Fans of food blogs, especially those devoted to food sensitivities, most likely fell hard when they first encountered Danielle Walker’s blog Against All Grain.
Her “about” page just barely scratches the surface of Danielle’s journey: “After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease when she was 22 years old, Danielle realized she needed to make dietary changes to end her suffering. She removed grains, lactose, and legumes from her diet, and started her blog to help others suffering from similar ailments continue to enjoy food.”
Fans who’ve joined Danielle on her journey, be it through her blog or bestselling books, have experienced everything from joyful highs to the heartbreak of miscarriage and infant loss of her daughter Aila. There’s truly no holding back as Danielle shares her soul, story and infinite wisdom. Today, Parentology is humbled to have Danielle doing just that with our readers.
What’s a First Step Families Dealing with Food Allergies Should Take?
Helping kids with dietary restrictions feel like they’re not “missing out” is one of the most frequent reader questions I receive on Against All Grain. Having a food allergy or sensitivity is difficult no matter what your age, but for kids, it can be especially tough.
I always say the best and first resource any parent should seek when it comes to identifying children’s allergies is a healthcare expert. Following that, there are so many cookbooks, blogs, and support groups that cater to different dietary restrictions, whether for managing allergies, dining out or cooking at home.
How Did Inspiration Direct the Creation of Your Bestselling Cookbooks?
The recipes in my latest cookbook Eat What You Love, were created to provide grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free and Paleo alternatives to our kids’ (and our own) favorite comfort foods. The hope behind it — that children and adults with dietary restrictions don’t have to feel they’re missing out.
I also answer the question of how to maintain holiday traditions when you and/or your child or a family member has a food allergy in my book Celebrations, and offer quick, easy and healthful recipes even kids will love in Meals Made Simple. Additionally, select recipes from all of my books, as well as new recipes I create in real time, are featured on Against All Grain.
My books are free of four of the top eight allergens (soy, peanuts, wheat/gluten, dairy), as well as grains and corn. I have allergy guidelines for most of the others like nuts and eggs so that it is easy for people to navigate their way through the recipes easily. Also, my substitution chart in Eat What You Love was designed to help people swap out ingredients they’re allergic to.
Where Do You Turn for Advice/Insight re: Food Allergies?
AllergyEats.com identifies allergy-friendly restaurants within your community, or if you’re traveling on the road. Also, Yelp is my lifesaver when looking for restaurant options, whether I’m at home or traveling! I usually type in “healthy food” “gluten-free food” or “organic restaurants” and more often than not, I have a few decent options to choose from!
Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) offers webinars, toolkits, and research summaries in an effort to better the quality of lives of those living with dietary restrictions.
What Are Your Go-To Healthy Snacks for Kids?
My favorite allergy free snacks for kids:
Made Good Bars
The New Primal Snack Mates (available in turkey and beef)
Bare Snacks apple chips and banana chips
Jackson’s Honest Sweet Potato Chips
Barnana Plantain Chips
Sea Snax Seaweed (original olive oil and sea salt flavor)
Happy Baby Organic Creamies (available in multiple flavors)
To read more from Danielle, visit Against All Grain.