Check out my progress on A Note on Food Allergies
It is no secret that food allergies have become increasingly common (or perhaps increasingly diagnosed) in recent years. Peanut allergy in particular is the leading cause of severe or food-related anaphylaxis, causing up to 200 deaths per year in this country; approximately 4 million people currently suffer from peanut allergies.
Accordingly, when I read this article from CNN yesterday afternoon, I was extremely disappointed. As the article explains, it appears that an outdated law is preventing the Department of Transportation from implementing a peanut ban on airplanes.
Although I am fortunate enough not to have any allergies, let alone those of the food-related variety, I understand the anguish that those with peanut allergies must experience when making plans for air travel, and I fully support the peanut ban. I mean, are people really attached to those tiny bags of peanuts? Sure, with their heart-healthy fats and protein, they’re a great alternative to many processed snacks that could be offered—but I highly doubt that’s the reason there is such reluctance to remove peanuts from planes. There are plenty of shelf-stable, allergen-free foods out there that present viable alternatives to life-threatening peanuts.
Until a law is passed, however, I urge people to be mindful of the meals and snacks they bring on airplanes. I can speak from experience that a Sunbutter sandwich makes just as tasty of a travel snack as a peanut butter one 
Do you (or someone you know) have food allergies? How has it impacted your life?
Here’s a look at the day’s eats!
I splurged on some fresh local blueberries last week at the Teet, and I was eager to put them to good use. This morning’s bowl of oat bran featured a handful along with blueberry flax. Yum.
After spending what seemed like an eternity at the car dealership (why does servicing a car take SOO long?!), I was famished. I came home and prepared a massive chopped salad.
You might say that tonight’s dinner was sponsored by Trader Joe’s in that 3 of the mere 5 ingredients were provided by last week’s trip to that most beloved grocery outlet. I can’t really report on the flavor of the Mahi Mahi burgers yet, as I was so taken by the indulgent taste of those thick slabs of avocado…
I am off to catch up on all your blogs—good night!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I’m allergic to gluten and it’s pretty impossible to eat out. The good thing is that I actually have to eat it to react; I couldn’t imagine having an allergy so severe I couldn’t be around the food. I’d be happy to switch airplane peanuts to airplane cashews. Those taste good, too.
Im lucky to not have any food alergies but i cant stand the smell of pork and can’t eatntoo much fishing seating without having a reflux.
I would die if I was allergic to peanuts!
Haha to Matt- I know you would
!
I’m intolerant to gluten, it’s made my tummy upset for quite some time. Or so I now know. I don’t know for sure that it’s main target, but 90% positive it is. Luckily I love quinoa and other grains so much!
Hmm I never thought about peanut allergies like that before! I have a few very good friends who cannot have peanuts so I am very careful what I bake or them, but I cannot imagine traveling with such a fear. I will definitely be mindful about peanut-free travel from now on (even though peanuts have never been a favorite of mine).
Have a lovely day!
I’ve recently fallen in love with Sunbutter. It’s so good in yogurt and oatmeal!
Sadly berries are still really expensive, but I can’t wait for the organic’s prices to come down.
so, i have to weigh in a little bit since during residency we spend time in the allergy clinic (duke has one of the leading peanut allergy specialists, actually!)
while i agree that perhaps handing out peanuts isn’t a good idea (because a 3 year old might grab a stray one hanging out somewhere and the plane would NOT be a good place to anaphylax), the idea that someone could smell your PB sandwich from across the plane and have an airway closure just isn’t substantiated. you have to actually EAT the substance (or rub it on the skin, i suppose) for the reaction to occur. so as long as you don’t leave a big peanutty mess, you can enjoy the pb & j on a plane.
that said, my heart does go out to the parents of highly allergic kids. i know that i would be so terrified (and i know the anxiety levels often run high). and, i do love sunbutter
I so feel for people with peanut allergies. I can’t imagine what that must be like, to be afraid to take a flight! I have a few friends with gluten allergies. That salad looks fantastic- sunflower seeds at such nice crunch. I went to teeter yesterday and thought of you
Food allergies has definitely made eating out and traveling very difficult. My son has multiple food allergies and I find that we seldom go out just because it’s nearly impossible to find anything on the menu he can have. Traveling requires a lot of advanced planning, bringing along foods, making sure there’s a Whole Foods or similar store nearby in case, and asking hotels to store food in their refrigerator/freezer, although that doesn’t always work as the last time I tried this, our gluten-free food got tossed by accident (or consumed by other diners!).