Editorial Review

Few things are scarier than witnessing a child having an allergic reaction, whether it manifests itself as wheezing or life-threatening anaphylaxis. Parents will do anything to avoid having their child suffer such a reaction again, but treading the line between being prepared and being paranoid can be tricky. Read more

Reviews (26)

An Excellent Source of Information
I bought the book immediately after finding out that my daughter was allergic to milk.This book has offered a great deal of information regarding food allergies and how to deal with them when your child has one or more.It has also provided me some comfort, partly by educating me on the topic and partly by letting me know that others deal with the same fears and emotions that I am going through.Having a child with a life threatening condition such as this is so scary and stressful, but this book helps you to deal with that by giving you useful information and tips that have been used by the author in her own struggles with food allergic children.

Susan
My son has 11 food allergies and when I left his doctors office I didn't know what I was going to do.I bought this book after reading some of the reviews.I read the whole book within a couple of nights. Marianne's writing is like she talking with you and not lecturing.Her topics are easy to understand and gave me confidence that I could do this.The suggestions she gives are do able and since she has also has a child with allegies she gives suggestions and not a list of what to worry about like I received at the docotors office. I have recommended this book to the women in our support group, thanks to Marianna I now belong to.

great for parents new to food allergies
This book provided a lot of useful information and ideas for dealing with my sons recently diagnosed food allergies. Written by a mom whose son has several serious allergies, it has a empathic and understanding tone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allergies    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Family & Relationships    6. Food allergy in children    7. Health - General    8. Parenting - Child Rearing    9. Parenting - General    10. Popular works   

Reviews (3)

It didn't work
We spent a lot of time and money on Naet and it simply didn't work.
This Book is a Life saver!
My children suffered from many food allergies. Our lives were on a standstill before we found out about NAET. Now after treating all known food and environmental allergies, we have our lives back. we go out to restaurants regularly. I don't have to read the fine labels on the products anymore when I shop in the super market. We can go camping, to the mountains, to the ocean without any trace of our past problems.Thank you Dr. Devi for writing and publishing this book.

Helped in eliminating my son's food allergies
Although the book won't teach you how to get rid of food allergies it's a great resource for anyone who is or is thinking about getting rid of their child's allergies through NAET.The book is full of case studies that helped me see the not so obvious ways that my son's allergies where manifesting themselves.My son was allergic to soy, garlic, tomatoes, celery, bananas plus a whole lot of other things.The thought of eating in a restaurant was just a dream for our family.After being treated using Dr. Devi's technique we are cured and go out to restaurants all the time without any allergic reactions.Buy this book... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allergies    2. Allergy in children    3. Alternative treatment    4. Care    5. Consumer Health    6. Medical    7. Patients    8. Pediatrics   

Reviews (3)

Great recipes for those with multiple food allergies
My 2 year old is allergic to eggs, wheat, nuts, and dairy, and this is the best cookbook I have found so far. There are tons of suitable recipes to choose from, directions are detailed yet easy to follow, and the results are quite good, especially when you compare them with store bought versions (ugh!). Clear explanations of what substitute ingredients do and where to get them (egg replacer powder, anyone?). To save time, I buy pre-made gluten-free flour at my local health food store rather than making it as the author suggests, and the results have been fine so far. Worth every penny.

Cooking Cruelty-Free as well
This is a wonderful cookbook.I was a bit worried at first when I saw that some recipes called for gelatin.Vegetarians and people wanting to avoid exposure to mad cow disease probably would need to use something else, I thought.I made an item and substituted agar flakes.It turned out okay, not the greatest.I have since left the gelatin out and had great results, so do consider leaving this item out and experimenting if you don't wish to consume certain products.
Best Allergy Cookbook yet.
I have tried many allergy cookbooks and this one is by far my favorite.Every recipe that I have tried has been very good. My diet eliminates wheat, dairy, eggs and soy.Cooking Free has many, many recipes without these ingredients.Soy is used some but you can usually substitute something else.Once you gather up the different types of ingredients used you will be set to make many very good things.I was able to find everything at either my local health store or Co-op.I would highly suggest this book to anyone with restrictions in your diet. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery For Medical Conditions    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Diet therapy    4. Diet/Nutrition    5. Diets - General    6. Food allergy    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health & Healing - Allergy    9. Health & Healing - Low Fat    10. Recipes    11. Cooking / Low Fat    12. Health & wholefood cookery   

