NUTS and Bolts of Food Allergies

Did you know…

Food allergies are a major issue with almost 6 million kids affected in the U.S.  But what does this number mean to you?

·       Six million kids means that about one in every 13 kids in the U.S. has a food allergy.
·       This means that approximately two kids in every classroom have a food allergy.
·       If all of these kids were moved to one state in the U.S., that state would be the 19^th largest (based on population).

Wow!  That’s equal to the population of Maryland!

Food allergy numbers are growing…

Keep out of the nut house!

Which One Wednesday: Ice Cream Answer

If you chose UDF's Homemade Chocolate Chip ice cream as peanut-friendly, you were correct!

It's great that I can eat Homemade Chocolate Chip ice cream by the pint or half gallon.  Unfortunately, it gets a bit tricky when trying to order by the scoop.  It's hard for those with peanut allergies to get ice cream by the scoop because the ice cream scoopers are used in all the ice cream flavors (including Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip).  So, if it's a brand new Chocolate Chip tub and a newly-cleaned ice cream scooper, I can buy ice cream by the scoop.  It's definitely easier to just buy the pint or half gallon!

While Graeter's Vanilla Chocolate Chip doesn't necessarily contain peanuts, it's produced in the same factory as the baked goodies Graeter's sells, and many include peanuts.

Keep out of the nut house!

Which One Wednesday: Ice Cream Edition

Say you want to grab a scoop of Cincinnati's famous ice cream after your delicious burger at Red Robin, the winner of last week's Which One Wednesday.  Which pint of ice cream do you think is peanut-friendly, UDF's Homemade Chocolate Chip or Graeter's Vanilla Chocolate Chip? 

Comment below with your best guess!
a. UDF's Homemade Chocolate Chip
b. Graeter's Vanilla Chocolate Chip
c. Both 
d. Neither

Keep out of the nut house!

No ifs, ands, or NUTS!!

 "It’s nothing, I just have allergies”.  Living in Cincinnati, this generally means that you experience seasonal allergy symptoms of runny nose, itchy eyes, and headaches.

But, what about food allergies?  What are the risk factors that make you more likely to have a reaction to certain foods?

While there is no one definitive cause for food allergies, there are common factors that link these allergy sufferers.  If you say yes to any of the following, you may be a candidate for a food allergy:

o   Does your parent have any type of allergy – this could include asthma, eczema, food allergy, or environmental allergy such as hay fever?

o   Do you have asthma or any type of non-food allergy?

o   Do you have atopic dermatitis, eczema, or gastrointestinal diseases?

Know the risks…food allergies affect all races, sexes, and ethnicities.  They can begin at any age!

Keep out of the nut house!

Surrounded By Nuts (Guest Blogger)

I am so excited to introduce this post!  A good friend of mine, Matt, had his first peanut-free experience recently, and he wanted to share his story with you.  Thanks Matt!

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There I was at the Cintas Center one cold December afternoon.  My Musketeers were not playing well and I was distraught; they hadn't scored in 10 full minutes!  Out of the corner of my eye, I see my uncle offer my friend Kendall some peanuts.  She declined, and then he offered me.  I was only being courteous as I reached into the bag to grab some peanuts.  It then dawned on me why Kendall declined the peanuts.  I had forgotten about her nut allergy! AHHH!!!  I then declined the peanuts! Whew! Close one! The Muskies ended up pulling through for us as they trounced the Red Storm of St. John 70-60.  I did not realize until that day what the pains of living in a nut-filled world truly are.

Which One Wednesday: Hamburger Joint Answer

Thanks for participating in the first Which One Wednesday!  

The peanut-free restaurant is Red Robin.  My family and I always enjoy eating our favorite burgers at Red Robin!  A favorite of mine is the Guacamole Bacon Burger with a side of bottomless fries!

There are many obvious reasons as to why I cannot eat at Five Guys.  Not only are shelled peanuts available to customers in bulk, but they also fry with peanut oil.  While I am sure many people find their meals delicious, I cannot personally give any recommendations.  

To see Five Guys statement on this topic, click here.

Don't forget to come back next week for a new edition of Which One Wednesday.

Keep out of the nut house!

Which One Wednesday: Hamburger Joint Edition

Happy New Year and welcome to the first Which One Wednesday post!

Every week, YOU will get to vote which restaurant or food item is peanut-friendly.  Come back on Thursday to find out if you were correct!

Which do you think is the most peanut-friendly restaurant?  Five Guys Burgers and Fries or Red Robin? 

Comment below with your best guess!
a. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
b. Red Robin
c. Both 
d. Neither

Keep out of the nut house!