Allergic Girl: Adventures in Living Well with Food Allergies

An indispensable guide for living a full life with food allergies--from an Allergic Girl who lives it<p>Millions of Americans concerned about adverse reactions to food are seeking the advice of medical professionals and receiving a diagnosis of food allergies. Allergic Girl Sloane Miller, a leading authority on food allergies, has been allergic since childhood. She now lives a full, enjoyable life full of dining out, dating, attending work functions, and traveling. With tested strategies and practical solutions to everyday food allergy concerns, <i>Allergic Girl</i> shows how readers can enjoy their lives too. Informed by personal narratives laced with humor and valuable insights, <i>Allergic Girl</i> is a breakthrough lifestyle guide for food-allergic adults, their families, and loved ones. In <i>Allergic Girl</i>, you will discover:How to find the best allergist and get a correct diagnosisHow to create positive relationships with family, friends, and foodHow to build a safe environment wherever you areReal-world scenarios scripted from the author's life as well her work with clients and other leaders in the field</p><p>Enjoy your food-allergic life to the fullest. Let <i>Allergic Girl</i> show you how.<br><br> Q&amp;A with Author Sloane Miller <br> Author Sloane Miller <b>How did you become &quot;Allergic Girl&quot;? How did you decide to devote your life to advocating for food allergies? </b><br> I've always been an allergic girl. I've had food allergies since birth and I developed environmental allergies and asthma in early childhood. I'm also a social worker and writer. My work as a food allergy advocate--&quot;Allergic Girl&quot;--combines my commitment to helping people with personal food allergy experience and professional expertise as a social worker and writer. <br><br> Living with food allergies can be challenging--even scary. It can and should also be joyful. Reliable, clear information, and support make the difference. <i>Allergic Girl: Adventures in Living Well With Food Allergies</i> offers advice and experience designed to help people with food allergies. <br><br> <b>What was your inspiration for writing this book? </b><br> In 2006, I started a blog--Please Don't Pass the Nuts--to talk about living with food allergies; share my experience and connect with other people; and share what I've learned about dining out, traveling, dating and working with food allergies. The response has been incredible and gratifying. <br><br> <b>Describe your relationship with food? How has it evolved? </b><br> I love food! Always have. I think our relationship to food is as important as our relationship to friends and loved ones. I spend a chapter of the book discussing how the food allergic community can develop a safe and healthy relationship with food. <br><br> When I was a child, birthday parties were minefields; at playdates, I was always refusing well intentioned but dangerous snacks. As a young adult, I chose to become a vegetarian, which fostered new pathways, new discoveries about food and what it can do for you in a positive way. <br><br> As an omnivore adult, I've devoted my professional career to understanding food allergies and developing successful practical techniques to help people with food allergies. I've used these experiences and expertise to write <i>Allergic Girl</i>. <br><br> I know how complex the relationship with food can be when you have food allergies. I also know, with the right steps and the right support, how enjoyable food can be. That's some of what <i>Allergic Girl</i> is about. <br><br> <b>Is this book only for people with food allergies? </b><br> Whether you have food allergies, know someone who has food allergies or just want to understand more about living with food allergies, this book is for you. <br><br> <i>Allergic Girl</i> offers practical advice and expertise about how to understand food allergies, navigate the risks, communicate your needs and lead your best life. If you have food allergies, a big part of living a safe, effective and joyous life is understanding your needs and building supportive relationships. <br><br> If you know someone with food allergies, a big part of being supportive is understanding what food allergies are and how you can help. <i>Allergic Girl</i> offers insights into what it is like to have food allergies and what kinds of support you can offer. <br><br> <b>What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone recently diagnosed with a food allergy? </b><br> My first piece of advice is to take your food allergies seriously. <br><br> What does this mean? <br><br> * See a board-certified allergist<br> * Fill your prescriptions and always carry them with you<br> * Ask a lot of questions of your doctor/allergist<br> * Read as much material as you can from reputable sources<br> * Be patient with yourself<br><br> There will be mistakes. Start where you are right now and do your best. </p>