Alyssa
Hi! I’m Alyssa and my mom is Joyce. I live in Chicago and my mom lives in my hometown of Metro Detroit. I manage a peanut allergy. My mom’s approach to being a food allergy mom is: encouraging, supportive, and devoted. She always says: “Ziplocks—you can never have too many Ziplocks!”
More of a cook or baker? What’s her specialty in the kitchen? She’s a shopper! If it exists, she’ll find it. Her specialty is brownie sundae mugs—a dessert staple in our house!
Was there any food allergy find your mom was able to scoop that allowed you to have something you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to eat safely? Every Halloween when my brother and I came home from trick-or-treating, my mom would exchange all of our unsafe candies with our favorite safe candies that she had waiting for us—usually Dots for me. All of the unsafe candies got sent with my dad to work, so everybody won!
Anything your mom did that helped you feel included? There are too many to count, but here are a few that stick out from elementary school: (1) My mom volunteered to chaperone all of the school field trips growing up to ensure that I felt safe attending the events. (2) Whenever the cafeteria was serving fish sticks, she took me out to lunch at McDonald’s because she knew I couldn’t stand the smell. (3) She sent me to school with pretty placemats to eat my lunch on so I didn’t have to worry about cleaning off the tables.
What’s the most ‘extra’ thing your mom has done to keep you safe? She came along on a work trip with me once in college because I was too afraid to fly across the country alone. We had an amazing trip together!
Any memorable way your mom taught you how to advocate for yourself? My mom is the biggest supporter of all things allergies! Whether it’s reposting my content on her social media, helping stage my content creation, or sending me relevant articles she comes across online, she is so proud of how I am using my voice to help others.
Favorite safe restaurant you and your mom enjoy eating at? 3 Arts Club Café at Restoration Hardware in Chicago—I love the food, and she’s there for the ambiance!
Who’s the first to mention your allergies to the waiter—you or your mom? Me—she taught me well!
A dream Mother’s Day for your mom? A day with the family in Disney’s Epcot—eating lunch at the French Pavilion bakery and riding Living with the Land! Bonus points if it’s during the International Flower & Garden Festival.
Carlin
Hi! I’m Carlin, I live in Boston, and I’m allergic to peanuts and shrimp (and growing up I had dairy, tree nut, and sesame allergies)! My mom’s name is Dawn and we live in the same town. To describe my mom’s approach to being a food allergy mom, she’s protective, optimistic, and solution-oriented—she thinks everything is figure-out-able!
More of a cook or baker? What’s her specialty in the kitchen? She’s more of a cook. She’s the queen of appetizers—for every family holiday or party she hosts, she has the most fun hors d’oeuvres spread!
Was there any food allergy find that your mom was able to scoop that allowed you to have something otherwise wouldn’t have been safe? She discovered that Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup was dairy and nut-free, so whenever we would have s’mores (which was weirdly more often than you’d think haha), she’d bring that as a chocolate replacement!
Anything your mom did that helped you feel included? So many things—she never wanted me to feel like I couldn’t do something because of my allergies. One memorable example was when she found a local pizza place that made dairy-free pizza, so whenever pizza was served at a birthday party, I could have my own special pizza and feel like I was eating the same thing as everyone else.
What’s the most ‘extra’ thing your mom has done to keep you safe? In my second-grade class, she teamed up with another allergy mom to provide snacks for our classroom, so we could have a nut-free classroom and eat the same snacks as everyone else.
Any memorable way your mom taught you how to advocate for yourself? I always ordered for myself at every restaurant we went to from a really young age, so I’ve always known how to explain my allergies and share them with a server.
Favorite safe restaurant you and your mom enjoy eating at? Dovetail in Charlestown.
Who’s the first to mention your allergies to the waiter—you or your mom? Totally depends but usually me!
A dream Mother’s Day for your mom? I think she would love a spa day getaway!
Kelsey
Hi! I’m Kelsey and my mom’s name is Barrie. I live in New York City and my mom lives nearby in the suburbs. I manage peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, gluten, soy, crustaceans, kiwi, banana, and OAS. My mom’s approach to being a food allergy mom is: fierce, supportive, and empowering. She always says, “Everybody has their thing—this is just yours.”
