The Parent's Guide to Food Allergies: Clear and Complete Advice from the Experts on Raising Your Food-Allergic Child

asked by anton584 on November 15, 2006 2:41 AM

Few things are scarier than witnessing a child having an allergic reaction, whether it manifests itself as wheezing or life-threatening anaphylaxis. Parents will do anything to avoid having their child suffer such a reaction again, but treading the line between being prepared and being paranoid can be tricky. The Parent's Guide to Food Allergies was written by a team of people who shared their expertise from the medical lab and the kitchen; two M.D.s and one Ph.D. collaborated with author Marianne Barber, the mother of a food-allergic son, who writes with a personal slant so often absent from medical guides. Barber understands the daily coping skills that are needed when living with an allergic child, from banning particular foods entirely to reading ingredient labels.

Especially common allergens like peanuts, wheat, and eggs merit separate chapters, while other foods are treated more generally. Each of the food-specific chapters includes a list of ways that the ingredients can "hide" in processed foods. Once you learn that milk also goes by hydrolysate, and that one of wheat's many aliases is seitan, you'll realize the importance of careful reading. The chapter titled "Hidden Allergens" expands on this theme, and while Barber does an excellent job of detailing the possible hiding places, she says, "careful labeling is well and good, but it doesn't eliminate the need for a judgment call on your part." There's also a chapter on anaphylaxis, in which the realities of living with Epi-pens and liquid antihistamines are faced in a kind, straightforward manner. A special recipe section includes enjoyable treats for the whole family that are baked with wheat-free flour, milk-free margarine, and applesauce instead of eggs. (The spice cake with fresh fruit is a delicious treat.)

At once gentle and authoritative, Barber's book is an excellent guide through the maze of childhood allergies. --Jill Lightner

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Reviews

I bought the book immediately after finding out that my daughter was allergic to milk. This book has offered a great deal of information regarding food allergies and how to deal with them when your child has one or more. It has also provided me some comfort, partly by educating me on the topic and partly by letting me know that others deal with the same fears and emotions that I am going through. Having a child with a life threatening condition such as this is so scary and stressful, but this book helps you to deal with that by giving you useful information and tips that have been used by the author in her own struggles with food allergic children.

reviewed by casurf on November 20, 2006 2:37 PM

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My son has 11 food allergies and when I left his doctors office I didn't know what I was going to do. I bought this book after reading some of the reviews. I read the whole book within a couple of nights. Marianne's writing is like she talking with you and not lecturing. Her topics are easy to understand and gave me confidence that I could do this. The suggestions she gives are do able and since she has also has a child with allegies she gives suggestions and not a list of what to worry about like I received at the docotors office. I have recommended this book to the women in our support group, thanks to Marianna I now belong to.

reviewed by bricktop on November 23, 2006 7:25 PM

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This book provided a lot of useful information and ideas for dealing with my sons recently diagnosed food allergies. Written by a mom whose son has several serious allergies, it has a empathic and understanding tone.

reviewed by trailrider on November 24, 2006 12:51 AM

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I have a son who has chronic ezcema and food allergies. I have been to several allergists (and am still searching for the perfect one) and none of them has been as much help to me yet as this book. I went into food allergies knowing something but not enough, as I quickly and clearly learned from the book. I was able to stock my kitchen, pack my diaper bag, and feel prepared when ordering out because of the help I got here.

The author is both clear and down-to-earth, skipping the "over medical" lingo and speaking real, clear language to mothers (and fathers) who have children with food allergies. She empathizes with the situation you are in, and also addresses the SEVERITY food allergies have and helps you take the right precaution when eating out.

I HIGHLY recommend this book as a starting point and launching pad for any mother who suspects or knows food allergies might be a problem for thier child. Please read this and don't get scared, get prepared !!!! It helped me take on this challenge I have as a mother of a child with such a life altering condition.

reviewed by ibook on November 25, 2006 6:36 PM

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