Food Allergies and Summer Fun- Tips and Tools to Keep you Thriving this Summer

Summer is here- at least for most according to the school calendar.  It’s time to start thinking summer activities, days at the pool, fun outings and play dates- all things that make summer so fun.  Having a food allergy can complicate even simple outings so my Thrive On Three this time are some of my favorite stay safe strategies and tools to keep summer cool and safe!

Three ways to Thrive On this summer:

Medicine Must Dos

First and foremost, no matter what you do this summer always be sure your emergency medications are with you.  If you haven’t already, find a carrier that will allow you to easily carry your medication with you no matter where your summer adventures take you.  Check out AllerMates and AllergyApparel for some great carrier options. 

Remember to also keep your medicine temperature controlled.  Summer heat can take a toll on your medicines, so be sure you keep them within the appropriate temperature range. For the EpiPen®, that means between 68° - 77° F.  Frio offers a great option for a carrying case that will keep your pens within the right range. 

Gear Up for Fun

We have navigated quite a few summers with food allergies and have found some very helpful items when eating on the go.

We eat on the road a lot, either on the way to activities or picnicking at the zoo or parks.  One item we use all of the time is our backpack cooler.  We can load up a day’s worth of food and can easily carry other needed supplies all while staying hands free for summer activities. 

Another item we love, our fold-up picnic blanket.  We keep it in our car and have it on hand for picnics and impromptu meals on the go.  It folds up with handles so we can easily carry it with us to parks. It also has a water proof barrier on the bottom so even if the grass is damp we stay dry.  We tend to avoid picnic tables since we never know what was just eaten on that surface so our picnic blanket is a great option.  A great hack for park picnic tables if you need to dine on one- head to the dollar store and grab a few plastic party table clothes and keep them in your car for a need-to-cover-a-table  moment. 

Food Fundamentals

Summer fun usually involves food so be sure you are prepared.  Be sure to talk to friends and party hosts in advance of events to decide on your stay-safe plan- you may decided to take safe dishes to share, eat before the event, or bring a safe meal just for you or your child that you know will be free of your allergens.

Keep your car stocked with non-perishable snacks.  Summer can mean opportunities for spontaneous fun, but when you have food allergies spontaneity can be problematic.  Ensure you have some food options at the ready so if summer fun calls you can stay out.  Stocking safe snacks can give you enough food to get you through until you return home for a safe meal.  We keep a bin in our van filled with Enjoy Life snacks and some of our other safe favorites in case we need a snack while on the go.

Wishing you a safe and fun-filled summer!  Thrive On!


Product Disclaimer:
Thrive On Consulting does not sponsor or endorse the products listed.  Nor has Thrive On Consulting been paid to include these products.  Products mentioned here are provided as ideas and suggestions to help you Thrive On with food allergies.


If you find this post helpful learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which helps families and individuals managing food allergies, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Food Allergies and Luck

It is March- shamrocks, leprechauns and wishes for good luck are everywhere.  But what does this have to do with food allergies?  I think it is a lesson in luck.  Luck is defined as, “success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions”.  One thing is certain, when it comes to food allergies you cannot leave your safety to luck.  Being thoughtful, prepared and taking intentional action will help you Thrive On.  This week my Thrive On 3 is all about steps you need to take to stay safe- don’t leave it to luck!

Carry 2 EpiPens® at All Times
No matter where you are going or what you are doing, if you have a food allergy you have to have your EpiPen® with you.  Severe reactions can escalate in minutes and being without your epinephrine could have dire consequences.  Don’t risk it- keep your emergency medications with you.

Last year, there were multiple times that I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and learned of yet another food allergy related death. As I read these stories with tears streaming down my face from sorrow for the families to fear about my own daughter’s safety, one thing frequently struck me in these stories- often the person did not have their epinephrine with them.

Yes, there are challenges to carrying around medicines, but at the end of the day I would rather have an inconvenience than an irreversible outcome.  There are a number of great carriers out there.  We use the AllerMates Allergy Medicine Case.  It fits two EpiPens®, our antihistamine and includes an ID card with contact information.  We have had the case for two years and it is still in great condition despite the fact that it is transported everywhere and passed off multiple times throughout the day at school to teachers, cafeteria staff, and car pool monitors.  Frio offers a great insulated bag for summer time heat when it is essential to keep your epinephrine temperature controlled.  Some other great carrier options are offered by Allergy Apparel and Epi Essentials (check these out for older girls- so stylish and functional!).  Also, if you register for the My EpiPen® Program through Mylan they will send you a free carrying case.

These are just a few of the many options available.  No matter how you choose to carry your emergency medications, a fancy carrier or a simple bag or pocket, the important thing is that you carry two EpiPens® – everywhere, all of the time.

Be Your Own Advocate
One of my favorite songs is Brave by Sarah Bereilles.  In it she sings, “Say what you wanna say, And let the words fall out, Honestly I wanna see you be brave.”  I love these lines and think this is so true when you have food allergies.  Sometimes you have to be brave to speak up and make a situation safe.  It can be uncomfortable, but you have to advocate for yourself or your child.  No one else will do it, or do it in the way that you can armed with information about your allergens, medicines and strategies for keeping you safe.