The strong meaning behind this is that every person has their own struggles in life; food allergies are mine. You don’t get to pity yourself because of this diagnosis, but you can use it to become stronger as a person and more understanding of the battles others might be managing.
More of a cook or baker? What’s her specialty in the kitchen? She is a phenomenal cook overall. We’ve invented so many dishes over the years. My favorite of hers is her chicken tagine or her “unstuffed” cabbage!
Was there any food allergy find your mom was able to scoop that allowed you to have something you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to eat safely? When I was younger, my mom used to have a “Kelsey-friendly” bin in the pantry that was filled with snacks I could take to school and parties. This way, I always had a comparable treat! It was a safe way of making me feel included.
Anything your mom did that helped you feel included? To this day, my mom still cooks in her home to accommodate my diet. (I just turned 30 and haven’t lived at home since high school.) She does have cheese as an add-on and almond milk in the fridge for coffee, but when I visit, there’s always food in the fridge I can eat and leftovers in the freezer I can bring home. If I’m sick or need an emergency meal, I get to defrost the little meals my mom sent me home with—always cooked with love!
What’s the most ‘extra’ thing your mom has done to keep you safe? In elementary school, my mom fought hard to have a “peanut-free” table created in the school cafeteria. This was before people were really aware of food allergies, and it was very challenging to get started. The school nurse she worked with to make it happen ended up winning Nurse of the Year for her work in allergy advocacy!
Any memorable way your mom taught you how to advocate for yourself? Self-advocacy was ingrained in me from when I was first diagnosed at age 2. Both of my parents thought it was important for me to speak for myself at restaurants and carry my own medical supplies. I took great pride and ownership of this at a very young age. I’m naturally a bit shy, but this helped me overcome that early on!
Favorite safe restaurant you and your mom enjoy eating at? Friedman’s (check my reviews on Spokin!).
Who’s the first to mention your allergies to the waiter—you or your mom? Me!
A dream Mother’s Day for your mom? A fun and relaxed day with my family—make pancakes, go hiking, and open some yummy wine!
Lizzie
Hi! I’m Lizzie and my mom’s name is Linda. I live in Washington, D.C., and my mom lives in New Jersey. I manage peanut allergies (and previously tree nuts and shellfish). My mom’s approach to being a food allergy mom is: inclusive, empathetic, and educated. She always says: “No label, no thank you!”
More of a cook or baker? What’s her specialty in the kitchen? Both. Not the most complicated thing she makes, but she’d roll Pillsbury holiday cookies in different colored sprinkles, which my friends always thought was so cool!
Was there any food allergy find your mom was able to scoop that allowed you to have something you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to eat safely? Hersheyettes instead of M&Ms!
Anything your mom did that helped you feel included? She let me buy the most fun purses to keep my EpiPens in starting in kindergarten. One was shaped like a pink dog!
What’s the most ‘extra’ thing your mom has done to keep you safe? Be class mom almost every year!
Any memorable way your mom taught you how to advocate for yourself? The constant reminder that I am always in control and that it’s not rude to take care of myself.
Favorite safe restaurant you and your mom enjoy eating at? Sweet Basil’s Café in Livingston, NJ!
Who’s the first to mention your allergies to the waiter—you or your mom? Me now, because my mom taught me how!
A dream Mother’s Day for your mom? The whole day together watching Food Network, shopping, getting our nails done, eating snacks, drinking wine, and just being together. I love you so much, Mom!
Lindiwe
I’m Lindiwe and my mom is Partricia. I live in London, and so does my mom. I manage peanut, tree nut, sesame, lentil, chickpea, pea, bean, kiwi, pineapple, shellfish, and horse allergies. My mom’s approach to being a food allergy mom is: brave, empowering, and compassionate—she always says, “Life is to be lived, even with the risks.”
More of a cook or baker? What’s her specialty in the kitchen? She’s more of a cook. She has always made me allergy-safe Indian food. She spent a lot of time in India, and Indian restaurants are generally not safe for my allergies, so she would always make me her favorites that were safe for me.
