Boundaries and Communication in Food Allergy Families

Welcome to the latest episode of the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations podcast. In this episode, our podcasters talk about how food allergies can affect family relationships. When you learn how to talk with family and set healthy boundaries, you can keep everyone food allergy-safe and reduce stress.

Our co-hosts, Payel Gupta, MD, and Kortney are joined by Amanda Whitehouse, PhD, a psychologist and food allergy mom. Together, they talk about how families can communicate better and how to stay calm when emotions run high. Dr. Whitehouse also shares tips for talking with extended family, managing holidays, and supporting kids and siblings who live with food allergies.

You can listen to the podcast on ItchPodcast.com or download it for listening anytime, anywhere, at:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Any mention of brands is also informational and not an endorsement. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical questions or concerns.

Thank you to Genentech for sponsoring this podcast episode.

How families talk about food allergies: key takeaways from our podcast

Living with food allergies can affect the whole family. In this podcast, we share ways to make family life safer and calmer when food allergies are involved:

  • Everyone handles stress differently. Some people want to fix things right away, while others avoid talking about them.
  • Stay calm. Notice when you feel stressed and take a short break before things get worse.
  • Set clear boundaries. It’s okay to explain what feels safe and to walk away if others don’t respect that.
  • Work with your partner. Talk about plans for family events ahead of time and back each other up.
  • Include children and siblings. Ask for their thoughts and make them part of the allergy safety team.
  • Understand older relatives. They may have different ways of communicating or handling challenges. Try to approach those moments with patience and care.

Timestamps for our podcast about food allergy communication

02:07 – Common family challenges and coping styles

03:23 – How to identify your coping style

06:52 – Managing different comfort levels with food allergy safety

11:08 – What it means to stay “regulated” in tough conversations

14:17 – How to set and communicate boundaries

20:45 – Working with your partner and staying on the same page

26:09 – Including kids in allergy conversations

32:29 – Supporting siblings without food allergies

38:18 – Understanding grandparents’ communication styles

More resources about food allergies

Check out more podcast episodes about food allergies!