Page 76 - The Ultimate Guidebook for Teens with Food Allergies

What would you say? (Q&A)
Hannah, Lindsay, and Nick
How do you bring up your allergies when you are going on a first date?
Hannah - It works really well if your first date is food-oriented. It gives you a natural pathway to discuss allergies. When you’re looking at the menu, you can casually mention that you need to be careful with what you order because you have allergies, etc. But, if your first date isn’t food-oriented, you have to just find a pause in conversation to stick the facts in. Keep it brief. But, if your date wants to know more, tell him or her enough without overwhelming them—or, worse, freaking them out!
Lindsay - I try to bring it up in a casual way when choosing which restaurant to go to or where to hang out. I try to make it not very intimidating or scary for the person I’m telling.
Nick - Personally, I think the best way to connect with another person is through getting a coffee together or going out on a dinner date. This works well for me since it is naturally a good transition point to mention my allergy in a regular conversation.
Do you ever try to keep it to yourself that you have allergies?
Hannah - Although it can be tempting to keep my allergies to myself for fear of spoiling the mood or drawing too much unnecessary attention, I never keep my allergies a secret. Allergies are a serious matter. But they don’t have to stop you from doing things or ruin a perfectly good dinner at a restaurant. The key is to manage them with a plan ahead of time and that includes making sure the people you’re with are aware of how they can help keep you safe.
Lindsay - I never try to keep it to myself that I have allergies. I might not bring it up until I know the person pretty well and begin to go on dates with them. Yet I never keep it a secret because that is very risky!
Nick - I don’t think that would be a good idea. I wouldn’t go crazy and talk about some tragic, emotional story connected with your allergy. But informing your date about your allergy can eliminate some bad situations in the future.
Does your boyfriend or girlfriend stop eating your allergens entirely? Only on days they know they are seeing you? Other?
Hannah - Different people have different ways of dealing with dating. Personally, I find it most comforting when my date agrees to stop eating my allergens entirely. That way I can trust that it will never be a problem between us. On the other hand, if your date isn’t willing to do that, there’s nothing