#2: Advocating for Food Allergies + the Holl Family’s Story

On this episode I am talking with Katie Holl, author of the children’s book Charlie Learns About Her Food Allergies. Katie is a mom to not one, but three children with multiple food allergies.  

In addition to sharing her family’s journey with food allergies, Katie offers suggestions and resources for parents and individuals that want to get involved with food allergy advocacy. And now, let’s talk food allergies!

In this episode of Let’s Talk Food Allergies:

• Food plays a huge role in our culture; it gives us feelings like happiness and comfort and plays a role in memory and community. As a food allergy family, we may need to readjust our focus on the event itself instead of the food.

• Look for the blessings in disguise that come with food allergies. In the past nine years, there have been so many more allergy-friendly alternatives, especially for those with milk allergy.

• There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to managing allergens within a household. It’s up to whatever makes you feel comfortable and works well for your family. Every situation is a little different. Katie keeps allergens in the house but stores them up high where her kids can’t get to them. Anything that is within their reach is safe for all of her kids to eat.

• You can’t make a child eat something they don’t want to. It is important to involve children in the decision making process when it comes to oral food challenges in order to get their consent to participate. They need to understand the benefits and be willing to commit to eating the food on a regular basis.

• Katie’s suggestions for getting started with food allergy advocacy:

  • It’s okay to wait until comfortable with managing the food allergies in your home. It may even take years to get to that point.

  • You don’t need to recreate the wheel when looking for ways to advocate for food allergies.

  • Find something that is the right fit for your passion and skill set.

Connect with Katie:

Katie’s first book, Charlie Learns About Her Food Allergies is available online through her website at www.katiehollcreative.com/shop.

• Instagram: @katiehollcreative

• Facebook: Katie Holl Creative

• Website: www.katiehollcreative.com

Food Allergy Resources mentioned in this episode:

• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease: 2017 Addendum Guidelines for the Prevention of Peanut Allergy in the United States

• Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE): New to Food Allergies: Where to Start

• Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE): Facts and Statistics

• Red Sneakers for Oakley: Red sneakers for food allergy awareness

• Elijah-Alavi Foundation: Nationwide food allergy & asthma resources for schools in every neighborhood

• The Teal Pumpkin Project

• How to Donate a Food Allergy Children’s Book to a Library

Connect with Lisa:

• Instagram: @beafoodallergyhelper or @allergy.friendly.nutrition

• Facebook: Lisa Woodruff Nutrition, LLC

• Blog: Small Steps towards Joyful Eating with Food Allergies

• Private Practice: Nutrition Counseling for Food Allergies

Lisa’s first children’s book, Be a Food Allergy Helper! is available online wherever books are sold. Learn more at lisawoodruffnutrition.com/books.

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Disclaimer: This conversation, and podcast in general, is provided for general information purposes only; it is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. As always, individuals with food allergies should consult with their healthcare team to create an individualized Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan.

Special thanks for assistance with this podcast:

• Music: Collin Braley

• Cover art: Olive Phan @yazziewonphon

• Photography: Chris Woodruff @chr1spwood

Copyright (C) 2022 Lisa Woodruff Nutrition