Reviews (17)

Excellent, very useful, recommended
I recently discovered I have multiple food allergies.This cookbook has been extremely useful.I have tried about a dozen recipes in the past 3 weeks.All recipes have turned out well, and have been very tasty.I would recommend this cookbook to other allergy sufferers.I found the sections on the different flours and how to rotate my diet very useful.

interesting reading
Lots of info on dealing with the more extreme side of allergies and how to cope with daily difficulties such as eating out,etc.

Food allergy support group leader
"Yeast free" not, "nut free" not, "soy free" not, allergen free like the book claims -NOT.There are allergens throughout the entire book!There were only a couple I could use out of the 350 recipes! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Diet therapy    4. Food allergy    5. Health & Healing - General    6. Health & Healing - Weight Control    7. Health/Fitness    8. Recipes   

Reviews (41)

You've got to read this book!
I received this book as a gift. There are quite a few books on this subject on the market and this one is the best. I too could not put it down and finished it in 3 days. It's a huge book, a great resource that is well researched and written.. I have a few friends who've purchased this book and really loved it too. I can highly recommend this book.
Good information
Iliked this book.It gave alot of helpful, healthy info. I just wish that it had listed the fiber amount for each recipe. Makes Weight Watcher point counting easier.

Good effort, could have been better.
The good:
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Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Health    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Family    5. Health    6. Health & Healing - General    7. Health and hygiene    8. Nutrition    9. Cookery    10. Diet therapy    11. Food allergy    12. Health & Fitness/Nutrition    13. Humor    14. Recipes   

Editorial Review

Since she was a young child, Ellen Cutler suffered from constipation, bloating, irritability, cravings, and fatigue from food allergies. She later studied chiropractic with an emphasis on nutrition. Through studying a number of alternative therapies, she developed BioSET--a protocol to treat food allergies and conditions that may be caused by food allergies, such as asthma, headaches, ADHD, and many other disorders.Read more

Reviews (11)

Skip this book and go to the source...
Dr. Cutler barely mentions the acupuncurist from whom she learned her methods, but it was probably Dr. Devi Nambudripad or someone trained by her. So skip the copier and get your information from the woman who discovered a way to truly eliminate all allergies, not just food sensitivities. Her book, Say Goodbye To Illness, is packed full of testimonials, some which include phone numbers and email addresses, which are truly miraculous. She also has a research foundation which has verified the effectiveness of her method, which is called NAET. Nambudripad's materials are much more comprehensive, and there are a lot more NAET practitioners around the country than there are BioSet practitioners. Dr. Cutler does talk more about diet and enzymes than NAET does, but it is also old info you could get in any natural healing book. I am disappointed I wasted my time on this book and will stick withNAET.

Just Not Fair!
It's so unreal to me that someone would write this balderdash!
Food for thought for the believers
The book offers a novel approach to management of common problems like obesity, depression, arthritis etc. It is based on the premise that allergy to many substances can trigger diverse and totally unrelated symptoms. It dwells on the natural system of healthBioSET. This consists of diverse components as unique acupressure techniques, nutritional evaluation and use of enzymes to correct enzyme deficiencies, as well as detoxification through homeopathy along with life style changes.
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Subjects:  1. Acupressure    2. Allergies    3. Alternative Therapies    4. Alternative treatment    5. Applied kinesiology    6. Chiropractic    7. Consumer Health    8. Food allergy    9. Health & Fitness    10. Health/Fitness    11. Health & Fitness / Allergies   

Reviews (3)

