No Nut Moms plan allergy awareness events
For Amanda Shook, the beginning of each school year causes her stress level to go up.
Both of her daughters, Naomi, 10, and Lucy, 8, suffer from food allergies.
Naomi was just 6 months old when her parents found out she was allergic to nuts and, later, eggs. When Shook had Lucy two years later, she soon discovered her young daughter was allergic to dairy products, including milk and cheese.
“Food allergies were not a choice, we didn’t ask for it, but we’ve learned to cope with it,” said Shook, an Oak Mountain area resident.
Shook said a local support group called No Nut Moms has helped her handle her daughters’ food allergies much better.
“I learned I was not alone,” Shook said. “I have other friends in the No Nut Moms group I can call on for advice and lean on.”
No Nut Moms was founded by Lisa Rutter of Rochester, Mich. in 2011 after she discovered her then 3-year-old son was allergic to nuts. The group now has 50 chapters across the nation, including Birmingham, according to its website, nonutsmomsgroup.weebly.com.
Shook joined the Birmingham chapter, led by Amy Roux, in 2013 after reading an article about it in 280 Living.
Severe food allergies can be life-threatening. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, food allergens can cause an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can lead to constricted airways in the lungs, severe lowering of blood pressure, shock and suffocation by swelling of the throat.
Around 15 million Americans suffer from some type of food allergies. The FDA estimates that allergic reactions to food results in 30,000 emergency room visits, 2,000 hospitalizations and 150 deaths per year.
When Lucy and Naomi were younger, Shook said she felt more stressed out even though she took extra precautions. Sending them to school is easier now that both girls are old enough to know how to avoid foods and activities that might cause reactions.
“We’ve told the girls that life sometimes is not fair,” Shook said. “They know how to keep themselves safe. They’re not able to participate with the other kids in class parties. I feel bad sometimes when the girls come home and tell what the kids had. Thank God I found out about Indie Candy [a business that sells non-allergen candies and sweets online].”
Naomi said she and her younger sister have learned to stay safe.
“It’s not as complicated anymore,” Naomi said. “Once you get used to it, then it’s not a problem.”
Shook said No Nut Moms will participate in several activities in October to raise awareness about food allergies.
The Birmingham chapter will host a fundraiser at Pump It Up Pelham on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. It includes an open jump event and a portion of the proceeds will go to the FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) Walk.
No Nuts Moms will also have a food-free Halloween party sponsored by the FARE Walk group, though the date has not yet been determined. In addition, members will participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project, painting and distributing teal pumpkins to be displayed around the area to raise awareness. Halloween can be a difficult time for kids with food allergies, as their reactions limit their ability to trick or treat and eat some sweets.
On Saturday, Oct. 31, the FARE Walk for Food Allergy will take place beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Railroad Park in downtown Birmingham. Benefitting Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), the walk offers family activities while advancing food allergy research, education and awareness.
For more information, contact Andi Chaney, regional coordinator of the FARE Southeast Office at (404) 990-3556 or email achaney@foodallergy.org. Learn more about No Nut Moms of Birmingham by finding them on Facebook.
While more than 160 Foods can cause allergic reactions in people with food allergies, these eight foods account for 90 percent of food allergic reactions:
Milk, Eggs, Fish (including bass, flounder, cod), Crustacean Shellfish (crabs, lobster, shrimp), Tree Nuts (almonds walnuts, pecans), Peanuts, Wheat, Soybeans
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration