Page 41 - The Ultimate Guidebook for Teens with Food Allergies

When things go right
Peanut Proofing the Party, by Dylan
When I was 16, I went to a New Year’s Eve party at the house of a friend that I wasn’t really close with. I knew him from a few classes at school. I tried to mention my severe peanut and tree nut allergies to him in the halls between classes. But, I never got the chance and I didn’t have any of his contact information. So I was forced to go to the party a little earlier than I had originally planned. When I arrived, there were only a few people there. So I took the opportunity to scan the scene for the snack area. And what do I see? There was a plate full of all kinds of nuts freshly placed on a table surrounded by nut-free snacks! It was like looking at a food trap. I acted quickly and told the host about the severity of my allergies. He then brought me to talk to his parents who luckily understood and quickly took away the nut platter. They went on to show me every other snack’s ingredients just to make sure everything was safe. And they even listened to my instructions about how to use my auto-injector in the worst-case scenario! What could have been a night filled with paranoia and anxiety turned into a really fun night with great friends!
When Your Allergen is also a Party Guest, by Daniela
This past year, I was at a rugby team house party after a tournament. I was with a great group of friends and having a really fun time. I then noticed something that concerned me. There was a large container of peanuts sitting on a side table. And someone had just opened them and started passing them around. I realized quickly and asked, politely but firmly, if they could be put away. One of my friends realized too and made sure they were gone and that I was okay. Luckily I had caught the potential incident in time. For the rest of the night, however, I was extra vigilant in terms of making sure I didn’t share any drinks or cups. It was a good reminder about how it’s necessary to be aware of your surroundings and unafraid of standing up for yourself.
Quick Tip - Get in touch with the party host in advance to find out what foods might be served. Offer suggestions or be willing to contribute safe snacks for the party.
When things go wrong
This Party is Nuts! By Nicole
In the summer, I went to an outdoor barbeque party. The night got off to a really good start and I was having a lot of fun. As usual, I made sure that I ate a safe meal before the party to ensure that I wouldn’t go hungry. I find that this always helps to alleviate the stress of finding something safe to eat when I am a guest in someone else’s home. About an hour or so into the party, the host pulled out a gigantic,