Great too the point, no pompous drawn out vocabulary
The previous two reviewers did a great job about how great this book is. The book is large, but uses large text & lots of blank space to make it seem less intimidating. Also, there are only a pages of paragraph text on each topic, it's not an exhusting read. The tables for all the foods or also skincare & cooking items is great.
Great book for those looking for lists of foods they can eat
I have this book and would not part with it no matter how high the costs go for this!I purchased this several years ago when my children were dx'd with various food allergies and intolerances, specifically to gluten and casein.I handled that with little help from this book, ONLY becasue I got this after we were on that fully.However, my daughter was more recently dx'd by biopsy with overall disaccharide deficiency (produces no enzymes for breaking down maltase, sucrase, lactase and palatinasa) and not one professional working with her could give me a diet plan for her (not the GI, the Immunologist, or the nutritionist they referred me to, who gave me two pages printed off the internet on the SCD...which was not going to work on this one).
Food Allergy and Intolerance: An excellent compendium
Dietary Management of Food Allergies & Intolerances by Janice Joneja, PhD, RDN is the most comprehensive book I've read on the topic. The author's credentials as a health care professional are impressive. She isan immunologist, medical microbiologist, and a registered dietitian.Credentials like this, to my knowledge, are very rare.Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet Therapy    2. Food Allergies    3. Medical    4. Nutrition   

Reviews (13)

A Grateful Grandmother
When my daughter discovered her seven-year old daughter was allergic to wheat, soy, dairy, corn, Baker's Yeast, eggs, and chocolate, I was stymied. My daughter works outside the home and does not have time to do recipe-type cooking. As Grandma, I have had to fill in. Along with Internet sources, this book has been a tremendous help to me. Glad, too, to have discovered Vitamin C Crystals and various kinds of flour, which I didn't know existed.

Good for Baking
I am allergic/sensitive to a huge list of things and I found this book great!I have only really used the baking recipies, but I found the cookies, muffins, biscuits, etc. great.You can't really expect them to be just like the food you used to be able to eat, but they are so much better than stuff from other allergy-free cookbooks.I haven't tried any of the meal recipies b/c they're not very exciting.If you want something special there, try to find The Allergy-Free Cookbook edited by Maggie Pannell, which I didn't see here on Amazon.I wasn't looking for perfection, but the variety in Allergy Cooking with Ease was great, and now I have a chocolate chip cookie recipie without gluten, corn, sugar, dairy, or eggs.I reccommed it.

Dont waste your money
My 16 month old son is allergic to Milk, Soy & Corn and this book was by far the worst I bought.I bought 8 books hoping to find some info and recipies I couldn't find on the internet but the recipies were very exotic and not appropriate for a toddler and were not truely allergin free.I did better at the Food Allergy Network site and should have only bought their cook book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allergic Conditions - Nutrition And Diet    2. Allergies    3. Allergy    4. Cookery    5. Cooking    6. Cooking / Wine    7. Diet therapy    8. Food allergy    9. Health & Healing - General    10. Recipes    11. Reference    12. Cooking / General   

Reviews (1)

This is THE book for your little ones AND their loved ones!
As a board member for a food-allergy support organization, I review books relating to food allergies every month.
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Subjects:  1. Juvenile Fiction / Health & Daily Living - Diseases    2. Juvenile Fiction / Health & Medicine    3. Allergies    4. Children's 4-8    5. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    6. Food allergy    7. Food allergy in children    8. Peanut butter    9. Peanuts   

Reviews (9)

NAET
I have read the book and agree that the title can be misleading.HOWEVER, that being said...I have brought my autistic twins to a NAET practitioner...after the first treatment, I already see a difference. My oldest twin is able to put 10 words together in a sentence (2 days ago he struggled to put 3 words together).My youngest twin is less agitated and more happy.Until you bring your autistic child to a NAET practitioner and at least try 1 appt. you should not judge the content of the book or its title.

Read it with open mind and you will learn!
My son,Jonathan was diagnosed with Autism when he was 3.5 yrs. old and I was faced with the dilemma as a practicing M.D. for 16 years in allopathic medicine.I was told by many so called "specialists" that he will never recover since he was heavily impacted.After visiting NAET website, I read her books and immediately signed up to learn how to practice NAET on my son.Jonathan is on the road to recovery!I've helped not only my son but other autistic children as well as ADD, and ADHD children. Dr.Devi is a medical doctor and a chiropractor as well as a acupunturist, and a doctor of oriental medicine.But most of all, she was a patient who suffered enough to truely "CARE" about others who live in quiet desperation.She has finally connected the dots between Eastern medicine to Western medicine to benefit the humanity. She strongly encourages autistic children to continue with ABA and other modalities(PT,OT,Speech Therapy etc.) while NAET is ongoing. Be open-minded and humble enough to learn what NAET is all about!It may change your life if you let it!

