When my first child, Alex, was just ten months old, he experienced a severe anaphylactic reaction to hidden dairy in his rice cereal. This incident led to an emergency room visit and a subsequent appointment with a pediatric allergist, where he was diagnosed with moderate to severe allergies to thirteen different foods. From that moment on, Alex was advised to avoid peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, barley, oats, fish, shellfish, green olives, black pepper, malt, and cantaloupe. Moreover, any contact with dairy products was strictly prohibited.
For Alex, this didn’t drastically alter his lifestyle. As a notoriously picky eater, he already had a limited diet, which meant I didn’t have to make many adjustments. As a stay-at-home mom, it became my responsibility to create a safe environment, although avoiding allergenic crumbs in public spaces—such as libraries and playgrounds—was a significant challenge.
The moment I received the diagnosis turned my world upside down. Holding Alex’s two new EpiPens, I was overwhelmed with fear about how to keep him safe. As a nursing mother, I also faced the challenge of eliminating these allergens from my own diet. What would I eat?
In the following weeks and months, I found my appetite diminished, and my weight reflected that struggle. Nevertheless, we successfully managed to keep Alex safe, and he hasn’t experienced another anaphylactic reaction in the six years following that initial episode. Now, just weeks shy of his seventh birthday, he has outgrown most of his allergies except for peanuts and dairy.
Unexpected Benefits of Food Allergies
With this experience behind me, I can now recognize some unexpected benefits that have arisen from Alex’s food allergies:
- Trusting My Instincts: For nine months, I observed various symptoms in Alex that seemed unusual for a typical baby—colic, sleeplessness, skin rashes, and more. Once we connected these symptoms to food allergies, I felt validated in my persistent visits to the pediatrician and my protective nature.
- Culinary Skills: I quickly learned to cook from scratch. Most pre-packaged foods contained at least one of Alex’s allergens, necessitating this skill.
- Baking Expertise: I faced the challenge of creating a special birthday cake without milk, eggs, or wheat just two months after his diagnosis. I initially thought it was impossible, but I discovered numerous ways to make delicious treats free of allergens.
- Informed Choices: I became well-versed in reading food labels, uncovering the hidden ingredients in many products.
- Surprising Discoveries: Surprisingly, I found that some foods were free from allergens. For instance, both Oreos and Hunt’s Lemon pudding contain no dairy or eggs, albeit with some reservations.
- Advocacy Skills: I grew confident in my role as Alex’s medical advocate, learning to research and make informed choices about his health.
- Diverse Dietary Exposure: Our family has embraced a broader range of food options. We regularly stock various types of milk, including hemp, almond, coconut, and dairy, catering to everyone’s dietary needs.
- Community Support: I have been continually touched by the kindness of others, from family members who adapt their cooking for gatherings to friends and neighbors who take precautions to ensure Alex’s safety.
I am grateful for Alex’s food allergies as they have contributed to the incredible person he is today, and I would not change a thing about him.
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Summary
This article discusses the unexpected benefits of navigating food allergies based on personal experiences. From developing cooking skills to trusting maternal instincts and advocating for a child’s health, each point highlights how challenges can lead to positive outcomes. Community support and dietary diversity are also emphasized as significant advantages of managing food allergies.