Ep 15: Kathlena, The Allergy Chef | Overcoming Obstacles in Diagnosis and Community to Empower & Unite | Food Allergy Talk

On this episode of Food Allergy Talk, I welcome Kathlena, The Allergy Chef. Kathlena has over 200 food allergies and intolerances, and can’t drink most water. The members of her household also have food allergies and special diets, none of them the same. After being told she had 30 days to live, she made it her mission to help the food allergy and special diet communities thrive. Three years from her lowest point, she and her team have published several cookbooks, started a bakery, done local and nationwide outreach, developed hundreds of free recipes and resources, and much more. We also discuss:Overcoming the negatives in diagnosis as well as in the community, to empower not only ourselves but one another. She focuses on the "whole" food restricted as opposed to food allergy, vs food intolerant, vs FPIES, and EOE etc. Instead, to find ways to come together, build community, and find safe foods and recipes. Uptick in community discussion of new allergy diagnosis following COVID or COVID vaccine.Dr Sears alternative schedule reference: https://naturopathicpediatrics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Dr.-Sears-alternate-vaccine-schedule.pdfGMO’s, organic food, pollution in environment and other triggers affecting our immune systems. Polarizing choices and that no two people or situations are the same. Do what’s good for YOUR situation, and then support and don’t judge one another whether OIT/vaccines/eating may contains etc. Remember we are all on the same team - the food allergy community... the restricted diet community. We are in this together. Unsolicited advice regarding what to eat, treatments, therapies, and more.How life changing even one allergy friendly recipe can be for someone that is on a restricted diet. Children and adults when noticing body has distaste, and following that to investigate for potential allergies or other issues. Focus on what we can have vs what we cannot have.Water allergy diagnosis, and how she is allergic to what is used to treat water, as opposed to the water itself. What she eats if allergic and intolerance to 200 foodsStop putting one another down and rally even when handle and manage diagnosis different.Her open letter to kids:https://raise.theallergychef.com/an-open-letter-to-children-with-food-allergies-restricted-diets/Instagram: @theallergychefWebsite: www.goraise.netDiscount code for The Food Allergy Talk Podcast listeners: enter "pi50" on goraise.net for 50% off your first month of membership!Listen online anytime: https://foodallergypi.com/the-food-allergy-talk-podcast/ or on any podcast player. Read My Articles on WebMD: https://blogs.webmd.com/food-allergies/lisa-horneThe Everything Nut Allergy Cookbook: https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Lisa-Horne/190009636The Food Allergy Talk Podcast: https://foodallergypi.com/the-food-allergy-talk-podcast/Food Allergy P.I. Blog: https://foodallergypi.comX: @foodallergypi & @fatalkpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodallergypi/ and https://www.instagram.com/foodallergytalk/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foodallergypiEmail: [email protected]