Don’t apologize for your allergies, speak the truth and inform people about what needs to happen, or not happen, to keep you safe.  Do it in a way that promotes collaboration and partnership.  Going in defensive, which admittedly is extremely difficult not to do sometimes, will ultimately work against you.  Yes, you may be frustrated, scared, and sometimes even mad that things are the way they are, but take the time to advocate in a positive and productive way.

Come prepared to discuss facts, offer alternative solutions and go in with the attitude that a positive outcome is possible.  Most importantly, do it- advocate for yourself or your child.  Say what you need to say- I want to see you be brave!

Educate and Build Your Village
We have all heard the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child”.  I have found this to be true time and time again, and especially since our food allergy diagnosis.  As much as I like to think of myself as a “superwoman”, I have learned you cannot manage your food allergies in isolation.  You need support from your village!

I have also learned that people just don’t know what they don’t know.  I think back to before our diagnosis- I am sure I took unsafe foods to the park and didn’t wash my daughter’s hands after eating all of the time.  All things that are unthinkable to me now.  I do the right thing now because I am aware, because I am educated.  Part of building your village is making sure that people know what they need to know- about your allergies and how to keep you safe.

It has often been my experience that when I take the time to educate on food allergies people are more than willing to help make accommodations or be thoughtful about what foods they serve.  It can be as simple as a call to someone before an event to training your caregivers on how to keep your child safe while you are away (Need help with that? Check out my blog post for FAACT on Food Allergies and Caregivers).

Brainstorm who is in your village- family, friends, school personnel, babysitters, neighbors, restaurant staff, camp counselors….develop your list.  Once this list is defined make sure your village is aware and prepared to help you and your child Thrive On!

Luck is great, but your safety is not a game of chance.  To Thrive On with food allergies, you need to be prepared and have people around you who are also educated and ready to assist in managing your food allergies.  If you need help educating your village or developing ways to advocate for yourself let me know- I am here to help you Thrive On!

Product Disclaimer:
Thrive On Consulting does not sponsor or endorse the products listed.  Nor has Thrive On Consulting been paid to include these products.  Products mentioned here are provided as ideas and suggestions to help you Thrive On with food allergies.

If you find this post helpful learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which helps families and individuals dealing with food allergies, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Fourth of July - Tips for Keeping it Safe

When you have a food allergy, attending a birthday party requires some extra planning to make sure you stay safe.  America’s birthday is no exception.  This Fourth of July, be patriotic and prepared with my three tips for thriving on this holiday. 

Grill Master

Burgers and hot dogs on the grill are a big part of Fourth of July festivities for many people.  But, grills can pose a risk for cross-contact.  Cross-contact occurs when proteins of two foods mix because they have touched.  Cross-contact is dangerous for those with food allergies, as even a trace amount of an allergen can trigger a reaction.  If you will be grilling for someone with a food allergy, be sure that their food is completely wrapped in foil while on the grill, and plate food allergy friendly grill items separate from those that have come in contact with the grill.  Be sure to also use separate utensils when handling allergen free foods.

Don’t Leave Potlucks to Luck

Another popular Fourth of July activity is the potluck picnic- bring a dish and share with all.  Potlucks are a minefield for those with food allergies.  So many questions about ingredients, how things were prepared, and again concern about cross contact.  If you have an allergy and will be attending a potluck, be sure to pack safe snacks in case you are unable to eat food offered at the party.  And of course, bring a food allergy friendly option to share.

If you are hosting a potluck, talk to food allergic guests about supplying a few safe dishes. I think I speak for most when I say that we are happy to bring safe foods and reaching out to us means more than you know.  Or, work with guests to ensure that a few allergy friendly options will be available.  For example, forgo the homemade cookies and provide an allergy friendly option like Enjoy Life cookies which are free of the top 8 allergens.  Stick with simple options like fresh fruit and veggies that may be safer for food allergic guests.  

Another food allergy friendly potluck tip, organize the food so that allergen free items are on a separate table so that serving utensils are not accidentally used in the wrong dish or inadvertent cross-contact happens from foods being dropped or spilled as they are dished out.

Medicine Musts

When you have a food allergy you must always have your emergency medications with you.  Be sure to pack emergency medicines in a way that will keep them easily accessible and in a temperature controlled environment, EpiPens® should be kept within 68° - 77°F.  

Never leave your medicine in a car.  Heading to a picnic or firework show, make sure your medicine goes with you- for two reasons.  First, you need to maintain the appropriate temperature and we all know how sweltering a car can become.  Temperatures inside a closed car can quickly climb and compromise your medicine.  Second, in an emergency, you want to be able to retrieve your medicines quickly so that you can get your reaction under control.  Seconds count in a food allergy emergency so have your medicines with you at all times. 

Also, be sure to inform your friends or family members about what to do in an emergency.  Most children will be under the watchful eye of a parent at events so will have assistance immediately if there is an emergency.  But, if you are an adult or teen with food allergies, make sure someone else knows the location of your medicines and how to respond should you need assistance.

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy 4^th!

Product Disclaimer:

Thrive On Consulting does not sponsor or endorse the products listed.  Nor has Thrive On Consulting been paid to include these products.  Products mentioned here are provided as ideas and suggestions to help you Thrive On with food allergies.

If you find this post helpful learn more about Tami and her company, Thrive On Consulting, which helps families and individuals managing food allergies, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter