Food Allergy Anxiety in Teens

Welcome to a new episode of the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations podcast. This episode is part of our food allergies and mental health series. It focuses on teenagers with food allergies and the challenges they face as they grow more independent.

In this episode, co-hosts Payel Gupta, MD, and Kortney are joined by Tamara Hubbard, MA, LCPC, a licensed counselor who specializes in food allergy mental health – and is a food allergy parent herself. Together they talk about what food allergy anxiety looks like in teenagers, why some teens start taking more risks as they get older, and what parents can do to help.

Check out the podcast on ItchPodcast.com or download it for listening anytime, anywhere!

Listen to Teen Food Allergy Anxiety Podcast

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Thank you to Genentech and Kaléo for supporting this episode.

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.

Key Takeaways about Food Allergy Anxiety in Teens

Teenagers are not just older kids. Their brains are still developing, they are gaining more independence, and they are figuring out who they are. A food allergy adds another layer. Understanding what is really going on can help parents show up in the right way.

  • What makes teens a high-risk group. More independence and less parental supervision can lead to unsafe choices.
  • What food allergy risk-taking looks like. Not reading labels, not carrying epinephrine, not speaking up. It is often more about fitting in than not caring.
  • Food allergy social anxiety. Fear of looking different or being a burden can impact a teen’s behavior just as much as fear of a reaction.
  • Why parental anxiety matters. How parents talk about food allergies, and how often, directly affects how teens manage their own.
  • How to build confidence in your teen. What to do when your teen seems too anxious or not worried enough.

Timestamps From Our Podcast on Food Allergy Anxiety in Teens

01:35 — Why food allergy teens are a higher risk group

04:04 — What risk-taking behavior looks like

08:20 — Is your teen’s anxiety food allergy related

11:24 — Stress, worry, and anxiety: what is the difference

12:41 — How parental and teen anxiety affect each other

16:33 — When your teen is exhausted by their food allergy

20:45 — How much to involve your teen in allergy plans

25:05 — Grief and sadness in food allergy parenting

26:11 — Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

35:09 — When your teen is dismissive of their food allergy

37:55 — Signs your teen is not coping well

41:20 — The importance of open-ended questions

More Resources About Food Allergy Anxiety in Teens

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