Food-Allergy Books

This book is wonderful, even if you get it just to look at the pictures. I'm new to the world of vegan baking, and I bought this along with Isa's 2 other cookbooks. I like that they give you useful information along with the recipes. I've made 2 cupcakes so far, I wasnt blown away by either one, but I plan to try some of the more interesting ones in here. You do need a lot of ingredients that the average baker doesnt normally have on hand, but I'm slowly stocking up so I can take over the world with my cupcakes!

Every cupcake I have made from this book has been a big success. Well done...

I've had this book for awhile, but I feel it's time to finally review it. This cookbook is truly the perfect way to show family and friends that being vegan isn't a big deal--no really. I'm the only vegan in my family, but I can't wait to knock everyone's socks off at Christmas with these delicious recipes (I'm thinking blueberry lemon creme cake for the adults, and 'decorate-it-yourself' banana split cupcakes for the younguns). Please buy this book. I love exotic vegan cooking as much as the next person, but I don't have to funds to acquire the really weird ingredients. This book has those exotic ingredients, but also simple recipes with common ingredients. I'm hoping this book will propel me to official baker of the extended family, making each gathering a little less cruel!

I've been a vegan since 1989 (and a vegetarian since 1984) and didn't give much thought to baking or sweets because I didn't know how to get around dairy and especially eggs in baking. Cupcakes were the last thing I ever thought I would bake. The recipes are amazing and what I love the best is that the cupcakes don't fall apart. I baked 2 dozen cupcakes recently for my niece's birthday party and people couldn't believe that they were vegan.....

Highly, highly recommended!!!!

This book is amazing! Full of humor and great tips, not to mention wonderful recipes that turn out perfect every time. I am buying a copy for many of my friends and family for Christmas this year.

I am new to eating gluten-free and this book was given to me as a gift along with a few other books. This was by far the best book. The recipes are great. She also gives great information about how gluten-free cooking works in general so you can look at how to convert your own favorite recipes. I think this is a great first book for those who just started eating gluten-free.

Gluten-Free Baking Classics by Annalise G. Roberts is a real treasure for celiacs. Gluten-free food, at best, can be boring and not very tasty, but this cookbook makes baking delightful. None of the recipes I've tried has failed and even my non-celiac friends and family can't believe that the cookies and cakes I've made are gluten free. This would make a terrific holiday gift for the celiac in your family.

This is a great cookbook. Everything I have made from this book is good, and the chocolate chip cookies are better than those with wheat flour. Definitely a must-have.

After several years of trying to adapt regular recipes to be gluten-free with varying results, it's so great to have a whole book full of tried and true recipes, often with instructions & ingredients I wouldn't think of. The gingerbread cake was a big hit at a recent dinner party with gluten-eating guests -- it was moist and springy with great flavor. no more dense squishy or falling-apart crumbly baked goods!

I give this book 5 stars because it's been great for me. I have guten sensitivity and for years I have not eaten pies, cakes, pizza, etc. This book has changed that because now I eat all of this frequently. When I first got the book I thought it would be hard to get her flour mixture from Authenic Foods. But it's EASY. Everything you need is cheap and easy to get. And, her recipes are easy! I make pie crusts and pizza crusts in a jiffy. I recommend a food processor or dough mixer on a stand.

I have Reactive Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondolitis, and am HLA B-27 positive. My mother also has an auto-immune disease and several known food allergies. We both decided to try the juice fast and food reintroduction techniques found in the book. In short, The fast has helped reduce a lot of my mother's pain, but none of mine.

Overall, I think the ideas presented in the book are worth a try. I have heard several people state that approximately 30% of arthritis cases are caused, or at least worsened, by food allergies and sensitivities. In those cases, the arthritis can be cured by performing a juice fast and food reintroduction. The fast includes completely eliminating all foods, avoiding all other inputs - medication, alcohol, and smoking for example, and using enemas to clean out any trace food particles.

The book was easy to read and consistently provided footnotes to Allan's research and suggested reading. My issue with the book is the following:
Allan repeats some information ad nauseum, often at the expense of providing more detailed information elsewhere. I would have liked the sections on the actual fast and food reintroduction to be greatly expanded. For example, it is not sufficient to just say 'begin self-administered enemas and continue until regular bowel movements occur after the test is done'.

