Terry Traub's Allergies 101

I alerted you to Terry Traub's book, Food to Some, Poison to Others, last week.

Looks like Traub is going to be this season's hot new flavor among authors, appearing everywhere and dispensing advice like Joanna Allergyseed.

It's good advice, though, judging by this long article on JewishExponent.com.

I'm excerpting some of it, but you should go to the site and read more.

· Emphasize the long-term benefits of good health. Explain to your child that he's eating his "special foods" not just so he can feel better today, but so he'll be healthier and happier for a lifetime. Connect the notion of vibrant health to concrete things he can relate to -- playing football like his favorite athlete, for example. "You might add that the classmates he sees eating lots of processed junk foods will likely have health problems later," notes Traub.

· Make sure the whole family eats the same foods -- at least, most of the time. No one is saying the non-allergy-sufferers in your family can't have a "forbidden" food on occasion, but refrain from preparing two separate meals -- one for the allergic child and one for everyone else. This will make your child feel that the allergy-free diet is a "punishment" and unfair. Instead, choose tasty recipes (and there are plenty of great options out there!) and no one will have to feel deprived.

· Send a few extra treats for your child to share with friends. If your child has a favorite, especially delicious snack or candy, send several extra servings in her lunchbox so she can share them with friends. When other kids see her special food as desirable, they may not tease her so much. In fact, she may start to feel privileged, rather than deprived.