Chapter 2: Teaching Others About Your Child’s Food Allergies
Expect disbelief • How to teach others to recognize and treat allergic reactions • When others don’t take you seriously • Do not endanger your child

Chapter 3: Grocery Shopping
Know what ingredients to avoid • Always read the ingredient statement • Ingredients to watch out for • Ingredients of non-food items • The problem of food cross-contamination • “May Contain” warnings • Calling the product’s manufacturer • Foods with high risk of cross-contamination • Kosher labeling and dairy allergies • Going to the grocery store

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.Chapter 4: Food In Your Home
Make your home a "safe haven" • Introducing new products to your child • Children often refuse to eat allergenic foods • Always have a supply of “safe” food available • If you keep both “safe” and “unsafe” foods in your home • Unexpected food ingredients in non-food items

Chapter 5: Cooking
Menu planning • Avoiding cross-contamination • Serving peanut butter in the home of a peanut-allergic child • Cooking with dairy-free margarine • Substitutions for wheat flour and egg • Why you should teach others how to prepare food for your child

Chapter 6: Parenting
Emotions • Get involved • Toddlers • Teaching your young child about food allergies • Teaching an older child about food allergies • Working with your teen or pre-teen • Other family members • Hiring a babysitter • Food allergies and holiday celebrations

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Chapter 7: Socializing
Having guests visit your home – maintaining your home as a “safe haven” • Your child’s birthday parties • Socializing outside of your home – working with your hosts to create a safe environment • Other children’s birthday parties • Children’s play dates • Emotional issues

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Chapter 8: Outings General things to keep in mind • Parks and playgrounds • Play areas at fast food restaurants • Movie theatres • Amusement parks • Museums and aquariums • Ball games Chapter 9: Restaurants Don’t assume a restaurant will be able to accommodate you • Avoid busy times and holidays • High-risk situations • Assess your child’s situation • Questions to ask the manager or chef • Always inquire about ingredients • Avoid mix-ups and mistakes • When in doubt, spit it out • Bringing food from home • Dealing with contact sensitivity issues Click Here to view a sample page from this chapter

Chapter 10: Travel
Things to pack when you travel • Traveling with others • Traveling to rural or foreign areas • Eating while traveling – bringing food; dining out; preparing food in standard hotel room; staying in a room with a kitchen • Staying with friends or relatives • Other vacation options – recreational vehicles; cruises • Air travel in general – what to bring; what to wear; what flight to book; where to sit; what to do if your child has a reaction • Air travel for the peanut allergic – advance planning to minimize risks; removing peanut residue from your child’s seat area

Chapter 11: Preschool
Finding an appropriate preschool for your child – getting organized; what to look for; issues to address when speaking to school directors • What your child will eat while at school • When parents take turn bringing snacks • Food allergy books and videos for preschoolers

Chapter 12: School and Day Care
Before- and after-school daycare • Your child’s legal rights • Talk to school personnel in advance of the school year – preparing for the meeting; detailed checklist of things to address • Options for creating a safe lunch environment • Helping the school personnel to create a safe and healthy environment for your child – communication; involvement; your child’s responsibilities; emergency preparation; and more • Older children • Teasing • Carpools • College

Chapter 13: Extracurricular Activities
Teach the adults in charge about your child’s food allergies • You may need to be present • Children’s sports teams • Scouting • Day camps • Sleepover camps and overnight school trips

Chapter 14: Miscellaneous Medical Issues
Don’t do allergy testing at home • Dentists • Flu shots • Medications • General anesthetics • Hospitalization • Doctors – red flags • “Miracle cures”

Chapter 15: Food Allergy Support Groups
Support group structure • Support group social events – parties, baked goods exchanges, other activities • Compare pantry contents • Children’s group therapy sessions • Starting and running a support group

Appendices
Resources • Sample food allergy action plan form • “How to read a label” information • Sample letters from your doctor to carry when traveling • Sample restaurant card • Sample authorization for consent to emergency medical treatment form • Sample letter from the school principal • Sample allergy button artwork • Sample support group announcement flyer • “Script” for contacting food manufacturers • “Script” for calling the rescue squad • Recipe for wheat-free play dough

Index