Also I feel that Allan gave a far-too-simple explanation of food reintroduction, and in some cases even contradicted herself. For example she states that when reintroducing food only test one food a day, then later says to test one new food every 24-36 hours, then in her sample guide to reintroducing food she says to introduce 2 foods on the same day (apple and a lettuce salad). There is no explanation why this example breaks her previous reintroduction strategy. The final complaint that I have is that much of the stylistic writing and font choice is unprofessional at best, repetitive and gratuitous at worst. All of these problems could have been solved by using a mainstream publishing company and editor, but I am sure no mainstream company would have published this book! That said, I do think that this book is worth purchasing if you have an auto-immune disease and are willing to work hard to solve it! Even though it didn't work for me, it may work for you.

I don't know what I would do withoutthis book, I own a lot of the books on the subject and this is a must have in my opinion

At age 30, after being a college athlete and in "perfect" health, my daughter was diagnosed with RA. We were devastated!! Two years later, she was on Enbrel, methotrexate and other meds for her condition--things looked pretty hopeless. After much research into the disease, we decided we wouldn't just sit around and let the disease take it's course. Researching on Amazon's site, we came across Barbara's book and thought it sounded too good to be true! After all, the rheumatologists were telling us there was no cure. We had nothing to lose but the price of the book, a little time and effort--but we had everything to gain if it did indeed work.

One year ago, we started with the fast that Barbara recommends and we were absolutely shocked with what happened. After 5 days, my daughter was completely without pain, swelling or any sign of RA. We were ecstatic!! Now, the problem was sustaining it! This proved to be the most difficult of the equation. We enlisted the help of a PA who was open to a different approach to the disease and (as Barbara suggested) was able to get food sensitivities completed. Remarkably, the list was extensive, but corn wasn't on it!! My daughter undertook a rotational diet and added many supplements to her daily diet. After a period of six months, she was able to come off Enbrel and methotrexate, but not all of her meds. However, though it is slow,we continue to make progress. This disease didn't happen overnight and will not be stopped overnight.

I believe we couldn't have done this without Barbara's guidance. Her book became our source of strength when we thought about giving up. It was precise, thorough, informative and most importantly--certain this could be done.

There are four other books which we have used in this journey. One, Breaking the Vicious Cycle, is also a must read. Three others, Probiotics Revolution, Children With Starving Brains and Healing the New Childhood Epidemics, are based on the theory of disease being gut related. The latter three books are significant in that they give good recommendations for nutrients to combat inflammation of the gut, which appears to play a large part in RA.

Book was very organized and as a result was clear. The format of explanation and then giving a plan of action was excellent. The only thing it needed to be a 5 Star was a little more humor.

This author has figured out what causes many cases of arthritis. I have osteoarthritis and have been following her recommendations for about a month now. I can already tell a difference in the way I feel. If I cheat, I can really tell the difference the next day. I recommend this book.

This book has such valuable life-saving information. It is a must have even if your child has mild food allergies. There are so many helpful tips regarding traveling, holiday get togethers, and so much more. I can only agree with the other positive reviews!!

Ms. Coss has also written a book called HOW TO MANAGE YOUR CHILD'S LIFE-THREATENING FOOD ALLERGIES. This, too, is a wonderful book for any parent who has a child with food allergies. Basically, this book includes the following:
1) The Food Allergy "Instruction Manual" - get step-by-step information to make your child's life safe
2) Practical, Sensible Advice - learn details on how to handle common and dangerous situations
3) An "Encyclopedia" in 200 Pages - covers topics including how to treat allergic reactions, how to buy and cook foods, how to make your house safe, and how to teach other's about your child's allergies.

I can't stress enough how wonderful Ms. Coss' books are for parents of children with food allergies. I think they are must-haves for parents like me who are constantly dealing with this very scary situation. Ms. Coss has lots of experience with food allergies. She has led a support group for parents of children with food allergies for over 10 years; and she is the mother of a teenage with multiple potentially fatal food allergies.

Have you just found out that your child has a severe food allergy, then this book is a must read. The information is so valuable, and it comes from a mom who has traveled the road, and faught the fights, and is a true advocate for children with food allergies. If you child is starting school and you aren't sure about how things will be handled, traveling, organizing the food cupboard at home, informing others, this books does it all!This is the BEST resource out there!

