Page 78 - The Ultimate Guidebook for Teens with Food Allergies

What would you do if your date didn’t take your allergies seriously?
Hannah - If my date didn’t take my allergies seriously, he would no longer be my date. Allergies are a part of me as much as anything else. And someone not taking them seriously shows a lack of respect for my health. I wouldn’t be able to trust someone who didn’t believe in helping to keep me safe. Not understanding allergies shows a lack of maturity. And not wanting to understand is just plain rude. If your date isn’t taking your allergies seriously, you could be putting yourself in a risky situation. And you’ll have to decide what feels safest to you.
Lindsay - I would explain to them how serious my allergies are and really emphasize how they are life- threatening. If they still didn’t get it, or didn’t take them seriously, I would stop seeing them.
Nick - For me, that is kind of a deal breaker. I would try to explain how serious they are. But, if they are still immature about it, the relationship would be over.
Have you ever been too embarrassed to bring up your allergies with a new date?
Hannah - It’s always a little embarrassing to bring up your allergies with a new date. But it’s something that must be done. I’ve never been TOO embarrassed to bring up my allergies. I’m used to the little pangs of nervousness that come with the “allergy talk.” If you want to be able to enjoy your night, it’s best just to spit it out whenever the opportunity arises. Plus, the longer you wait to tell your date about your allergies, the harder it gets to bring it up. If you don't do it on the first date, it might feel even more awkward to do it on the second!
Lindsay - I have been embarrassed to bring up my allergies with a new date. To try and make it less awkward, I bring it up over text message and then talk about it again in person.
Nick - Personally, this hasn’t been an issue for me. I feel that being as honest as possible with your date about who you are is a great thing anyway. If they reject you, because of your allergies, they aren’t worth your time anyway!
To wrap it up...
After reading this chapter, you’ve hopefully realized that dating with food allergies is very manageable as long as the right steps are taken to ensure your safety. The way you choose to handle your allergies with a date or boyfriend or girlfriend is up to you. But there are a number of important things to consider. You must realize that your allergies are a part of who you are and that your date needs to accept it. Never compromise your safety for a date. If they aren’t willing to help you stay safe with your