Author: Shannon Carter

Every Bite Counts: The Hidden Struggles of Food Allergies

For someone living with food allergies, reactions to an allergen trigger can range from mild to fatal. In addition to the medical side of living with food allergies, there are also significant financial, psychological and social impacts as well.

Financial

The economic burden of food allergies is intense. The care for a person with a food allergy can cost over $4,000 per year. There are direct medical expenses like doctor visits, emergency room visits, and medications. A person with a food allergy may require frequent visits to specialists which can cost hundreds of dollars per visit. Avoiding food allergens can significantly increase a household food budget through the added costs of specialized foods or special food preparation time and effort. One example is those living with Celiac disease (who must eat a strict gluten-free diet)… gluten-free products are 183% more expensive than their gluten-containing counterparts. Consider that a loaf of gluten-free bread can cost $7 and that loaf is about half the size of a regular loaf of bread. Food allergies may also have indirect costs such as missed work or job loss for taking necessary time off for illness or care.

Photo of child sitting alone at school lunch table.

Mental Health

Living with a food allergy affects your psychological well-being, increasing anxiety, isolation and fear of reaction. Parents and caregivers of those with food allergies can experience increased stress and worry, and develop a sense of hyper-vigilance from constantly having to protect their child from an allergic reaction. To get a sense of this hypervigilance, I reached out to fellow Family and Consumer Sciences OSU Extension Educator, Ken Stewart, who lives with food allergies: “I am constantly checking labels. It’s better now than it used to be because most major allergens are listed on ingredients separately. I see recipes, check the ingredients, and often just don’t continue because I don’t feel like trying to figure out substitutions. There is often peril at potluck dinners. One minute you are eating a sub for lunch and an hour later you’re in the Emergency Room.”

Social

Living with a food allergy affects your social life. Consider classroom parties, birthday parties and other social events where food is often the center of focus. Ken Stewart adds, “I used to avoid other kids’ birthday parties, so I didn’t have to explain why I didn’t want any birthday cake.” Many times, social gatherings happen at restaurants. “Eating out is stressful, especially at a new restaurant,” states Stewart. Those living with food allergies must plan ahead to be sure there will be food safe for them to eat, or plan to bring their own. This is particularly isolating for children, who may feel left out of celebrations as well as normal activities.

For those living with food allergies, every bite counts.

For more information, check out the Food Allergy Research and Education website.

Writer: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County, carter.413@osu.edu

Reviewer: Sofia Carter, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Champaign County, carter.@osu.edu

Contributor: Ken Stewart, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Monroe County, stewart.1982@osu.edu

Tree-mendous Benefits!

With my daughter earning a college degree in forestry and wildlife, I have learned a lot about trees and appreciate all they do for our earth. I am learning to see trees through her eyes and how extremely essential trees are to our very existence. The last Friday of April is Arbor Day, a day dedicated to planting and caring for trees.  We recognize the importance of trees for their ecological and environmental benefits, such as air and water purification, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity protection.

View looking up into forest, with sunlight coming through the trees

Trees provide numerous health benefits to humans. Trees improve our air quality by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen. Trees provide shade and cool the air through a process called transpiration. Trees also help by enhancing green spaces, which encourage outdoor activities and can improve cardiovascular health and reduce obesity. Trees can also improve our mental health. Spending time around trees and nature has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Exposure to green spaces with trees can enhance mood, improve attention, and reduce behavioral problems, especially in children.

Trees benefit the environment in many ways, such as preventing floods by absorbing rainwater, which reduces runoff and soil erosion. Trees also provide habitats for various species, contributing to biodiversity and a healthier ecosystem. Trees help slow the progress of climate change by cooling the air. This can be especially important in urban areas, where buildings and pavement absorb and retain heat, creating heat islands which can be five to eight degrees warmer than surrounding areas.

View looking up a large tree with sunlight and blue sky above it

You can get involved in celebrating Arbor Day by donating to tree-planting organizations or volunteering for an organization to plant trees locally. If you have the right space in your yard to plant your own tree, consider selecting a tree native to your area, to support the ecosystem and attract native wildlife. For Ohioans, this fact sheet describes native trees that enhance biodiversity. You can find native trees in local nurseries or by ordering through online sources or mail catalogs. There are many factors to consider in selecting the right tree and the right location. This brochure from the Ohio Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture details proper tree planting steps. The Arbor Day Foundation also has guidelines and tips for planting trees.

With all these amazing, tree-mendous benefits, consider what you can do to support the planting of trees in your community and worldwide.

Writer: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County

Reviewers:

Sofia Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Champaign County

Allie Carter, Forestry & Wildlife Undergraduate Student, The Ohio State University.