Was there any food allergy find your mom was able to scoop that allowed you to have something you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to eat safely? I always remember sushi. It’s very hard with my sesame allergy, and she would go to the local sushi place and ask if they could clean their kitchen to make me my sashimi. It was my favorite treat. We didn’t have many allergy products when I was young, but now she will go out of her way to find them all over the world and gift them to me.
Anything your mom did that helped you feel included? EVERYTHING. There are so many little things that mums do that their children have no idea about. I didn’t really feel excluded at parties when I was younger because she did 10,000 things to make it seamless for me.
What’s the most ‘extra’ thing your mom has done to keep you safe? She uses her lawyer tone. If I have ever come up against people who don’t care or who don’t understand and I feel like I can’t advocate, or if they just aren’t taking it seriously, my mum will bring out her lawyer voice and have a very stern word and basically say the dreaded thing that I hate to say. She’s my superpower. But everything she does is extra and then not. She will always book a hotel with a kitchen, buy new pans, plates, and cutlery on holiday, and make me my favorite meal instead of going out if I’m uncomfortable. Mums will go above and beyond for their child, and it’s all extra when it comes to allergies.
Any memorable way your mom taught you how to advocate for yourself? So many! She taught me about autonomy and that I was in control of what I was in control of. It was really important to her that I didn’t hold myself back but that I knew the risks. I was given a lot of independence from such a young age—she never bubble-wrapped me. It was important to her that I knew what to do if I had a reaction, that I knew what my allergies were and how to tell people from the age at which I could. I knew what hospital to go to, how my EpiPen worked, and her phone number. She would give me role-playing scenarios and scripts for me to learn so I wasn’t caught off guard, and honesty was our communication. She was never mad at me if I told her the truth—it was just a learning opportunity.
Favorite safe restaurant you and your mom enjoy eating at? Côte Brasserie (I know her favorite choice too)!
Who’s the first to mention your allergies to the waiter—you or your mom? Haha, this is such a point in our relationship. For so long, it was her, but once I was older, I made a boundary that I can advocate for myself. Now, it’s whoever is at the restaurant first, but I make it clear that the waiter does not need 20 people telling them I have allergies. Once I start the conversation, it’s only me that needs to deal with it (unless something goes wrong—and then I need my mummy :)).
A dream Mother’s Day for your mom? She loves galleries. I would take her to one and then a glass of prosecco at Côte, followed by dinner and a cake made by me.
Natalie
Hi! I’m Natalie and my mom’s name is Melissa. I live in Annapolis, Maryland (when I’m not in college), and so does my mom. I manage a peanut allergy. My mom’s approach to being a food allergy mom is: proactive, caring, and direct. She always says, “Better safe than sorry.”
More of a cook or baker? What’s her specialty in the kitchen? Baker. She makes the best banana bread ever!!
Was there any food allergy find your mom was able to scoop that allowed you to have something you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to eat safely? Vermont Nut Free Chocolate Skippers—best find yet!
Anything your mom did that helped you feel included? She would call places ahead of time before we went to make sure everything was okay!
What’s the most ‘extra’ thing your mom has done to keep you safe? Always wiping down all the plane seats!
Any memorable way your mom taught you how to advocate for yourself? When I was super young, she would make me ask the waiter about my allergies—and I hated it haha, but now I’m super grateful that I’m not afraid to speak up about my allergy.
Favorite safe restaurant you and your mom enjoy eating at? A bakery called Curate in Annapolis that is peanut-free and has gluten-free goodies for her!
Who’s the first to mention your allergies to the waiter—you or your mom? When I was younger, she would, but now I’m definitely good at advocating for myself.
A dream Mother’s Day for your mom? Me and my brothers clean the house (lol), and she goes to a spa.
Natalie
Hi! I’m Natalie and my mom’s name is Susie. I live in Chicago and so does my mom. I used to be allergic to peanuts and all tree nuts, but now I’m allergic to peanuts, pistachios, cashews, and Brazil nuts. My mom’s approach to being a food allergy mom is: educated, caring, and resourceful. My mom likes to say, “Anything is possible,” in a very positive way, of course. She believes in trying new things and going to new places, so teaching me how to be safe and thoughtful in approaching new environments and new foods has always been her main goal!
More of a cook or baker? What’s her specialty in the kitchen? Baker. My mom makes a banging coffee cake—no nuts in sight, and always delicious.