NAET WORKS ON AUTISM!
Steven, a seven year old autistic child began treatment on the same day when I started my treatment. I distinctly rememberhis appearance on the first day of his visit in Dr. Devi's office. He was bumping into things and people, had no awareness of the surroundings or people, was flapping his hands, pulling his sleeves, chewing his clothes, running back and forth in the waiting room aimlessly, etc. Then I didn't see him for a while, because we both had appointments at different times. I saw him the other day again, and I couldn't recognize him. His mother said he had 11 treatments. He has not yet treated for immunizations. He was sitting in the TV room with other children and watching TV calmly. What a transformation! I wonder why more people don't look for NAET or take their autistic children to NAET practitioners! Steven's dramatic changes forced me to read this book. What a book! Great information for the parents of autistic children. As usual lots of useful self-help tips for the parents. This book is packed with information. Everyone with an autistic child or relative must read this book. This can give a new meaning to your life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allergies    2. Allergy    3. Alternative treatment    4. Autism    5. Children with Special Needs    6. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Medical    9. Reference   

Reviews (10)

Good, good
I previously purchased this book, used it successfully, and then lent it(much marked up) to someone (don't remember who)and now I need it again. I didn't follow the program 100%, but it did work. I was on allergy shots, and had asthma symptoms at certain times of the year depending on what was blooming. This book worked for me, and I have tried a lot of them.

Missing the point
Another book that I felt had very little to offer that was not already out there. For the past fifteen years, I coughed every morning and night with disrupted sleeping and resulting fatigue. It was a breathing method called Buteyko that changed this.
Intriging
I read this book with very great interest.It's the most promising and sensible approach I've seen to addressing the allergy and digestive problems I've been having for many years, which my own doctors have by trying ineffectively to treat by drugging the symptoms into submission.I intend to try the program.
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Subjects:  1. Allergic Diseases    2. Allergies    3. Allergy    4. Alternative treatment    5. Asthma    6. Consumer Health    7. Diet / Health / Fitness    8. Diet Therapy    9. Diets - General    10. Diets - Special Conditions    11. Diseases - Respiratory    12. Food allergy    13. Health & Fitness    14. Health/Fitness    15. Coping with illness    16. Diets & dieting    17. Health & Fitness / General    18. Popular medicine    19. Respiratory medicine   

Reviews (13)

Alternative flour education!
This book is an excellent one for baking if your child has an allergy to wheat.My child cannot tolerate kamut and spelt, which the author uses often, but the author almost always gives a list of 4 or 5 different flours that will also work with each recipe.And, she will make note, for example, if more or less liquid is called for if you use a different flour. If an egg is called for, she'll also give you a substitute.Very thorough.I've read a bazillion food allergy cookbooks, and this one by far is the most flexible.

Try the crackers!
Part 1 is particularly useful, with well researched chapters on understanding and managing food allergies.People with multiple food allergies will still have to make some substitutions to many of these recipes, but Ms. Gioannini uses healthy ingredients, and has many inspired recipe ideas. My personal favorites are the recipes for Oat Crackers, Buckwheat Thins, and Flour Tortillas, all of which are safe for the majority of food allergy sufferers, and are often hard to find premade in stores. So try the crackers!

Some good recipes, some "out there" recipes
I like this book, it's a little much in some cases, but generally worth the price.The one problem that I do have with it is that she has recipes that contain spelt and kamut flour.My daughter is allergic to wheat so spelt and kamut are not an option for us.The other issue I have with the book is that I never seem to have all the ingredients in my cupboards that she uses.I'm in a constant battle to keep things at hand with this one.However I do feel that the author has cooked these dishes, and eaten them herself and for the most part they do work.Which is not always the case in the allergy recipe world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allergic Condition Cookery    2. Allergies    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet therapy    5. Diet/Nutrition    6. Food allergy    7. Health & Healing - General    8. Recipes    9. Cooking / Health   

Reviews (7)

The Peanut Allergy Answer Book
Very helpful and consise. Gives a thorough overview of peanut allergy and is easy to understand. Helpful for both myself (I have a peanut allergic son) and for my family to better understand the issues involved.

