RESOURCES: Cooking with Food Allergies
When I see teens online talking about their allegies so openly and connecting with others it warms my heart. I WISH I could have had the opportunity to do that, maybe I would have had confidence with my allergies much earlier in my life. This resource is one of the reasons I added the children & teen corner of the blog. I hope you are inspired by their stories, and recipes!
“We are a group of teens that are part of the FARE Teen Advisory Board. Too often, people living with food allergies can feel left out because they are not eating the same food as others. Unfortunately, food is a big part of people’s social life so there is no escaping it. Our mission is to share allergy-friendly recipes so that the food allergic can remain safe and still be included. We all have various allergies, so this website will showcase different allergen-friendly recipes.”
MEMBERS
Some members have given some advice for teens with food allergies!
LAUREN
Learn to stop caring what others think of you when taking necessary precautions with your food allergies. It isn’t worth feeling bad when you are doing what it takes to keep yourself safe.
Lauren is 16 years old and has had food allergies their whole life. There have been a lot of difficult experiences for Lauren but all of that has shaped them into the person they are today! Hobbies include: writing, working out, and spending time with their sisters.
SHAE
use your voice because it’s so important and can be a matter of life or death. Don’t be afraid, nervous, or embarrassed for speaking up about your food allergy. The more people know about your allergy, the safer you will be. It’s also great to use your voice to advocate for others with food allergies because the more support we have as a community, the stronger we are.
Shae is 14 years old and they are allergic to dairy. Shae has been a FARE TAG member for 2 years and is involved in various food allergy organizations. They love to spread awareness and positivity about food allergies. Hobbies include: cooking and baking allergy friendly recipes.
KRISTIN
Never be afraid to speak up for yourself and your allergy needs! You should never feel guilty for doing what you need to do to be safe.
Kristin is 17 and lives in New Jersey. They are gluten free and egg free. They are allergen-free dessert blogger and cookbook author. Hobbies include: figure skate and make seed bead jewelry.
@single.sweets www.singlesweets.com - Krisitin collaborated on a blog for The Allergy Table - 5 things to do if you're alone on Valentines day (not just single)
CAMDEN
You are accountable for your own actions, do not put yourself at risk because you are in fear of speaking up about your food allergies. Bring your own foods when necessary and do not be afraid to offend someone when you bring your own food”
Camden is from Sand Diego, California is going to be a freshman in college. Their food allergies are to peanuts, tree-nuts, and eggs. Hobbies include: fishing, skateboarding, and running.
CATHERINE
Always stay confident with who you are and how you need to keep yourself safe. There will always be some judgement towards food allergies, separate yourself from the negativity and choose true friends who will be the most understanding and accommodating.
Catherine is 17 years old and a senior in high school. They are allergic to dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, quinoa, and latex. In 2018, they published an allergy-friendly cookbook titled: Cook It Up! Delicious Recipes for Healthy Cooking which featured healthy allergy friendly recipes. Leading a TAG Project called Food Allergy Life, and which their goal is to create informational videos showcasing what it is like to be a teen living with food allergies. Hobbies include: tennis, taking photos, and cooking!
@cook_it_up_catherine and TAG project @_foodallergylife.
AANYA
Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is look for the silver lining
Aanya is 14 years old and from the suburbs of Chicago. They have nut allergies along with celiac disease. They are an allergy friendly recipe creator and food blogger. Hobbies include: basketball, golf, and writing. @living_the_gf_vibes
BEATRIX
Don’t feel embarrassed about bringing your own food to events and social activities. Everyone else is eating whatever they want anyway, there is no need to be embarrassed about bringing your own food.
Beatrix is 14 years old and lives in Redlands, California. They are allergic to dairy, peanuts, and tree-nuts since they were a baby. Beatrix likes singing, dancing, and drawing. A fun fact: They have been to the Galapagos Islands and to the equator.
RACHEL
Never hide behind your food allergies or feel ashamed by them. They only make you more unique
Rachel is a senior in high school and lives in Chicago, Illinois. They are allergic to tree nuts and peanuts. Hobbies include: playing tennis, field hockey, and soccer.
ABBY
Never be afraid to advocate for yourself and stick up for yourself in situations where other people may not be understanding of your allergies. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, but don’t let your allergies prevent you from living life to the fullest! I like to eat either right before or right after parties or social gatherings, so I am still able to participate and hang out with friends while being safe at the same time!
Abby is 18 years old, and from Buffalo, New York. They are allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, beef, pork, shellfish, legumes, seeds, garlic, bananas, and some pitted fruits. They will be attending Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York in the autumn- studying either political science or psychology. In addition to food allergy awareness, Abby is also extremely passionate about mental health advocacy, especially when it is related to eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder. Hobbies include: performing - dancing since they were two years old, and participating in lots of theater productions throughout high school, reading (Harry Potter) and spending time with their family, particularly Abby’s yellow lab puppy Ellie!
Please connect with the resources on this page and reach out for support, guidance, connection and friendship - we are all in this together!