Was there any food allergy find your mom was able to scoop that allowed you to have something you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to eat safely? When I was younger and couldn’t even touch foods with “made in the same facility” warnings, my mom found Smarties (the UK version of M&Ms) for me to try. While I can have M&Ms now, that kind of dedication to introducing me to as many things as I could safely try has always been a testament to her love.
Anything your mom did that helped you feel included? I used to hate the “peanut-free table.” I was often the only one sitting at it, and most of the time I was at a camp or in a classroom that didn’t allow nuts to begin with. My mom was always supportive of me eating with my friends like normal and taught me how to pay attention to my surroundings and my friends’ food (no trading!) so I could be safe while feeling included.
What’s the most ‘extra’ thing your mom has done to keep you safe? Ummm… probably the whole company and app she created to help everyone who has or knows someone with food allergies—me included—live a safe and full life!!
Any memorable way your mom taught you how to advocate for yourself? One of my favorite examples of this comes from when I was much younger. I remember my parents smushed into little pink chairs with me at the smallest kiddie table, playing restaurant while my younger sisters were the waitresses and chef. We got to eat some Michelin-star-level plastic food, but more importantly, I learned what to say to a waiter when ordering. I learned when to ask about what kind of oil food was fried in or if any nuts went in the fryer. The phrase I learned then is still the phrase I use today when ordering food for myself.
Favorite safe restaurant you and your mom enjoy eating at? So hard to choose! I may have to go a little out of the box and choose an ice cream shop instead—my mom and I LOVE Jeni’s. They are all over Chicago (and in different cities too). They have a couple of flavors with nuts, but they always use a clean scoop and a fresh bin from the back. Their waffle cones are to die for and are made in-house without nuts.
Who’s the first to mention your allergies to the waiter—you or your mom? Usually me (although she may deny that), but she absolutely loves to jump in and make sure someone says it if I don’t get to it fast enough. I swear sometimes she thinks it’s a race 😉
A dream Mother’s Day for your mom? No matter what, the day MUST start with coffee. She would love a walk on a beach, good food, a little sweet treat, and anything that involves my sisters, our dog, and me! Oh, and my dad is probably there too. As long as she gets quality time and sun, my mom is a happy girl. (But we love to pamper her when possible!)
Olivia
Hi! I’m Olivia and my mom’s name is Kathy. I live in Philadelphia and my mom lives on Long Island. I manage milk, egg, and soy allergies. My mom’s approach to being a food allergy mom is: sacrificial, generous, and careful.
More of a cook or baker? What’s her specialty in the kitchen? Cook! Her specialty is Chinese food. She makes the best sticky rice and sweet & sour chicken!
Was there any food allergy find your mom was able to scoop that allowed you to have something you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to eat safely? SunButter, Enjoy Life chocolate chips, Daiya pizza, and So Delicious ice cream are some of my favorites!
Anything your mom did that helped you feel included? For every occasion that involved food, she made the effort to research and advocate for us. She would try to cook the same meal, just allergy-free, so we would feel safe and included. She’s always on the hunt for new allergy-friendly finds, and I think she gets just as excited as we do when she finds something new and safe!
What’s the most ‘extra’ thing your mom has done to keep you safe? On our most recent California trip, she and I cooked multiple meals beforehand to freeze and bring on the plane. Five years ago for Disney World, she consulted a travel advisor to help us plan which restaurants and meals were safe, and I ate my very first turkey leg and Dole Whip!
Any memorable way your mom taught you how to advocate for yourself? She modeled how to advocate and empowered me to do so myself. Although it seemed daunting as a child, she was patient with me as I learned the right words to say and the most important questions to ask. She also taught me when it was right to say no or be extra careful to avoid a reaction. Most of all, she taught me what grace meant by giving it to me and reminding me to give myself grace in times when I made the wrong decisions.
Favorite safe restaurant you and your mom enjoy eating at? We don’t really eat out at restaurants—she is the best cook, and I enjoy her cooking more than eating out!
Who’s the first to mention your allergies to the waiter—you or your mom? Definitely when I was a kid, she would advocate for me first. Now, she knows I can speak up for myself because she taught me as I grew up!