If you haven't purchased the two cookbooks by Ms. Coss, you should get those too! You won't believe the delicious full flavored meals you can prepare for your whole family, and chocolate cake YUMMO!

When my DS first developed food allergies, this was the book that was recommended to me. This book was a god-send to me when I was overwhelmed with what was going on. Almost three years later, I am still using this book. It is an allergy bible. Included in the book are sample restaurant cards, sample letters to write to your child's school, letters for medical personnel when you travel, tips on how to start a support group, how to read a label to recognize your specific allergen and much more! I have given this book to my DS's teachers and nurses, family members and friends. This is an absolute must have!

I ordered this book when my son was first diagnosed with his peanut allergy. This is a great book with really practicle day to day information on how to deal with real life events. She lays out different scenarios such as playdates, and birthday parties, and gives different suggestions on how to deal with them depending on your situation. Also being the mother of a food allergic child, this book really spoke to me on a more personal level, such as, "you are not crazy", "you can learn to live with this, and it will be ok", and "take some deep breaths.." She also has a great appendix in the back with all sorts of information, such as a script to use and leave at your house in case you need to call 911, and information on how to start a support group.

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I have a growing number of friends who have to follow a restricted diet and this book really fills the gap in my collection of recipe books by putting together delicious recipes that are completely thought out from a nutritional perspective. I no longer feel that I have to compromise on taste to put together a dinner that we can all enjoy.

The book made me more conscious of what goes into what I cook and has changed my attitude to ingredients. Whether or not we have a gastric condition, we should all make an effort to eat food that is healthy and pure. This book addresses that simple goal superbly.

I found many interesting recipes in this book. So far every one that I have tried has been fantastic! I LOVE this book!

Pictures are enticing, ingredients are not too exotic, and recipes are not too labor-intensive! Even my non-SCD-diet family enjoys my creations using this book as a base!

I would suggest any with any type of digestives issues to try out this cookbook and the many others Specific Carbohydrate Diet cookbooks available such as Every Day Grain Free Gourmet also sold on Amazon. This diet will make you feel better as well as giving your entire family as a whole a healthier lifestyle. And the best part is the recipes all taste so good that you don't feel like your on a "special diet". You do have to spend a good amount of time in the kitchen preparing meals from scratch but to me the end result is worth it. I personally have not felt this good living with Crohns disease in years! Finding the SCD diet has given my life the positive turn around I needed!

A new recruit to the delights of cooking, my interest in cookbooks is currently at it's peak. What I've wanted are light, simple meals with fresh, clean tastes and this book certainly delivers. I've found several interesting recipes in this book that satisfy my hunger(and my bias towards aesthetically pleasing, well designed books: after all it's well known that one eats with ones eyes first).
I'm fortunate that I don't need to be on the SCD diet(was recommended this book by a friend, who I invited to dinner and needs to be)but honestly, with food as good as this, the SCD-ers need want for nothing!
Thank you to the authors for giving us this book.

Mothers food is a great book and has helped out a lot. My baby was born 12 weeks early and I have been pumping for four months, I was always behind in my milk production and since reading Mothers Milk It has helped me to up my milk production and also eat a healthier diet.

This is a terrific reference for any expecting or nursing mother. I wish I had had it before my first born. I highly recommend. Information in this book is very hard to find elsewhere.

I found this book after a referal from a lactation consultant after my third baby was born and in the nicu. I had low milk supply issues with each baby but it was worse after my baby was in the nicu. This book offers help that seems to be hard to find from doctors and the medical proffession at large. At the very least it explains things in a way that you can finally understand what is going on, rather being told some bland explanation from a doctor that doesn't offer any help.

