Family Visiting for the Holidays
By Alexander
Dec. 28, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) We have a lot of family members that we go visit during the holidays. All my cousins are always getting extra treats that I can’t have. It makes me feel really left out. What can I do?
(A) Why don’t you and your mom or dad bake some special treats before you go to visit relatives? You can put some of your special treats in the freezer so you will have one to take with you every time you visit relatives.
This should help when everyone else has something special, you will have something special too!
Talk to your parents about the situation. Maybe they can talk to your relatives and suggest to them that they offer treats that you don’t eat, such as stickers, pencils, or other things that everyone can enjoy.
Enjoy visiting with all your relatives, have fun and be safe.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Source: Food Allergy
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com
Alexander: The Food Allergy Blues
By Alexander
Nov. 24, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) Sometimes I feel sad because I have a food allergy, so I pretend to be happy. What can I do to feel better?
(A) Lots of kids feel sad sometimes about having a food allergy, but it’s important to remember that having a food allergy is part of what makes you unique. So keep your chin up.
Don’t forget, there are over 12 million people in the United States who have food allergies, and 2 million of those are kids just like you.
Talk to your parents when you are feeling sad and let them know how you feel. Talking to them can help out a lot. Try keeping a journal of your feelings as this can help, too.
Positive thinking is the key.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Source: Food Allergy
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com
Alexander: Birthday Parties
By Alexander
Nov. 15, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) I have gone to lots of birthday parties and I have always gotten to eat the birthday cake. But I just found out I am allergic to tree nuts and now my mom and dad say we have to bring our own safe treat to parties. Why can’t I eat the birthday cake if I was always able to eat it before?
(A) Sometimes cake contains tree nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds, to name just a few. Just because you cannot see the tree nuts in the cake, does not mean they are not there. Sometimes cakes are made in bakeries or kitchens that use tree nuts for other baked goods, so a cake made without tree nuts might accidentally come into contact with them, making it unsafe to eat. That is why you must not eat cake unless your mom says it is “safe.”
If your parents want you to take your own treat to the party, maybe you could ask your friend what flavor cake he or she will be having and you can help your mom and dad make an allergy-free version of the same thing.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Source: Food Allergy
Editor’s Note: The above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com
Halloween Be Safe
by Alexander
Oct. 25, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) What do you like best about Halloween?
(A) That’s easy! I love spending time with my friends.
I also love the adventure of going trick-or-treating. It’s perfect: You get together with your group of friends, plan your strategy, and then head out into the neighborhood, looking for goodies!
Of course, I have to be careful. Anything with peanuts will give me a reaction! So I take candy but leave it wrapped in my bag. If anyone offers me unwrapped food, I tell them “No, thanks, I have a peanut allergy.” When I get home, my parents and I sort out the safe candies and give the rest to my friends.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: Food Allergy
Food Eating During the Holidays
By Alexnader
Oct. 16, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) My dad wants to eat in a restaurant this year for our holiday meal, but my mom doesn’t think we should. Which have you found to be easiest?
(A) That’s a great question! Families often enjoy eating out during the holidays, because it saves time and energy. However, it also presents extra problems for those of us with food allergies.
If you’re eating out, have your dad call the restaurant in advance and plan out a safe meal with them. He will need to remind the staff about secret ingredients that can show up in food and review ways to avoid cross-contact in the kitchen.
I think the safest and easiest is eating at home. Your family already has a lot of experience in managing your food allergy! The most important thing to do is to tell your parents what you want to do. That will help them make the decision.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Source Food Allergy
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com
Alexander – Halloween Food You Can Eat
By Alexander
Oct. 11, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) Halloween is coming up soon and I love Halloween! I want to go trick-or-treating and eat candy, but my mom is worried about me having a reaction.
(A) No one wants to have a reaction, on Halloween or any other day. But on Halloween, you definitely have to be extra careful because there is so much candy everywhere that looks pretty yummy. But just as you would never eat a food that someone offered you without checking with a trusted adult, you must never eat, or even open a piece of candy if your parents haven’t said it’s okay.
There are ways to stay safe and have fun on Halloween. You could have your friends over for a Halloween get-together and safe treats, or make a haunted “house” with friends. If your parents allow you to go trick-or-treating, see if your family can buy some safe candy beforehand. Go with a parent and don’t open any candy until your parents have a chance to read the labels. There may be a few, or even a lot, of pieces of candy that your mom and dad take away from your treat bag. But you know what? You can swap out that candy for some of the safe candy you already bought. Ask your mom and dad to check out www.foodallergy.org/featuredtopic.html for more tips on staying safe on Halloween.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Source: Food Allergy
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com
Dealing With The Food Allergy Blues
By Alexander
Sept. 25, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) Sometimes I feel sad because I have a food allergy, so I pretend to be happy. What can I do to feel better?
(A) Lots of kids feel sad sometimes about having a food allergy, but it’s important to remember that having a food allergy is part of what makes you unique. So keep your chin up. Don’t forget, there are over 12 million people in the United States who have food allergies, and 2 million of those are kids just like you.
Talk to your parents when you are feeling sad and let them know how you feel. Talking to them can help out a lot. Try keeping a journal of your feelings as this can help, too.
Positive thinking is the key.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Source: Food Allergy
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com
If Someone Tries to Make Me eat Something?
By Alexander
Sept. 20, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) What do I do if someone keeps offering or trying to make me eat a food I am allergic to?
(A) I’m sorry that some people don’t understand how serious food allergies can be. Not everyone gets that just one bite of a food can cause an allergic reaction. If you are offered a food that you know you are allergic to or one that you are unsure of, it’s important to say no. Keep saying no if someone continues to offer the food.
You can’t control everything other people do, but you can control what you do. Don’t be afraid to tell other people that you are allergic. Get help from an adult if you feel nervous or worried.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Source: Food Allergy
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Teaching Classmates About Food Allergy
by Alexander
Sept. 13, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) I’ve tried to explain food allergies to my classmates, but they just don’t care to understand. How can I show them how serious food allergies are?
(A) You have a few options. Have you shown them any of the Alexander, the Elephant Who Couldn’t Eat Peanuts videos? Your classmates would enjoy these animated stories about a friendly, young elephant who can’t eat peanuts. Some of the Alexander videos even have interviews with real kids who have food allergies!
There are also Alexander storybooks that a parent or teacher could read to your class. These storybooks cover a wide range of topics and can help show just how safe you have to be all the time.
Asking your teacher, the school nurse, or the principal for help is another good way to get your classmates’ attenion. Your safety is very important to these adults, so they would be great advocates. Sometimes, classmates won’t listen unless an adult is the one talking.
Whatever you do, I’m sure that with enough work, your classmates will understand the importance of food allergies.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: Food Allergy
Pranks Kids Play at School
By Alexander
September 4, 2009
Dear Alexander,
(Q) I am 10 years old and allergic to peanuts. Somebody put peanut butter in my desk at school. What should I do about making sure my classmates understand my allergy instead of being mean about it?
(A) Sometimes kids can be mean when they do not understand something. Talk to your parents and your teacher so they can help you to come up with a plan to talk to your classmates about how serious a food allergy is. The kids will learn that food allergy can make someone very sick if they play tricks like putting peanut butter on your desk or on your personal items. The more they learn about food allergy, the more likely they will be willing to help you stay safe at school.
If anyone is ever threatening or bullying you, tell your parents, teacher, or an adult you trust.
Good luck!
Your friend,
Alexander the Elephant
Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.
We would like to know what you Think? dan@youngchronicle.com
Source: Food Allergy