Sources:

6 Ways Trees Benefit All of Us. (2025 Feb 3) The Nature Conservancy. https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/build-healthy-cities/cities-stories/benefits-of-trees-forests/

 

Understanding Food Allergies

Food allergies are an increasing public health concern that affect six percent of adults and about eight percent of children in the United States. Food allergy is a serious and potentially life-threatening adverse reaction to consuming certain foods and affects 33 million Americans. One in every 13 children has a food allergy—that equates to about two in every classroom in America. Food allergies are serious: every 10 seconds, a food allergy reaction sends a patient to the emergency room.

What Causes a Food Allergy?

The body’s immune system is responsible for identifying and destroying germs that cause illness. A food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakes a harmless food protein for a bacteria or virus. When a person with a food allergy eats, touches, or inhales a certain protein in food, the immune system produces an antibody to attack it. The next time the person eats, touches, or inhales that same allergen, it binds to the antibodies, causing cells to release chemicals that trigger symptoms. The onset of reaction to a food allergen can range from minutes to hours, and symptoms can vary from mild to life-threatening.

The nine most common food allergens are milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame. The United States Department of AgricultureUSDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have laws which require all the ingredients in a food product to be listed on the food label. People can be allergic to foods other than the nine most common. Unfortunately, these allergens can hide in unexpected places, and may not be listed on food labels.

hands holding a jar

Food Allergies Are Serious

Food allergy may occur in response to any food, and some people are allergic to more than one food. Food allergies may start in childhood or as an adult. You can develop a food allergy at any age, even to a food that you’ve safely eaten before.  Although there is no ‘cure,’ children may outgrow a food allergy over time.

Food allergies should always be taken seriously, as they are potentially life-threatening. Food allergies differ from food intolerances, and symptoms may overlap with those of other medical conditions. It is very important to have a food allergy confirmed by an evaluation with an allergy specialist.

Support for those with Food Allergies

Although it can be a challenge to live with a food allergy, it’s helpful to understand the allergy and how to avoid it. Thankfully there are entire organizations dedicated to providing support and resources for those living with food allergies. For more information, check out the Food Allergy Research and Education website.

Writer: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County, carter.413@osu.edu

Reviewer: Ken Stewart, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Monroe County, stewart.1982@osu.edu

Sources:

Food Allergy and Research and Education https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/what-food-allergy

Food Safety and  Inspection Service https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/food-allergies-big-9#:~:text=What%20Is%20a%20Food%20Allergy,are%20caused%20by%20certain%20proteins

National Institutes of Health https://www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/food-allergy-causes-prevention

College Send-Off: Are You Ready?

College is a time of transition and can be extremely challenging for the student and the parents. You may have been preparing your child for college since the day she was born, but how prepared are you as a parent, to let her go?

Here are some tips to ease the transition:

Adjust expectations… for yourself and your child. Don’t expect that everything will go smoothly. There may be a struggle in the classroom or dorm room… and that is all part of the process of growing up and figuring it out. Realizing ahead of time that there will be difficulties may help the parent and child form more realistic expectations. Remind your young adult how long it takes to form friendships. They may not find “their people” right away. Offer support but allow your child to work through the struggle.

Embrace your new parenting role. You’re not completely letting go, but your parenting role is shifting. Your child still needs you… for support and guidance, even though they are growing in independence and making many of their own decisions. You are now parenting an adult. A recent study found that three out of five of students reported that their relationship with their parents improved since starting college. The parent child relationship changes from dependence to interdependence.

My husband, my daughter and I at college orientation at the Ohio State University.
My husband, my daughter and I at college orientation for The Ohio State University

Make a plan for connecting. Discuss with your future college student about how frequently and in what ways they would like to connect… talk, text, video calls or visits. Whatever the format, plan to connect at regular intervals. You could even include the family pet in the video chat. It’s healthy to give them plenty of space, while still letting them know you’re interested and want to stay in touch.

Ask good questions. The most helpful session at my daughter’s college orientation was one for parents on how to best support their college student. The presenter shared “One of the best ways to love the people around you is to learn how to ask good questions.” Ask questions that get at deeper meaning than simple facts. Here are some great examples: What have you been thinking about this week? Where do you feel most yourself (your best self) on campus? How are you feeling about the friendships you’re making? Easier or harder than you expected? Who really seems to get you? When do you feel like you were really thriving this semester?

Encourage independence. Next time your child comes to you with a problem, ask what they think they should do. And then talk through some possible steps and outcomes. Refrain from giving advice and let experience be the teacher. Trust the roots you’ve given your child. Now help them stretch their wings.

Connect with other parents. Talking with other parents who are going through the same transition can help soothe emotions and concerns. If you’re a little anxious about sending your young adult off to college, you’re certainly not alone… I’m right there with you!

Writer: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County, carter.413@osu.edu

Reviewer: Misty Harmon, Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Perry County, harmon.416@osu.edu

Sources:

DeBusk, E. “School of Environment and Natural Resources: Orientation and Parent Supporter session.” June 2022. The Ohio State University.

