Cheryl Marks Young
Food Allergies by the Numbers
There’s a line forming behind you at the ice cream truck. Children are clutching their dollars waiting to make their selections of scrumptious treats. Adults are eyeballing the visual menu, their mouths watering as they recall the way those cold goodies are intertwined with their youth. You, meanwhile, are patiently scanning labels trying to ascertain whether the Spiderman pop with the bubblegum eyes is safe for your daughter or if your son can indeed enjoy the strawberry shortcake ice cream bar. In that moment, you may feel like you’re the only one on the block who can’t just grab and...
Cheryl Marks Young
Summer Fun and Food Allergies
Temperatures are rising. The focus is shifting from homework and schoolyear activities to summer camps and get-togethers. There are barbecues and pool parties. There are trips to the beach and the lake. There are outdoor events and amusement parks to visit. Summer is upon us and you’re busy figuring out how to fill (but not overfill) those balmy days. If you’re an allergy parent (or an allergic individual yourself), summer fun, like everything else, has an added set of hurdles for you to clear. Pour yourself a tall glass of something iced and allergy-friendly and let’s walk through a summer...
Cheryl Marks Young
Understanding Food Allergies for Food Allergy Awareness Week
It’s Food Allergy Awareness Week, which means many people are learning for the first time about the widespread issues of food allergies, and the struggles many with these allergies face. More than 15 million people in the United States have food allergies, and 6 million of them are children. But for those without these allergies, it’s important to understand what you can do to be sensitive to individuals who must deal with them. Food Allergy Awareness Week is the perfect opportunity to learn more about how to best support those with food allergies, whether they be family, friends, coworkers, or...
Cheryl Marks Young
Just in Time for Food Allergy Awareness Week: 5 Easy Way to Raise Food Allergy Awareness
Living with food allergies can often feel isolating. Whether you’re passing on a social outing that will be hard to navigate or you’re putting in extra time to figure the logistics of getting your child safely through summer camp, food-allergy families often face added challenges when it comes to every day living. If you’re among those who live this life, you’re absolutely not alone. In fact, you’re part of a group of 32 million Americans. That’s right. You’re part of a group that’s much too big and getting bigger and this is the perfect time to raise awareness about it....