#4: Overcoming People Pleasing + the Chung Family’s Story
On this episode I am talking with Ina Chung, also known as The Asian Allergy Mom on Instagram. Ina is Korean American and has a daughter with multiple food allergies. She is passionate about sharing safe foods from her heritage cuisine in order to help expand menu variety in food allergy families.
In addition to sharing her family’s journey with food allergies, Ina shares her experience with addressing people pleasing tendencies and strategies to help politely advocate for kids with food allergies. And now, let’s talk food allergies!
In this episode of Let’s Talk Food Allergies:
When a child fails a oral food challenge, at least the family knows that they are truly allergic. Knowledge can be empowering.
Use developmentally-appropriate strategies to explain food allergies to siblings without allergies. For example, “Your sister has something called allergies. If she eats these things or something with these things in it, then she could get very, very sick and have to go to the hospital.” With anxious kids, describing anaphylactic reactions in detail may not be productive or helpful.
Families can also explain food allergies while shopping at the grocery store. This can start immediately with infants, simply by narrating the allergy decision making process. For example, “This food looks really good. Let’s check the label! Oh, it has your allergens, we have to put it back. Let’s find something that is safe for you.”
Ina’s suggestions for addressing people pleasing tendencies and learning how to politely advocate for kids with food allergies:
Stand firm in knowing what you need to do to care for your food allergy child, and do it - regardless of how other people will be affected. Continually remind yourself this and prepare for the next situation.
Practice imagining how you will feel in a certain situation (like your child having an anaphylactic reaction) and acknowledge that you will feel like that. Mentally prepare for how you will need to act in that situation in order to keep your child safe.
Ina’s mantra: “I know how to keep my child safe.”
Connect with Ina:
Ina’s recipe for Show-stopping Braised Short Ribs, in addition to many other allergy-friendly Korean recipes, can be found on her blog, The Asian Allergy Mom.
Instagram: @theasianallergymom
Website: www.theasianallergymom.com
Food Allergy Resources mentioned in this episode:
National Jewish Health Food Allergy Program (Pediatric) in Denver, Colorado
Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE): www.foodallergy.org
Dr. Dave Stukis on Instagram @allergykidsdoc
The Food Allergy Moms on Instagram @thefoodallergymoms or blog at foodallergymom.com.
Connect with Lisa:
Instagram: @beafoodallergyhelper or @allergy.friendly.nutrition
Facebook: Lisa Woodruff Nutrition, LLC
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.
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
