Links

LINKS

Evan, 2 years old, 2001

There are some incredibly helpful, interesting, supportive, and entertaining websites and chat rooms out there in cyber space. When all else fails and you find it difficult to find local parents in similar situations, turning to the internet can be your lifeline. I hope you take the time to connect with other people, via the web or a support group in your area. I helped start a support group (Food Allergy Support Group of Whatcom County--an AAFA "FEAST" group) for parents of children with food allergies here in Bellingham, Washington. I cannot tell you how valuable I find our group. The ability to sit down, take a deep breath, and really connect with someone else that is in my same shoes is incredibly energizing, empowering, and supportive. We prepared business cards advertising our group for the local allergy clinics, so we can be the starting point for the parents of newly diagnosed children with food allergies.

The web offers such a good opportunity to find other parents of children with the same food allergies. Good luck making good connections!

Here are my top internet picks:

Support groups:

http://kidswithfoodallergies.org/eve ("POFAK" Parents of Food Allergic Kids)

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WA_FEAST/ (support groups!)

www.foodallergytalk.com A treasure trove of information, support, and "talk."

www.seattlefoodallergy.org

Recipes/connections/organizations:

www.foodallergy.org (FAAN: The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network)

www.foodyoucaneat.com

www.aafa.org (Allergy & Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics/& FEAST (food education allergy support team groups) or ESG (educational support groups).

http://www.aaaai.org/ (American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology)

http://www.acaai.org/ (American College of Allergy Asthma & Immunology)

Information websites:

http://www.foodsubs.com/ (This is The Cook's Thesaurus--great food substitute information.)

www.godairyfree.org (The ultimate online resource for dairy-free living.)

www.avoidingmilkprotein.com (Tips on cooking and living without milk/updated.)

http://www.anaphylaxis.org/

www.foodallergy.org (FAAN: The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network)

Special Occasion "safe" Chocolates (pass this link on to grandma!):

http://www.amandasown.com/index.html

Ask an expert:

http://www.intelihealth.com/ (John Hopkins Intelihealth/search on site for the "Ask.." section)

Products for families with food allergies:

www.checkmytag.com This mom created a line of clothing
specifically designed as a medical alert system for children under the
age of five. (Refer to the HOW IT WORKS link on website.)

www.allergyfreepassport.com Their mission is to empower individuals with food allergies and specialized diets to safely dine outside the home, travel and explore the world. What a great idea and resource!

We do not eat out very often (because of my fears of cross-contamination), but you might find the following information valuable--

Fast Food ingredient/allergen information:

http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/eat/nutrition_info.html

http://www.bk.com/#menu=3,2,-1

http://www.arbys.com/nutrition/calculator.php?mid=1&type=allergens

http://www.dennys.com/en/cms/Nutrition/Allergens/23.html

http://www.jackinthebox.com/

http://subway.com/subwayroot/MenuNutrition/Nutrition/pdf/AllergenChart.pdf

http://www.wendys.com/food/NutritionLanding.jsp

http://www.yum.com/nutrition/allergen/allergen_kfc.asp (Kentucky Fried Chicken)

Thanks a  bunch. You appear to have really done your homework and I think it fantastic that you have shared it.

Thanks, Pegeen K

Leighton, 2 years, 2000

Evan, 4 years, 2003

Leighton, 4 years, 2002

Leighton (6 1/2 yrs.), Theresa (??), Evan(5 yrs): December, 2004