If you or someone in your family has a food allergy, from the moment you wake up and possibly take a vitamin to going on vacation having a snack on that airplane. You need to be concerned about everything you're eating. Lets start with my favorite meal, dessert. I love ice cream, which is a dairy product. And, dairy products are some of the most common allergens. But, there are many milk options that don't come from animals, and they come in ice cream products, too! This soy ice cream is just one example. Another thing to keep in mind with dessert -- sorbet is dairy free, but some sherberts are made with milk. And, if you really have a sweet tooth, try dark chocolate which is made without milk. For alternatives to animal milk, try soy, almond, and rice milks. (PRODUCT SHOT) It's also important to think about what nutrients you're losing when cutting out a certain food product. Fortunately, all of these milk alternatives (SIDEBAR WITH NUTR. INFO) have nearly the same amount of calcium as dairy milk. Almond milk is a great source of calcium, and soy & rice milks are almost always fortified with calcium. Soy milk also comes with an additional punch of protein. So, you'll have a healthy start to your day by using any of these milks with your favorite low-sugar cereal. If someone in your family has a peanut allergy, it's important to pay close attention to the labels of what's in your pantry. Some people can have a peanut allergy so sensitive that even foods processed in a plant that handles peanuts can trigger a reaction. For more obvious problem foods, like peanut butter, it's easier than ever today to find alternatives like almond, cashew, and even sunflower butter if you're allergic to all tree nuts. (PRODUCT SHOTS) (LUNCH/SNACK RECIPE SUGGESTION HERE FROM SHARON). [are there any symptoms of "gluten allergies" that are different from others? This seems to be coming up a lot lately, people wanting to be on gluten free diets etc., do we need to hit that at all?] People with seafood allergies may need to stay away from just shellfish, or in some cases all varieties of fish. If you're extra sensitive to fish, be careful when eating out because the kitchen will often prepare dishes on the same surfaces that were used for fish dishes. Also, vitamins sometimes contain fish oils and other fish products, so make sure to read those labels. When cooking at home, substitute a lean meat like chicken (OR OTHER - SHARON) in a fish dish. You'll be losing heart-healthy fats called omega-3's and vitamin-B by cutting fish out of your diet, so grab these vitamin supplements so you're not missing out. A wheat, or gluten, allergy means that grains like barley, wheat, and oats are off-limits. So, for a recipe that calls for these, substitute with rice or corn. You'll need to be careful with Gluten. It can be hidden in many foods like soy sauce and salad dressings. I checked the labels at the supermarket and picked out this salad dressing which is gluten-free (GLUTEN FREE LABEL SHOT). More products are beginning to advertise with a gluten-free label to make it easier for you to make safe choices, so keep your eye out. Living with a food allergy can be a good thing. It'll make you pay attention to what's going onto the dinner plate, and where nutrients are coming from. With some experimentation, you'll discover a whole new world of safe, delicious ingredient alternatives and recipes. Thanks for being a part of HealthiNation. [not sure this ending is the only one we want. Maybe something less tied to our "cooking segments"] Watch our other cooking segments for more recipe ideas that work for your healthy lifestyle.