Harmon, M. They Have Wings, Just Teach Them How to Fly. Live Healthy Live Well. The Ohio State University Extension. May 2022. https://livehealthyosu.com/2022/05/24/they-have-wings-just-teach-them-how-to-fly/

How to Emotionally Prepare as a Parent Before You Send Your Kid to College. Parents.com. March 2021. https://www.parents.com/parenting/how-to-emotionally-prepare-as-a-parent-before-you-send-your-kid-to-college/

Thurrott, S. 7 College Tips for Parents and Guardians: Adjusting to Parenting an Adult. Azusa Pacific University. November 2019. https://www.apu.edu/articles/7-college-tips-for-parents-adjusting-to-parenting-an-adult/

Wong, A. How College Changes the Parent-Child Relationship. The Atlantic. Sept 2019. https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/09/how-college-changes-parent-child-relationship/598630/

From Languishing to Flourishing

 

sun shining on a bed of wildflowers

As health restrictions are lifting from the pandemic, I have been able to interact with more people in person. When others ask how I’m doing, I say “fine” … but what I really want to say is “meh.” I’m doing okay… not depressed… but not great either. I find that I really have to psyche myself up for another week of work, and for certain tasks at work and home. I usually rise to the occasion, but it takes a lot of energy to overcome the urge to seek the solitude or even the isolation that I thought I couldn’t wait to escape.

A colleague pointed me to an enlightening article on languishing and it captured so much of what I have felt in the past few months. Psychologists describe languishing as slightly withered, wilted or faded. The pandemic has left a lot of people feeling this way. Initially, the pandemic may have incited feelings of fear, anxiety, dread and paralysis… and as these feelings have faded, they have left languish in their wake.

Emory University Professor Corey Keyes has been publishing about languishing since 2002, but it took the pandemic to bring greater attention to this work. Keyes describes languish as the absence of feeling good about life and lacking purpose or meaning in one’s life. Languish is the middle ground between depression and optimal well-being or flourishing. While depression is clinically diagnosable with the presence of certain behaviors, languish is feeling indifference, emptiness, and stagnation. Keyes’ research found languish to be a predictor of developing depression and anxiety as well as increased risk of suicide attempts. We need to acknowledge and treat languish so it doesn’t turn into depression later, and so we can live our best lives.

How do we move from languishing to flourishing? Thankfully, there are research-backed steps we can take. In fact, there are entire programs at universities dedicated to helping others flourish: The Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University, Institute for the Study of Human Flourishing at the University of Oklahoma, and The Wellbeing at Work project at the University of Notre Dame. Here are some of their highlights:

Name your feelings – It helps to identify emotions and give them a name. Once you identify languish and name it, you can start to deal with it. You might start to notice examples of it all around you in family members, friends, co-workers.

Find your flow – Flow can be described as feeling fully engaged or even engrossed in an activity that motivates and excites you. For me recently, that has been home improvement projects, from the smallest detail like a broken switch plate cover, to larger re-wiring or painting projects. As long as I have something to keep me focused, I can find my flow. As one project concludes, I line up another. Perhaps the activity that will get you into flow is learning something new. The act of learning a new task or skill can engage your brain and sharpen your focus.

Free yourself from disruptions – Give yourself what your brain might be craving: time to become engrossed in an activity and let it captivate you. We find joy and purpose when we can gain a sense of progress on an activity or task.

Focus on a small goal – Is there a goal you can set to increase your skills or strengthen your resolve? Find a challenge that is meaningful to you and commit time to it each day.

Cultivate gratitude – Recognize and savor the good in your present situation. Imagine your best possible self, and volunteer or provide acts of kindness for others to make your best self a reality.

Start wherever you are… and if that is languish, decide to take a small step toward blooming and flourishing. If languish is like a fading photograph, then imagine steps toward flourishing as a color touch-up, bringing vibrancy back into your life. Share your journey with someone, as you just might help them out. It could be refreshingly authentic to answer ‘meh’ next time someone asks how you are doing.

Written by: Shannon Carter, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Fairfield County

Reviewed by: Jenny Lobb, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Franklin County

Sources:

Grant, A. (2020). There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing. New York Times. Published April 19, 2021, Updated May 5, 2021

Keyes, C.L. (2002). The Mental Health Continuum: From Languishing to Flourishing in Life. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 43(2), 207-222. doi:10.2307/3090197

Keyes, C. L., Dhingra, S. S., & Simoes, E. J. (2010). Change in level of positive mental health as a predictor of future risk of mental illness. American journal of public health, 100(12), 2366–2371. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2010.192245

VanderWeele, T.J. (2017). On the promotion of human flourishing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 31:8148-8156.