I fell in love with this book. I had a lot of trouble breastfeeding my first child and as I was preparing for pregnancy with my second child, I wanted answers. This book explained a lot of the troubles that I personally had. The book is also a good nutrition book, not just for pregnant or nursing mothers, but for anyone. I highly recommend this book for anyone that is looking for nutrition or herbal advise for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

This book is outstanding. I had originally bought "Eat Well, Lose Weight, While Breastfeeding" and was so disappointed, I sent it back to Amazon. Then I found "Mother Food." I can't tell you what a valuable resource this has been for me. It has a very international feel (the author is Swiss) because it references cultures from all over the world and connects you with moms from ever corner of the globe on what works best for producing the highest quality of breastmilk for your baby. The best recipe in the book is for the "green drink." It's a blend of raw fruit and vegetable juices that increases the quantity and quality of your breastmilk amazingly. I make this drink everyday and since then have been able to pump a full 5 oz more milk each day. I have looked and felt so much better since beginning some of the routines described in this book and my baby has been much happier and had hardly any colic! You absolutely MUST buy this book.

My son was recently found to have peanut and fin fish allergies. This book was great for both my husband and I. Easy to read and very informative. Every parent who has a child with peanut allergies must read it!

This is a great little book. It's a fast and easy read, but some how it manages to pack a ton of accurate material in there anyway. I bought a copy to give to my peanut allergic sons' teachers - and they actually read it. That tells me that it truly is an easy read - and that isn't a slam on teachers - it's just that they usually don't have time to read any of the info I bring them on peanut allergy.

It isn't hysterical - it doesn't call for peanut bans in school - but it does take it very seriously and gives the reader the information necessary for them to make their own decisions about how to deal with the allergy.

I highly recommend this book to anyone recently diagnosed with, or having a child diagnosed with peanut allergy. Grandparents and other close family would also benefit from this book. (This should also be on the reading list for daycare employees and teachers!) Peanut allergy should not be taken lightly because of the serious consequences (which most people seem to be ingnorant about).

This book is written in an easy-to-read question and answer style and covers all aspects of the condition. I have learned so much from this book and continue to reference it. I have highlighted many passages and am quick to show them to family or friends when they just don't seem to be "getting it".

I can't recommend this book enough!

I read all the reviews on this book before buying it. Plus, it came recommended by my son's allergist. Amazon has a great price on it too. It was a quick read. I will hold on to it for reference. I just wish it had more resource listings for helping you locate peanut free foods.

This is the most thorough book I've read on peanut allergies. You probably won't find this information on the internet, because most of the answers are substantiated with trials performed by experts.

The book is set up in a question and answer form. All the questions are listed in the contents with pages showing where to find the answers. It is also easy to read, so you won't be stumbling over annoying medical jargon.

Theresa Willingham has done her homework. Compiling this extensive handbook of tips, information, and personal stories certainly took some serious time and effort. But before I get into the details of this guide and cookbook, I do want to point out that this is a gluten-free guide first and foremost.

I think the title of "Food Allergy" may be slightly misleading. It is true that the book is completely wheat-free (one of the top eight allergens), but gluten is the author's primary focus, which is typically a food intolerance and most problematic in autoimmune disorders such as Celiac Disease and Autism. This is not to say that she ignores all other common food allergies, dairy sits right along side gluten, firmly in the passenger seat, making this an excellent GFCF resource. Yet, other allergens are placed in the back seat, getting her attention and mention, but not focus. In fact, while peanut allergies are addressed, I didn't come across any tree nut references.

Theresa's gluten-free focus is understandable, since her son was born with wheat/gluten problem, most likely due to Celiac Disease.

I point this out, because while the recipes are all gluten-free and from what I could tell dairy/casein-free, you do need to read the guide of letters on each recipe to see if they also meet with your free-from needs. Some of the recipes do contain other allergens, and there are some errors in the allergen labeling of the recipes to add a bit more confusion.

There is one other reason I bring mention of the gluten-free nature - many who are concerned with multiple food allergies (or even simply a wheat allergy vs gluten intolerance) are not looking for gluten-free recipes. All of the baking recipes use specialty flours, xanthan gum and other ingredients that may render the recipes less useful (but not useless) for someone who is say dealing with a dairy, egg, and nut allergy combo.

With that commentary out of the way, I did find the reading entertaining. Theresa includes many personal stories, her own and those of other parents of children with allergies / intolerances. She also discusses coping with certain situations, and the basics, such as reading ingredient labels.

What I DO like about the recipes is that they are all relatively simple and appear to be very kid-friendly. Theresa has compiled several of her own recipes as well as recipes from other well-known authors, such as Carol Fenster. As mentioned though, this is a guidebook first, cookbook second ... it is an excellent starting point, with a nice little selection of recipes to inspire. Though you will likely want to seek out some additional cookbooks once you get going.