A dream Mother’s Day for your mom? Flowers to wake up to, a restful day, quality time with family, a good meal, a clean house, and some popcorn and Kit Kats while watching a show to end the day!
Payton
Hi! I’m Payton and my mom’s name is Sonya. I live in Tuscaloosa, AL, and my mom lives in Fairhope, AL. I manage dairy, egg, peanut, fish, and shellfish allergies. My mom’s approach to being a food allergy mom is: creative, vigilant, and hope-filled. She always says: “It’s only weird if you make it weird” and “You are more than your allergies.”
More of a cook or baker? What’s her specialty in the kitchen? Both! Her specialty is lasagna!
Was there any food allergy find that your mom was able to scoop that allowed you to have something otherwise wouldn’t have been safe? Mom has recently blessed me with the opportunity to try Abe’s muffins—they’ve become a staple!
Anything your mom did that helped you feel included? Growing up, my mom always made mini cakes or cupcakes that matched what was being served at parties so I always had a safe option that felt special.
What’s the most ‘extra’ thing your mom has done to keep you safe? My mom once volunteered to be on the medical staff for my overnight camp so she could be there to advocate and keep me safe the whole week.
Any memorable way your mom taught you how to advocate for yourself? While she always provided safe, fun food substitutes, she also taught me that my voice matters. She had me practice what to say at restaurants and encouraged me to speak up from a young age.
Favorite safe restaurant you and your mom enjoy eating at? Mom and I love eating at the Bayside Grill at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, AL.
Who’s the first to mention your allergies to the waiter—you or your mom? This has changed over time! While my mom was always first when I was younger, I now speak up first.
A dream Mother’s Day for your mom? My mom is one of the most selfless women on the planet—I think her dream day would be relaxing with a good book and spending time with family.
Sami
Hi! I’m Sami and my mom’s name is Vicky. I live in Atlanta and my mom lives in the same city. I manage dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and shellfish allergies. My mom’s approach to being a food allergy mom is: powerful, compassionate, and prepared. She always says: “It’s better to be safe than sorry!” and the classic: “Did you bring your EpiPens?”
More of a cook or baker? What’s her specialty in the kitchen? She’s more of a cook. Her specialty is gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, peanut- and tree nut-free fried chicken and biscuits!
Was there any food allergy find that your mom was able to scoop that allowed you to have something otherwise wouldn’t have been safe? Like literally everything!! But my favorite would have to be Enjoy Life chocolate chips because she makes the best chocolate chip cookies.
Anything your mom did that helped you feel included? My mom always made sure I was bringing the same thing everyone else had—if it was a pizza party, I had my own pizza; if it was a cupcake party, I had my own cupcake, etc.
What’s the most ‘extra’ thing your mom has done to keep you safe? My mom always goes above and beyond to make sure I feel safe when eating out, including visiting restaurants beforehand, meeting chefs, and asking tons of questions before we even show up!
Any memorable way your mom taught you how to advocate for yourself? I’ve learned the importance of self-advocating through watching her. I’ve learned that it’s not rude to keep yourself safe!
Favorite safe restaurant you and your mom enjoy eating at? Ted’s Montana Grill!!
Who’s the first to mention your allergies to the waiter—you or your mom? When I was younger, she would mention it first, but now I always advocate for myself.
A dream Mother’s Day for your mom? My mom would love a hike with my brother and me!!
Sarah
I’m Sarah and my mom’s name is Diana. I live in Los Angeles, CA, and my mom lives in New York, NY. I manage wheat, rye, barley, oat, dairy, and walnut allergies. My mom’s approach to being a food allergy mom is: calm, supportive, and thoughtful. She always treated me as “a kid who happened to have allergies,” not like my food allergies were my whole being. She never let them define me.
More of a cook or baker? What’s her specialty in the kitchen? Both, and her specialty is literally everything! She’s such an amazing cook and baker. A few of my favorites are her scones, magic cookie bars, and chocolate mousse. She also makes amazing ribs that I request every time I visit her.
Was there any food allergy find your mom was able to scoop that allowed you to have something you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to eat safely? When I was younger, there really weren’t many allergy-friendly options on the market, so she baked and cooked everything from scratch. Now we get to enjoy all the amazing allergy-friendly products together, and that’s one of our favorite things. If I had to choose a favorite right now, I’d say Scandinavian Swimmers gummies from Trader Joe’s.