Very informative
There is a lot of helpful information in this book, especially about foods that contain peanut products when you would not expect it and about the treatment of allergic reactions.I am about 40, and have been severely allergic to peanuts my whole life.I had to learn much of this information through some very unpleasant allergic reactions. If you have a child with a peanut allergy or have the allergy yourself, I would highly recommend this book as a way of avoiding some of those unpleasant (and sometimes life-threatening) experiences, and as a way of understanding how the allergy works.

Very Informative
I highly reccomend this book to any parent who has a child with peanut allergies. It is an extremely informative book. Dr. Young does not use medical terms that are hard for the layperson to understand. He also provides other resources which are invaluable. I liked the way he gave situations and how they were either resolved or should have been resolved. He anwered all you could/would ever want to know about peanut allergies. Read more

Subjects:  1. Allergies    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Food allergy    5. General    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Peanuts    9. Popular works    10. Health & Fitness / Allergies   

Reviews (6)

REAL SOLUTIONS FOR EMBARASSING SYMPTOMS
Although I had been previously diagnosed with celiac disease with dairy intolerance, this book made me consider that my ongoing symptoms were more than gluten or dairy contamination accidents.In simple, layman's language, Dr. Wangen explains the 'normal' digestive process and problems that can arise in that system (like diarrhea and constipation).Then he describes the common medical approaches ('Treating the Symptoms, Ignoring the Cause') for 'IBS' symptoms.That section describes the typical journey of misdiagnoses and dead ends, which many celiacs take before getting a correct celiac disease diagnosis.Next he discusses the common causes of 'IBS' symptoms, which include celiac disease, food allergies and 'bugs' (such as bacteria imbalances, yeast and parasites). Finally he tells how he determines what causes a patient's symptoms and the appropriate treatment to eliminate those symptoms.
A complete guide for the procedures involved with IBS
The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solution by Stephen Wangen (Founder of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment Center) has as its focus a medical condition estimated to affect as many as fifty million Americans today. A complete guide for the procedures involved with IBS, The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solution informs readers of the causes of IBS in general and how to find the particular cause(s) of their own IBS symptoms; why most treatments don't directly address the causes of IBS; how to treat IBS once the cause is discovered; where to go for help; and how to live life with a healthier and less irritated digestive system. The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solution is very highly recommended for non-specialist general readers having to deal with the condition of IBS with themselves or a loved one, as well as those who are newly diagnosed with IBS and are searching for a complete and thorough explanation of (and treatment for) irritable bowel syndrome.
This approach to IBStreatment changed my life
Dr. Wangen's approach, outlined in his book, is to find the underlying CAUSE of IBS. It seems so simple and yet in 20 years of seeking help from a number of doctors, and enduring many tests, no one else could help me. In my first visit with Dr. Wangen he tested for several potential causes and quickly identified my case as food related sensitivities. I have eliminated those foods from my diet and no longer have the symptoms I suffered from for so many years. I believe Dr. Wangen's book outlines a logical approach that can help many people regain their health and life. I also believe every medical general practitioner and internist should be REQUIRED to read it. I highly recommend this book to those who are suffering from IBS and want to feel good again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. Diseases - Abdominal    3. Gastroenterology    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health & Fitness / Alternative Therapies    7. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Abdominal    8. Health/Fitness    9. Constipation    10. Diarrhea    11. Diet therapy    12. Diseases    13. Food allergy    14. Gastrointestinal system    15. Irritable colon    16. Nutritionally induced diseases   

Reviews (9)

A fun, practical corkbook that's well within reach
I love this cookbook & use it all the time!My daughter has many allergies (tree nuts included) so we haven't been able to use all the recipes, but those that we have are wonderful!I keep checking back, hoping to see another book by this author, but haven't found any so far.As for the "rantings" spoken about in another review....I read the book cover to cover and didn't find anything that fits that description.I enjoyed Ms. Meyer's stories of her children and her 'journey' and appreciate her having shared it.Thanks!

