Teen Tips for Summer

Traveling With Allergies

Celia, High School (10th grade)

Summer is here, and most people are on summer break right now. So, this is the time where people are preparing for taking long trips to other towns, states, or even countries. As someone who travels to different places each summer, I have many tips that either me or my parents help carry out in order to keep myself safe. Here are some of those!

Airplanes: Most airlines no longer serve many snacks associated with allergies such as peanuts, but can not guarantee that passengers won’t bring their own. It is best to discuss with people sitting around you on what your allergies are to make sure they are cautious of what they are eating, and request pre-boarding to wipe down your seat. You can also browse snacks provided by an airline, not only to minimize unsafe options, but possibly find an option for yourself rather than having to bring your own food. If your allergies are too severe, you could also take road trips to places within a reasonable distance to still have a fun time without having anxiety or a reaction on the plane.

Eating Out: Now the big issue: how do you get food once you get there? Of course, if you have a lot of allergies and issues with cross contact, it is safest to purchase food at a grocery store. BUT, there are many ways with just a few allergies or low IgE allergies to be able to eat out! However, do your research. For example, if you do react through cross contact and have an allergy to dairy, research completely vegan restaurants and ask your family to bring you there! Or if you have a dairy allergy but can deal with a kitchen that has dairy, find a restaurant with a separate fryer/counter for the dairy-free items. That second option ONLY works for those who can handle the particles in the air while still making sure you don’t get any actual pieces of items with dairy. Make sure that if you do go out anywhere, even if you think the option is safe, you ask what they use for oil or butter. To demonstrate, I have dairy, egg, and nut allergies. I would find a vegan restaurant, ask if they use any nut oils, and ask if their vegan cheese has any nuts, either over the phone or at the restaurant. Or, I would find a regular place and substitute things I couldn’t have off my order while also making sure they don’t have a shared fryer (as I don’t react to particles in the air).

Eating in: Let’s say on your trip that you’re going to see a family that doesn’t really understand your allergies or you’re going to a birthday party where there aren’t any options. The best thing to do, as well as with really anything else, is communicate. Try to explain to your friends or family ways they can help provide you with an option, or request to bring something that you bought or made yourself that you know is safe.

Overall: Do what you know is safe for you. If these tips reassure you and give you confidence to safely eat out or to go to your grandparents house or take a plane to another country, then I’m so glad. But you know your limits. So don’t push yourself into doing something that is too risky or you feel uncomfortable with. It is always okay to take a road trip and buy your own groceries if that is what you feel comfortable with. Stay safe and always communicate your allergens!

Safe Summer Snacks

Arianna, College (Freshman Year)

Summer is finally here! With all the excitement, fun times with friends, family celebrations, and days lounging at the pool, food is a huge part of the summer. Navigating allergies (either if you have them or know someone with them) while trying to have a great summer can be a little stressful but manageable. The key to working around allergies is to stay positive and proactive! Managing a summer with allergies can be viewed  from various perspectives. Two important ones would be if you have an allergy and the other would be if you know and care about someone who has an allergy.

For those of you who have an allergy, here are some tips:

You might ask yourself how you can attend food-centered events, and not feel isolated. A great way to do that would be to offer to bring allergy friendly treats (either ones that you made or bought that are safe to eat) for everyone. That way, you won’t be the only one eating something different and people can enjoy the yummy snacks with you. 

Going out with friends can sometimes feel overwhelming when you have an allergy because a lot of food choices are last-minute. Being open with your friends about your allergy and the places you’re comfortable eating is super helpful. For me, I always tell my friends what places I’m comfortable eating at and they have no problem picking between the options I’ve given them. True friends will always want their friends to feel comfortable and safe!

I have an anaphylactic sesame allergy and I have some favorite sesame free summer treats! I absolutely love fruits like pineapple and watermelon, ice cream is a must, and  I love baked goods, but I either bake my treats at home or I go to an allergy-friendly bakery near me (they do occasionally have sesame bagels, so I like to make sure to check in with them each time I go). 

It’s important to remember what is safest and works best for you!

For those of you who know someone with and allergy or know someone who has a different allergy than you, here are some tips:

If you want to be inclusive to people you know who have allergies, the best thing to do is ask what allergies they have. Make sure that you make the effort of having food available that is safe for them. You can always ask your friend what they are comfortable eating, leave out the ingredients and labels for things you used for the different dishes you made or leave out the snack bags so they can check the ingredients and manufacturing information. 

Something to keep in mind for both groups, is that there are plenty of fun summer activities that aren’t food centered. Some examples are, doing arts and crafts, paddle boarding, and playing sports.

No matter if you have an allergy or wish to be supportive of someone who does have an allergy, remember to give yourself grace and don’t be scared to advocate for yourself. I hope you all have a refreshing and relaxing summer full of fun!

Summer Camp Tips

Kailee, High School (10th Grade)

School’s out and summer is in full swing! While everyone is heading off to various summer camps, it’s important to keep yourself safe along the way. As a three-sport high school athlete who has gone on a cross country-camping trip with my team every year, I’ve picked up a few tips along the way. However, all of these tips are centered around the same idea: having fun does not mean ignoring the precautions needed to stay safe. Check out the three tips below to help you have a fun and safe summer camp experience!

#1 Pack Your Own Snacks

Unless you are attending a designated allergy-friendly camp that can guarantee meals free from your allergens, it is always a good idea to bring your own food. For me, that means packing a container filled with my favorite snacks and pre-made sandwiches so I know I’ll be fed the entire week.

It can also be helpful to keep your food in a designated spot, label it, and let others know which food is yours. This helps prevent people from accidentally eating your safe food. I also bring my own plastic utensils and paper plates to help avoid cross-contact.

#2 Notify Others of Your Allergy

While it can feel intimidating at first, letting others know about your food allergies is one of the best things you can do to stay safe while still having fun. Whether that means telling your camp friends, counselors, and/or coaches of your allergy or even showing them where your emergency medication is stored and how to use it, this simple step can make a huge difference.

For me, this means reminding my coaches and teammates about my allergy, letting them know that my medication is always stored in my Lululemon fanny pack or running belt, and making sure they know how to use my epinephrine in the event of an allergic reaction. The more people who are aware, the safer you can be.

#3 Ask for the Schedule Ahead of Time

As camp approaches, it can be helpful to ask for the schedule if it has not already been provided. Even a quick email to a camp counselor or coach can help you plan ahead and stay safe.

Personally, when cross-country camp is coming up, I ask my coach for the schedule and, more specifically, what food will be served. This gives me an opportunity to remind them about my peanut allergy and ensure that the families helping provide food are aware as well. Knowing the schedule also helps me determine what meals I may need to pack and what supplies I should bring, making the entire trip easier to prepare for.

I hope these tips help you in some way, shape, or form. Summer is meant to be fun, and having food allergies should not stop you from enjoying everything camp has to offer. While staying safe is important, it’s also important to remember that your food allergies do not define you. Summer camp has been one of the highlights of my life, and these tips simply serve as tools to help you stay safe, confident, and ready to enjoy all the fun summer has in store!