Whole grains are an important part of the gluten-free diet since they contain nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, magnesium, fiber, protein, antioxidants and phytochemicals (naturally occurring plant chemicals). Regular consumption of whole grains can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. They also play a role [...]

According to a study last year in the journal Pediatrics, by Michelle M. Garrison, a research scientist at Seattle Children’s Research Institute, about 21 percent of pre-school children deal with at least two sleep problems, from a list that includes difficulty falling asleep, nightmares, repeated night waking or daytime tiredness. Between 20 and 43 percent [...]

We’ve all heard the expression “a mother’s work is never done,” and as the mother of three young kids, I couldn’t agree more. But what rings even truer for me is “there’s never a day off for a food allergy mom.” My work as mom to 10-year-old Nina – the oldest of my three kids [...]

You’ll hear of celebrities like Russell Crowe and Miley Cyrus lauding the gluten-free life as their ticket to weight loss. The word is that Lady Gaga, in the quest for onstage bloat control, doesn’t allow her dancers to eat wheat. But it’s time for a reality check: the truth is that many people who give [...]

There I was again, reeling off the list of foods which my son, Julian, had to avoid because of his allergies to peanuts, nuts, shellfish, chick peas, split peas and soy. He was 6 years old at the time and we were dining at a restaurant, one of many during a week-long vacation in Florida. [...]

Virginia’s Chesterfield County police have determined that there was no criminal negligence on the part of the school personnel in the tragic food-allergy death of 7-year-old Amarria Johnson on January 2. Also cleared of criminal wrongdoing, thankfully, was the child on the school playground who, not knowing of the allergy, handed Amarria the fateful peanut [...]

Q. How closely do I need to follow the gluten-free diet? Will a little bit of gluten harm me? Shelley Case, RD: The only treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet for life. Eliminating gluten will allow the villi  in the small intestine to heal, resulting in improved absorption of nutrients. Over time, [...]

This month, Sam comes face to face with the dilemma of allergy safety and reasonable expectations at her son’s elementary school. The other evening I’m at a school event with the kids. It’s movie night, so I’m towing a bag of treats, including some ketchup-flavored potato chips (my fave), gummies (theirs) and a few other [...]

As a child, I couldn’t wait for Halloween. Transforming into a princess or superhero was thrilling, and the best part was coming home and dumping my loot onto the kitchen table. As a parent of a food-allergic son, however, I quickly realized that celebrating Halloween could pose a serious health risk. Still, I didn’t want [...]

I have been there – to the place where you think your allergic life is unlivable. On a trip to Florida a couple of years ago, I got off the plane having a reaction to something. Who knows exactly what; I’d eaten only my own food, but hadn’t wiped down my seating area. Had a [...]