This book did not meet my expectations.
I wanted to like this book, but just can't.The author is condescending at best and downright insulting at worst.I think it's safe to assume that anyone buying a cookbook can um - cook! She also uses butter in every other recipe, but according to the book her kids are allergic to dairy.I don't get it.She's also a little off the deep end, she basically goes off on the entire food industry as if they are trying to kill her little darlings on purpose.Then there is a section where she goes off on a tangent about the dangers of using a grill - then she actually has the audacity to provide a recipe for grilling hotdogs and hamburgers!As if I need a cookbook for that.The other problem that I have with the book is that nearly every recipe centers around a sauce made with dijon mustard, olive oil and copious amounts of lemon juice.I'm very allergic to lemon juice, so in all honesty my ability to use this cookbook is almost non-existant.

Good recipes even in non-allergic kitchen
This cookbook is simple, easy to follow and encourages you to cook from scratch without giving you a guilt-complex.The stuffed-cabbage recipe alone is worth the cost.I'd never done it before, got a wild hair- tried it and we loved it.My kids like making their own cokes, too.Basically, they like to make just about anything and this was the cookbook that convinced me to bring them into the kitchen.I originally bought this to cook for my grandma (celiac) but it is a staple in my kitchen even though nobody's allergic.Not every recipe works for us, but most do.I think it's a great "family" type cookbook.We are by no means health-food nuts either- if anything more junk-food nuts.FYI- I have a (picky) teen, (super picky) toddler and a (eat anything but peaches) baby.I encourage you to try this cookbook, especially if your kids are allergic.Good luck! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Diet therapy    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Food allergy in children    5. Health & Healing - General    6. Health - Nutrition    7. Pediatrics    8. Recipes    9. Child care & upbringing    10. Popular medicine   

Reviews (8)

Cured my Migraines
I have been migraine-free for five years since reading this book!
Would make a good magazine article
Though it does contain some interesting information, the book seems to be written for somebody with the IQ of a donut.He starts by detailing all his education, and then continues totalk down to the reader.He also repeats himself without adding any detail.(Yes, we learn that he really likes corn on the cob!)The contents of the book could easily be boiled down to 10 pages without missing anything important.Also, don't expect to find much of anything concerning 'classic' food allergies here. Now it all begins to make sense
This book is practically an encyclopedia of food allergies written for ordinary people.The author is a physician and allergy specialist with almost 40 years of experience in the field.He describes how in the beginning of his career, he had not been trained to recognize food allergies in his patients, but over the years, he became more and more sensitized to the kinds of symptoms that food allergies can cause.Over time, he noted that many of his patients were allergic to the same common foods, especially what he calls the MALS foods, MSG, acidic foods, low calorie sweeteners, and sugar.The skin tests that are so much relied on for detecting environmental allergies are less informative with food allergies.In response, he has developed a method for identifying food allergies that uses a diet that eliminates common allergy causing foods and then gradually re-introduces them while the patient notes when the symptoms lessen or begin to reoccur.This diet is described in the book, together with possible rotation menus and lists of additional foods that cause problems for some people and may need to be avoided.Read more

Subjects:  1. Allergies    2. Consumer Health    3. Food Allergies    4. Food allergy    5. General    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Popular works    9. Health & Fitness / Allergies    10. Popular medicine   

Reviews (23)

A MUST-HAVE
I purchased this book for my [...] peanut-allergic daughter after discovering it at the library.She absolutely LOVES it and has me read it to her again and again.She also brought it to school during "Nutrition Week" and her teacher read it to the class, and also thought it was fabulous.The book realistically addresses the issue of living with peanut allergies, but in a very child-appropriate format.Every grade-school age child should read this book.

Very Helpful
My five year old son has food allergies and is starting Kindergarten this year. He is the first child at his school to have food allergies and I have been searching at the library for a book to give to his teacher to read to his class to help them understand. I read it myself first and was a bit hesitant to read it to my son because it shows what happens when a child has an allergic reaction (he was one when he had his reactions and obviously doesn't remember). I was afraid he might be scared. When I read it to him, however, he loved it, as did his younger brother who is allergy-free. I think it made my allergic child feel better to see someone else with the same allergies as him. I also think it helped him realize just how important it is for him to not touch peanut butter even if he is being teased. And, yes, I know that at some point in life, he will be teased because of this. This is a great book and I am buying two copies today - one for his class and one for us here at home.

