The 9 Best Food Allergy Family Resources
Updated January 2023. Post contains affiliate links.
When my oldest daughter was diagnosed with severe milk and egg allergies over 16 years ago, there were not a lot of resources to access.
There were no Facebook groups or Instagram influencers and Food Allergy Research and Education (AKA FARE) wasn't even formed yet!
Granted, there were a few other informational organizations, but there weren’t very many lifestyle solutions out there!
Honestly, it seemed so lonely back then.
This is why I wanted to share a few of my favorite family resources in a blog post.
If you’re going through the food allergy journey now, there are resources out there and I want to share them with you to make sure you don’t feel as lonely as I did.
Of course, I want you to know about reputable organizations which you can get all your facts and info from. I'm comfortable sharing them because they're well-trusted and based on scientific research. My two favorites are Food Allergy Canada and Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE).
The other resources I'm sharing are what I consider lifestyle solutions. Things that make living with food allergies easier and make your life better in some way. Full disclosure, some of these resources are affiliate links but be assured that I only recommended things that I’ve used and love.
My Favorite Food Allergy Resources for Food Allergy Families
Actually, Allergic Living was around 16 years ago, but now it’s online and so easy to access. It was one of my go-to’s 15 years ago, and it continues to be a go-to now. They have amazing recipes, food allergy news, articles and even Allergist interviews and Q and A’s. All of the articles are factual and based on scientific research so you’ll never be wondering what you can and can’t believe.
2. Food Allergy Counselor, Tamara Hubbard
My list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Food Allergy Counselor, Tamara Hubbard. She’s a food allergy mom herself and gets all the nuances and stresses of food allergy life. Her blog posts are amazing, but if you need more one-on-one help, you can contact her (for those in the Long Grove, IL area) OR she's also created a food allergy counselor directory on her website. If food allergies are affecting your life to the point of paralysis, please get support from Tamara or another food allergy counselor!
3. School Allergy Plan Template (Sample 504 Plan for Food Allergies)
I’ve created and perfected this template over 12 years of school. I started it when my daughter was in preschool and every year I would update and improve it to eliminate any problems or misunderstandings we had the previous year. This template has been a literal lifesaver every single year when I meet with my daughter’s new teacher. It’s available for purchase here.
My kids and I have never seen Kyle Dine in person, but I know he’s helped so many food allergy kids with his presentation! I mean, how awesome would it be to have an entertainer spread awareness and food allergy love to ALL of your child’s peers AND teachers? Pretty amazing if you ask me!
5. Food Allergy Mama Help
Want more confidence with all things related to food allergy lifestyle and keeping your child safe? My low-cost workshop series is for you.
From getting over the fear of trying new foods to gaining positive epinephrine habits to getting others and teachers to take food allergies seriously, you’ll get all the lifestyle strategies you could ever need for keeping your child safe and included! If your child is under 10 years old, these essential workshops are for you.
Foood Allergy Travel and Dining Out With Food Allergies Workshops just added!
When my daughter started becoming more independent, and especially when she started school, I wanted to make sure that others were aware of her food allergies in case a reaction occurred. If a reaction happened, I wanted to make sure that teachers and caregivers had an easy way of knowing her food allergies, and what to do in case my daughter couldn’t tell them herself. Having a good quality, comfortable and durable bracelet was really important to make sure that she would wear it.
In the beginning, allergy cards were perfect for safely communicating our allergies to restaurants at home. But as we started to travel to more and more countries, we found them invaluable for communicating my daughter’s allergies to restaurants in other languages too. We don’t leave home without them.
8. Food Allergy Recipes & Cooking.
Cooking and baking for food allergies can be one of the hardest things because it turns what you already knew completely upside down. That’s where having an excellent source of allergy-friendly recipes is essential. If you need a birthday cake or cookies for a playdate, one of my favorite allergy-baking gurus is Allergylicious.
I also have an allergy-friendly recipe ebook and training bundle to help you navigate food allergy cooking AND give you delicious meal ideas. It’s available for purchase right here! It’s been tested and approved by over 40 food allergy families before I ever put it on sale and has helped many more since!
9. Allergy Eats
This app helps food allergy parents find allergy-friendly restaurants. It’s been around for a while and after a brief pause during the pandemic, it’s back! Although it can’t be used when I’m at home in Canada (it only lists US restaurants), we do consult it when we visit our neighbors to the south. And it is so helpful, especially when you’re traveling to new places!
Conclusion
I hope one or more of these resources give you JUST what you need to get through something you’re struggling with right now. That’s why I write my blog, to help mamas like you!
PLEASE read and SHARE with other food allergy moms and food allergy groups. Sharing IS a great way to help other food allergy moms and allows me to continue creating content. Thank you so much!
What resource will you try first or what do you already love? Let me know in the comments!
You may also like these posts:
Discover The High Mental Weight of a Food Allergy Mom
9 Clever Life Organization Hacks Food Allergy Moms Need To Start ASAP
Crucial Questions To Ask Your Preschool Or Daycare Before Enrolling Your Food Allergy Child
Six of the Best Ways to Empower Your Food Allergy Toddler (With link to older child)
