Unless you live with food allergies or care for someone who does, it’s easy to underestimate how much dietary restrictions affect daily life. As a registered dietitian who manages my own food allergies, I want to share my experiences, practical tips, and insights to raise awareness during Food Allergy Awareness Month.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by SunButter; as always, opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that make CitNutritionally.com possible.
Just this past weekend I was doing my usual Sunday prep and planning breakfasts for the week — overnight chia oats were on the menu. I opened a new bag of chia seeds and immediately noticed something off: visible sesame seeds mixed in. I tossed the bag and my measuring spoon went straight into the dishwasher. I felt annoyed and frustrated. That momentary loss of safety at home—caused by poor packaging or cross-contact and no warning label—is unnerving.
I’m one of roughly 15 million people in the United States living with life-threatening food allergies, including my severe allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and sesame. Food is essential to life, so we don’t have the luxury of ignoring these risks; we must learn to navigate the world carefully.
Living with Food Allergies Is Doable
Yes, it requires vigilance, detective work, and advocacy. It can be scary and inconvenient at times, but with knowledge and preparation it doesn’t have to limit a healthy, happy life. I’m proof that you can live fully while managing serious allergies.
My Food Allergy Diagnosis
I’m fortunate that my allergies developed early. At age three I ate a cookie at a family party and developed hives and intense itching. My uncle, a pediatrician, gave me Benadryl from his emergency kit and I was referred to an allergist. From that moment my family adjusted: peanut butter sandwiches were no longer a casual option and outings required careful planning. We became a nut-free household, which kept me safe and made daily life feel secure.
Growing up, my parents explained allergies simply and consistently — telling me certain foods could “hurt” me. That clear, calm message helped me understand boundaries without fear. As a dietitian now, I recommend age-appropriate explanations that empower children to protect their own health.
Embracing My Allergies
While allergies made some things different, my parents normalized them so I didn’t feel deprived. There were small reminders: a packed cupcake for parties, extra snacks for school trips, and my mom’s concern about college roommates eating peanut butter. Thorough label reading became routine — perhaps one reason I became a dietitian.
Kids with food allergies are at higher risk of being bullied, so it’s important families and communities support children and help them embrace their differences. For me, leaning into my allergy identity made it manageable. I even had a playful bat mitzvah theme that acknowledged my allergy while celebrating who I am.
Trust and the Reality of Risk
Living with allergies teaches you to be cautious and, yes, to have trust issues about food prepared by others. Every restaurant meal, packed snack, or plane ride requires a degree of faith that ingredients and handling were safe. Sometimes that trust is broken.
On my honeymoon, I ordered a meal at a restaurant after disclosing my allergies. Two bites in I felt profoundly unwell — a sensation like blood draining and intense heart palpitations. My throat didn’t close and I didn’t have hives, but I knew something was wrong. I took Benadryl, got help from hotel staff, and ended up in the ER for observation. Tests were normal and my symptoms resolved, but the fear and uncertainty were intense.
That incident reminded me how unpredictable reactions can be—and how essential it is to always carry epinephrine. Allergic reactions send someone to the emergency room every few minutes, and timely treatment saves lives.
Life-Saving Fact: ALWAYS carry your life-saving epinephrine!
Moving Forward
Situations like the restaurant scare reinforce why those of us with food allergies stay vigilant. I became even more careful afterward, despite already being cautious as a dietitian. Still, there’s good news: more restaurants, bakeries, and brands are making efforts to reduce risk and be allergy-friendly.
During Food Allergy Awareness Month I’m grateful to partner with companies that support safety for allergy sufferers, helping make everyday life a bit easier. No one should have to feel unsafe when eating.
If you live with food allergies, I’d love to hear how you manage them and what strategies help you feel safe.
XO