If your family does not deal with food allergies, it can be easy to assume this episode is not for you. But after this conversation with Kathlena, The Allergy Chef, I think every parent will walk away with more empathy, awareness, and practical tools for helping all kids feel included.
Kathlena’s stories are powerful, heartbreaking, and deeply hopeful. We talked about the hidden isolation many families experience and the surprisingly simple ways we can make our homes, classrooms, and communities safer and more welcoming for everyone.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why many families with food allergies feel socially isolated — even during everyday gatherings
- The emotional story of a 12-year-old receiving her very first safe birthday cake
- Simple ways to include kids with food allergies without making things complicated
- Why “food-free” gatherings can sometimes be the best solution
- What parents often misunderstand about severe food allergies and cross-contamination
- How empathy and communication can completely change a child’s experience
- Why schools and parents need to advocate earlier and more openly
- Practical ways to teach kids kindness, flexibility, and inclusion around food differences
This conversation is such an important reminder that connection matters more than perfection — and that small acts of thoughtfulness can have a lifelong impact on a child.
You can watch Kathlena in action at this year’s #LifeSkillsNow summer camp. She teaches teens how to turn basic ground meats into an amazing variety of dinners. Her workshop is SO GOOD! Don’t miss out – register now.
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Key Takeaways about Including Kids with Allergies
- Food allergies can be deeply isolating for kids and families. Because of severe allergies and cross-contamination risks, many people with food allergies rarely get to safely share meals with others.
- Inclusion matters more than perfection. You do not need to make elaborate allergy-friendly meals to help someone feel welcome. Simple foods and thoughtful communication can go a long way.
- Hospitality starts with asking questions. Many parents want to include kids with food allergies but feel nervous about doing it wrong. Honest communication helps everyone feel safer and more comfortable.
When all else fails, do something without food. Don’t lose the connection with people. – Kathlena, The Allergy Chef
- Food-free gatherings are a great option. Not every social event needs to revolve around eating. Meeting at the park, playing games, or gathering between meals can help everyone participate safely. (One reason I always advocate for food-free birthday celebrations at school too!)
- Many families are quietly navigating food allergies. Kathlena shared that in one classroom, 17 students had food allergies before parents finally began speaking up and advocating for accommodations.
- Small acts of inclusion can become lifelong memories. One of Kathlena’s most meaningful moments was making a safe birthday cake for a 12-year-old girl who had never been able to eat birthday cake before.
Registration Is Open for #LifeSkillsNow!!
#LifeSkillsNow was created to serve the needs of families who desire their kids to have practical life skills that schools aren’t teaching. We host experts in fields ranging from entrepreneurship to finances, cooking, and soft skills like managing emotions and choosing a healthy mindset.
This year’s camp is June 8-12, and you won’t want to miss it!
When you register, you get instant access to 15 workshops to do, for kids, teens, and yourself! You don’t want to miss out on the camp that over 100,000 families have done and loved.
Yes, I Need Life Skills NOW for My Family!Action Steps for This Episode
- Ask about food allergies before parties, team snacks, or gatherings so every child has the opportunity to feel included.
- Keep allergy-friendly hospitality simple by choosing basic foods that are easier to serve safely.
- Teach your kids empathy around food differences and help them understand why some children bring their own food.
Sometimes the safest and kindest thing is simply being honest about what you can and can’t provide. – Kathlena, The Allergy Chef
- Offer non-food opportunities for connection like park meetups, crafts, games, or outdoor activities.
- Model curiosity and kindness by asking thoughtful questions instead of avoiding conversations about allergies.
- Advocate clearly and early with schools, coaches, and other parents to help create safer environments for children with food allergies.
“Mooooom, I’m hungry!!”
How many times do your kids ask for snacks each day? Wouldn’t it be a relief if they were empowered to prepare their own snacks, instead of coming to you and whining about how hungry they are?
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Resources We Mention for Including Kids with Allergies
Kathlena, The Allergy Chef™, has quite the background! Living with life threatening food allergies herself, she’s been making a difference in the allergy and restricted diet communities for over a decade. If you’d like to know the gritty details of her medical journey, you can read about it here.
Since becoming The Allergy Chef™, Kathlena has opened an award winning bakery (Free & Friendly Foods), published numerous cookbooks, inspiration guides, and so much more.
Another top highlight was her traveling thru the United States as part of the Food Allergy Expedition Tour, and partnering with companies such as Whole Foods Market and Zego Foods to help bring education and awareness to thousands.
In addition to these accomplishments, Kathlena has been featured on a wide variety of podcasts and is looked to as a trusted resource in the allergy community. She’s also created over 600 recipes, allergy courses, hundreds of articles, and webinars that live on her sister site, RAISE, that is catered to help anyone living with a restricted diet.
Kathlena has also been an instructor at the annual Pastry Arts Summit, along with other top pastry chefs including Kristen Tibbals and Karim Bourgi.
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