Food Allergy Reviews: Why Sharing Your Food Allergy Experience is So Important
On my last trip to a resort in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera region, I walked over to a drink station in the dining area, where fresh juices and smoothies were being made. I saw a variety of different concoctions, and was interested in starting the day with one of these seemingly healthy creations. The individual ahead of me at the station ordered a banana smoothie, and the resort employee went to work on making the drink. A banana went in, then some honey, then some milk, then a spoonful of peanut butter. This caught my attention.
I know that many people affected by food allergies are vigilant about asking about ingredients and ensuring that the food they order is safe when eating away from home. But what about the drinks served at a tropical resort?
I didn’t order a drink at the smoothie station, but I stayed around to observe how things were being done. As I suspected, the blenders being used to create the drinks were not being thoroughly washed between orders. At that moment, I was struck with the thought, “People with peanut allergies need to know about things like this!” If you have a peanut allergy and you are planning a visit to this resort, wouldn’t you want to know about what goes on at this drink station? I would.
During the summer of 2009, I realized that navigating the world with a food allergy is easier when you have knowledge about the road ahead from someone who’s already been there. I believe that food allergies demand our respect and vigilance, but they do not have to be a major force for limitation. For this reason, I started AllergyTrails.com, which has always allowed individuals and families affected by food allergies to read and write allergy reviews about their experiences managing food allergies at restaurants and on airlines. Recently, we released new features so that our members can review their experiences on cruises, at attractions, and at hotels and resorts, like the one I visited. This means that you will still have to be careful at resorts, but with a little bit of information from someone who’s already been there, you won’t have to miss out.
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