don’t “feel bad.”

– Stress the importance of avoiding these allergens in the meal, even at the restaurant or friend/family member’s house.
– Use words and allergy cards, if possible. Using both ensures that all of your food allergies are communicated accurately and completely.
– I used to “feel bad” about communicating my allergies when eating out/at others’ homes. Sometimes I still do – BUT, it is important to remember that it is better to be safe. Both you and the other party will greatly appreciate that.

3. Relax.

– Breathe in and out slowly through your nose – this may sound simple, but my dentist taught me this one, and I’ve used it whenever I feel anxiety. It always helps.
– Distract yourself from the anxiety. If you are with others, talk with them, or watch the television if there is one nearby. Telling those you are with about your anxiety can also help, as they will try to help you manage it.
– Think rationally – if you are prepared and communicate, you should be fine.
– BE POSITIVE!

Although you cannot control everything, controlling as much of the situation both internally and externally as possible, will help you manage anxiety. The feeling of anxiety when eating out does not fully go away for me, which I’ve heard is quite normal. However, by managing my anxiety, I can effectively decrease my anxiety to a level where it no longer negatively affects me.

– Shivangi S.

Adults with Allergies Blog