Did you know 1 out of every 25 kids has a food allergy? It is a growing problem, but what is it like for the children actually living with this issue? In this video, kids speak candidly about living with food allergies and what they wish we knew.
Alexander plays football and rides his bike like many others his age. Katie is on a swim team. Her favorite stroke? The butterfly. Ben likes to play hockey and soccer. James also plays hockey and soccer. Jackie likes dancing. Holly is a cheerleader. Simon plays with legos. Alex volunteers at an animal shelter.
Peanuts, Dairy, Wheat, Gluten, Eggs…One of these children is allergic to all of these!
90% of Food Allergies Are Due to The Same 8 Foods
- Milk
- Egg
- Peanut
- Tree Nut
- Wheat
- Soy
- Fish
- Shellfish
Symptoms of Food Allergies and Their Reactions
- Vomiting
- Swelling of The Face and Lips
- Difficulty Breathing
- Coughing
- Sneezing and Watery Eyes
- Skin That’s Bumpy, Red, and Itchy
Here are stories of the daily struggle these kids experience with food allergies…
“It’s kind of, sometimes, discouraging because you can’t have much things that you actually would like to eat.”
“Living with food allergies can kind of be scary.”
“Sometimes I can’t go to certain restaurants, or do stuff with my friends that I want to do, cause of my allergies.”
It’s a life of constantly carrying Benedryl and EpiPens, reading ingredient lists, and avoiding certain areas at home and school.
What I Wish You Knew About My Food Allergies
Traveling, Birthday Parties, Baseball Games, and Halloween can all become scary when you have food allergies. Teaching awareness and understanding of food allergies can go a long way in helping children, with this issue, feel safer.
Teaching kids how to protect their friends with food allergies:
Protect A Life From Food Allergies- Be A Pal
- Never take food allergies lightly.
- Don’t share food with friends who have food allergies.
- Wash hands after eating.
- Ask your friends what they are allergic to and help them avoid it.
- If a friend who has allergies becomes ill, get help immediately.
Leave a Reply