Seven Things to Do for Food Allergy and Intolerance Awareness Week

January 23-29, 2012 is Food Allergy and Intolerance Week (not to be confused with FAAN's Food Allergy Awareness Week, scheduled May 13-19, 2012). Many people say they have a food allergy when they actually have a much more common condition- a food intolerance. Here is a list of seven things to do this week to learn more about the differences between food allergy and food intolerance:

Monday, January 23- Check out this quiz to see what you know about the differences between food allergy and food intolerances.
Tuesday, January 24- Watch this HealthWatch MD video. Send the video to someone you think may benefit from learning more.
Wednesday, January 25- Take a look at Living Without, the magazine for people with food allergies and intolerances.
Thursday, January 26- Catch the Food Allergy Blog Carnival at The Allergic Kid.
Friday, January 27- Learn more about lactose intolerance, which is something many people refer to as a food allergy.
Saturday, January 28- Read the Food Allergy and Intolerances Resource List for Consumers.
Sunday, January 29- Seek support if you need it. FAAN offers a support group look-up tool and the Food Intolerance Network has a list of free e-mail support groups.

Invest some time this week educating yourself and others on the topics of food allergy and intolerances.

Have a great week!

Food Allergy Support Groups

I'm a big fan of face to face support groups when you're dealing every day with an issue like food allergies. I met another mom in Baltimore at FAAN's (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network) annual conference in 2001 when I attended the first time. At the conference, lunch seating is arranged by zip codes so that people can meet others who live close by. We began talking and decided to start a support group. We had 4-6 people who regularly met once a month to swap recipes, talk about safe foods and to provide general support for one another. That group has since dis-banded, but the friendships and help were invaluable to me at the time. My allergist office also ran a monthly support group with the doctor sitting in to answer questions.

If you are interested in a support group, Linda Coss has the most extensive state-by-state list I've seen. Check it out here. If you can't find a group in your area, ask your allergist if they run a group or know a local group. If you're having trouble finding a group, start your own. See if your doctor or local library will let you post a sign. If you have any questions or need help starting a group where you live, let me know .