Overall, I do highly recommend the Food Allergy Field Guide for parents of gluten-free or gluten-free / dairy-free (GFCF) children, but would lean parents of children with multiple food allergies or life-threatening food allergies to the guide: How to Manage Your Child's Life Threatening Food Allergies.

I got this book along with another allergy book when my son was found to have several food allergies. It was helpful. I still look back to it for quick references and I have had it for almost 3 years.

I run a support group for parents of children with food allergies and continuously recommend this book. Resources, contacts, food family listings, nutritional requirements for age groups, recipes, substitutions, supportive stories....it's all in there. A very practical book. A must have!

Developed a sensitivity to dry, mealy food sensivity books? Thirsting for a full-bodied treatment with an effervescent twist? As a mom of three kids, all of whom have food sensitivities, I found Ms. Willingham's book filled us to a healthful brim. We're assimilating her informed, humane, pragmatic support!

I have just finished reading the "Food Allergy Field Guide," A lifestyle manual for families, by Theresa Willingham. I want to let everyone know that if they have a child that is not eating well, or that has growth symptoms that do not seem to be accurately diagnosed by their family pediatrican or doctor, that they should read this book. It will not only save many lives world-wide, but, more importantly, it will allow a great many of the worlds children grow to become healthy, productive young citizens of our country. Ms. Willingham has done an outstanding job of bringing Celiac Disease to our attention. I'd never heard of gluten sensitivity until I read this book, and I am so glad that I did. Congratulations to the author!!!

A good book for beginners to the world of food allergies. Otherwise too basic with little new information.

Finally a book that gives me all the answers and then some. I checked this book out of the library, but will purchase my own to keep. The information is invaluable!

This book was easy to understand, practical and informative. I've read several books about food allergies at this point, and food allergies for dummies is the one I found to be most helpful. If you or a family member have just been diagnosed and you've looking for information. I'd definitely recommend it.

Just started reading but love this book already. Must read for those with food allergies or parents of kids with food allergies. Well worth the money.

As a grandmother of an almost 3 year old grandson, with a severe peanut/tree nut allergy, I found this book great...but sadly, not complete. What is missing? Information about products, other than food, that can cause an alergic reaction. Products, for instance, like bean bag chairs stuffed with peanut shells; certain craft items, like paint or Moon Sand, made with peanut/tree nut oils. All are dangerous and can cause a reaction by contact. To keep him as safe as possible, I DON'T BUY ANYTHING UNLESS IT HAS A CUSTOMER CARE PHONE NUMBER LISTED ON THE LABEL. Everything he eats or comes in contact with must be checked and double checked!! Hope this helps others with the same difficulty.

Gail Sangregorio

I am a physician and I can assure you, this is the best book out there to get clear prospective and understanding about food allergies.
Each chapter has clear focus, breadth of knowledge that gives vital information and suggests remedial actions to prevent allergic reaction.
I love the book. Even medical school dont prepare you for your kids food allergies. No one in our family had it. Thanks for writing this excellent book.

This is a great book! It's a fabulous reference guide to have if you have a child with food allergies. It addresses case studies of children with multiple food allergies and questions that real parents have! It details out different diagnosis processes, treatments and day to day living. If you are raising a child with food allergies - you must read this book.

As a seasoned mom, but a new one to the food allergy world, this book provides a lot of technical info all in one source. If you want to understand why our bodies react to certain foods and how to proceed, this book is for you.

Ditto everyone else's 5 star reviews. A fantastic book for parents and extended family members of the food allergic child. Sicherer write in a clear and concise manner, explaining all one needs to know. My child has food allergies, including Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES), and I've done a lot of research and am active in an online FA support group. This book explains it all, even stuff I didn't already know. His FPIES section is excellent. I keep this book on out for quick access, as I often use it as a reference.

We have been managing my child's food allergies for the past 5 years - I have read many, many books on the subject. This one is the absolute best! As much as I understood about food allergies, I still had many questions. This book has helped to clear up most of them. Many of the books on food allergy create a sense of panic, especially when you are new to the situation. The information in this book takes some of the anxiety out of everyday life - our children can have normal, healthy, fun-filled lives!