Anything your mom did that helped you feel included? My mom always found a way to help me do whatever I wanted, even with food allergies—whether it was traveling, going on a class trip, sleepaway camp, playing a sport, or joining an activity. She works in the medical field, so she was great at coming up with precautions and finding ways to help me do things safely. She was the class mom for years, making sure every party had safe food options for me, and she would volunteer to go on field trips to keep me safe and included. She would even sit in the school administration office until I got the accommodations I needed. She made sure I was always included—at class parties, on field trips, and even at sports games, where she often supplied safe snacks for everyone.
What’s the most ‘extra’ thing your mom has done to keep you safe? One of the sweetest things that I really appreciate now is how she would stay up all night baking before every party and holiday, including all the class parties I had at school, to make a safe version of whatever food was being served so I would feel included. There weren’t many allergy-friendly products on the market back then, but there was one health food store that was a far drive away. She would happily go there and buy overpriced safe ingredients to make something special if it meant I could be part of the celebration. Now, I’m in allergy treatment, and she flies from New York City to Los Angeles every 10 to 12 weeks so that I don’t have to go alone. She is the absolute best!
Any memorable way your mom taught you how to advocate for yourself? She always advocated for me as a kid and helped me do whatever I wanted safely with food allergies. Because of that, I’ve learned how to advocate for myself and not let my food allergies hold me back. We ate out a fair amount when I was growing up. At first, I would just listen as she explained my allergies to restaurant staff. Then I started speaking up myself, with her right there to support me if I needed it. It’s a great example of how she helped me build confidence and learn to advocate for myself.
Favorite safe restaurant you and your mom enjoy eating at? We love Great White in Los Angeles.
Who’s the first to mention your allergies to the waiter—you or your mom? I advocate for myself at restaurants first because my mom taught me how to speak up and advocate for myself from a very young age. It’s a skill that has served me so well in adulthood.
A dream Mother’s Day for your mom? My mom is visiting me in Los Angeles for Mother’s Day, and I think we’re going to celebrate by getting bagels from Modern Bread and Bagel, an amazing gluten-free bagel shop here in LA.
Sarah and Brooke
We’re Sarah and Brooke, and our mom’s name is Bonnie. Sarah lives in Stamford, CT, Brooke lives in New York, NY, and our mom lives in Stamford, CT. Sarah has peanut, tree nut, soy, sesame, shellfish, legume, and mustard allergies, and Brooke has peanut, tree nut, egg, dairy, wheat, and shellfish allergies. Our mom’s approach to being a food allergy mom is: an absolute superhero. She always says, “Do you have your EpiPens?”
More of a cook or baker? What’s her specialty in the kitchen? Both. For dinner, she makes top 9 allergen-free chicken Marsala, and for dessert, six-layer bars—two different versions to separately be safe for both sets of our allergies.
Was there any food allergy find your mom was able to scoop that allowed you to have something you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to eat safely? Vermont Nut Free Chocolate has been a staple in our house ever since we were kids!
Anything your mom did that helped you feel included? She always made the best cakes for our birthdays! They were all beautiful, and we got to request exactly what we wanted every year. Kids were always jealous at our birthday parties and would ask where we bought our cakes from!
What’s the most ‘extra’ thing your mom has done to keep you safe? The most “extra” thing our mom did was create an entire nut-free candy company when we were kids so we could have candy that was 100% safe—and safe for kids around the world!
Any memorable way your mom taught you how to advocate for yourself? She taught us how to use our voices and not let our food allergies stand in our way. When I (Sarah) was entering elementary school, the school didn’t want to let me attend due to my allergies. My parents fought the district, and they have been advocating—and then passing that advocacy on to Brooke and me—ever since!
Favorite safe restaurant you and your mom enjoy eating at? Brooke: Nami Nori, Sarah: La Pecora Bianca.
Who’s the first to mention your allergies to the waiter—you or your mom? Us, after our mom shoots us “the look.”
A dream Mother’s Day for your mom? Allergy-safe snacks and laying by the pool with her family!
