Allergy Family
Stella Holt
On a mission to make dining out safe for everyone. Bringing confidence to businesses and customers with our #CaterAllergySafer Programmes. Advice/Training/Excellence/Confidence/#Natasha's Law/#Owen's La
The newsletter for the Allergy Community, our families, friends, colleagues, and food providers.
What’s the buzz
Court or Arbitration?
Last month, we heard about Disney trying to wriggle out of legal action, by saying that the customer had agreed to settling through a system of arbitration, because they had signed up to a trial of the Disney+ channel. I am pleased to report that there has been a change of heart, by Disney, and the case will be allowed through the Legal system in the USA. We wait in anticipation to hear the outcome, though undoubtedly, it will take a long time.
GPs need more training on allergies.
At long last, it has been recognised that GPs need more training on allergies. This is something that those of us who have to live with allergies day-to-day have known for many years, but now The Imperial College London have acknowledged the fact that there is not enough time given to doctors training on the subject.
It makes me wonder how many of us have ever been told, ‘It’s only an allergy’, sent away with a prescription, and had very little information, support, or follow-up. It has also come to our notice that very few people who are at risk of anaphylaxis have ever been told they should lay down when having a reaction. This important, because walking around could possibly worsen the reaction, and lead to the worst outcome more quickly.?
Our founder on a podcast with Dr Nina Markovic and Immunity Group Australia, listen here:- From Kitchen to Advocacy: Stella Holt’s Mission for Food Allergy Safety by Immunity Group Podcast (spotify.com)
Inquiring minds
Travelling when you have allergies
Travelling is often an adventure for many people. There are so many places to go in the world, sights to see, experiences to have, and foods to try.
The opposite can be true for those of us who have allergies. Whilst it might be an adventure, it may also be quite daunting, worrying, and frightening.
There are stories from within the community of varying degrees of accommodation.
Some airlines will allow passengers to pre-board, wipe down the seats, trays, and surrounding areas, make announcements that there is a passenger with allergies, and nuts will not be served on a flight.
Yet there are others who have had the very different experience of being ridiculed, abused, forced off the plane, and even buying all the snacks available to prevent them from being opened on the flight.
We would like to know your experiences and thoughts about this. Should all flights ban nuts? Should it go a step further and ban nuts in the airport? How can we stop passengers from bringing nutty snacks in their bags onto a flight?
Another popular means of holiday is a cruise. I have heard about passengers being promised safe food when they booked, but the reality was quite different. Customers have been known to take their own rations as back-up in case they cannot be catered for aboard the ship.
What about public transport, such as buses and trains? I once had the experience of some young passengers having a food fight on a train with sandwiches. I could smell the egg and onion, so the safest option for me was to move carriage, as I had no idea what else could be heading my direction. How many people are really aware about the impact of their actions?
How do you deal with your allergy when travelling?
Let us know by emailing [email protected] if you would like to share your story in a future issue.
Tips and ideas
What can you do to make travel safer?
1)?? Wear a medical bracelet or necklace to make it clear that you have allergies.
2)?? Carry a detailed plan of what to do in case of emergency/anaphylaxis.
3)?? Carry a card with details of your allergenic triggers.
4)?? ALWAYS carry your medication, and make sure you have enough for the duration of your trip.
领英推荐
5) Tell everyone you are travelling with about your allergy, and make sure they know about all the above.
This month’s recipe
Free From 'Cheese' Sauce
This sauce can be used with pasta, cauliflower, or Lasagne
If made thick and chilled in the fridge, it will set and may be sliced.
If not using immediately, refrigerate and use within 3 days.?
Ingredients
500g potatoes
250g carrots
1/2 an onion
1 tsp vegetable oil
100g nutritional yeast flakes
100ml water
Seasoning to taste
Method
Finely dice the onion and fry in the oil until golden brown
Peel the potatoes and carrots, and cut into small, evenly sized pieces
Cook the potato and carrot with the onion in the water until soft
Remove from the heat, add the nutritional yeast and blend until smooth
Add more water if necessary to desired consistency
Season to taste
For a stronger flavour add more yeast flakes
Next month
What’s in a name?
Another recipe
?
Hi Stella, It’s shocking but not surprising that we’re seeing yet another instance of a major company downplaying the reality of food allergies, like the Disney story. It’s almost like people think these things belong in the realm of fairy tales! But the truth is, allergies are serious, life-altering, and often life-threatening. It’s frustrating how little awareness exists about the gravity of food allergies, and this lack of understanding is everywhere. A lot of people don’t realize how complex allergies are—not just avoiding certain foods, but the vigilance it requires to stay safe. Thanks for the recipe I will give it a try. ?? Please keep the conversation going and continue to educate and help make a safer environment for everyone dealing with allergies.
Office Manager at Friedman Chiropractic Inc.
2 个月Stella Holt This is a nice recipe. I used to get something similar in the health food store, and it was nice as it wasn't made out of cashews like almost all faux cheeses are. I worry about overdoing the cashews, as I tend to get food sensitivities from overdoing.