I hated this book
Horrible book.My son is allergic, and I thought this book would be good to have for him.I was wrong!I will never read it to his class.The book has a bully who teases the allergic boy for not being able to make a craft with peanut butter.I feel that the book gives the wrong message.I think it could give kids ideas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fiction    4. Food allergy    5. Health & Daily Living - Diet & Nutrition    6. Health & Daily Living - General    7. Health & Fitness / Allergies    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. School & Education    10. Schools    11. Allergies    12. Allergy    13. Food allergy in children    14. Health & Fitness    15. Peanut butter   

Reviews (5)

Chili Review
In the book a character named Simon finally gives up his peanut butter to sit at the nut free table. The problem is he adds a new food to his list of what he will eat - Chili.In the real world chili is a suspect food that may contain peanut butter as a thickening agent (obviously if Simon's mom made the chili at home one could easily find out the ingredients), reading this book to a 5 or 6 year old could give them the impression that chili is OK to eat, when in reality it may or may not be.I, as a parent of a kid who has nut allergies, am not willing to take that chance.

From the other kid's perspective
One of the most interesting thing about Gloria Koster's peanut allergy picture book is its choice to make the main character a child without a peanut allergy.Kids with peanut allergies already know how important and inconvenient it is to avoid peanuts.By showing the growing understanding of the problem from the point of view of an "outsider," Peanut-Free Cafe allows every child to learn about peanut allergies and gain perspective about the difficulties of others who suffer this problem.With lively illustrations and a clever story, this book's educational value is only icing on the cake!

Good Intentions But Comes Up Short
I had such high hopes for "The Peanut-Free Cafe." My son is five and has life-threatening allergies to peanuts and eggs. He is starting school this fall and amazingly is the first person at his small private school to have this allergy. I had hoped to be able to give this book to his teacher to read to his kindergarten class. Koster did a great job with the allergic character Grant explaining his allergies and what an epipen is. However, no school is going to allow a little kid to carry his epipen in his backpack. Also, I don't know of many schools that would show movies at lunch in order to make the "peanut-free table" more fun. Lastly, Simon who loved peanut butter so much that he was the last to join the peanut-free cafe finally chooses something else to eat. Of all the things in the world he could have eaten, Koster has him bring chili! Kids with peanut allergies can't eat chili. Chili has beans and most kids with peanut allergies are advised against eating beans because legumes are in the same family as peanuts. Also, chili is often thickened with peanut butter.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fiction    4. Food allergy    5. Health & Daily Living - General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Peanuts    8. School & Education    9. Schools   

Reviews (15)

Fantastic, resourceful guide - Vegan Cookbook
This book is very helpful, especially if you are newly diagnosed with food allergies.Or, if you want to dive into the depths of analysis of food allergies and many related issues (ie Asthma).It covers all the A-Z's, including label-reading and hidden allergies, along with cross-contamination risks.A good starter "guide."
Great book! Previous poster is the one that is misinformed - not the book
This is a great book.My daughter is allergic to MANY things and this has lots of great information.In regards to another reviewer who stated that the book left out important information regarding fish being a source of Omega-3 fatty acids - of COURSE the book did!Fish is one of the top 8 allergens and this book is all about avoiding those things.
Wheat Allergy Relief
I found a useful recipe for a wheat replacement flour. I am experimenting with utilizing this mixture in the place of wheat flour for baking and other purposes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allergies    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet therapy    4. Food allergy    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Nutrition    8. Recipes    9. Diets & dieting    10. Popular medicine   

Reviews (4)

Sweet Alternative is so good!
I have been enjoying "Sweet Alternative". The Mock Oatmeal Cookies are amazing. Thanks for your insight and creativity in the foods you present in your book. I really like your approach including the raw foods combined with traditional foods, it's a good mix. I have influenced my friends to purchase your book with little effort just by giving them cookies.

An inspiration
YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES TO ENJOY THESE RECIPES!!!