Hi, my name is Kathleen. I’m a Toronto-based writer, a foodie, and most recently, a mom.

Before I had even met my baby boy, I dreamed of the day we’d enjoy “Foodie Fundays” together. I imagined we’d spend Sunday afternoons—just the two of us—trying out new and delicious restaurants in the city.

That dream died the day he was diagnosed with allergies to peanuts, tree nuts (since outgrown), and egg followed by sesame, soy (since outgrown), and sunflower months later. Suddenly, something as simple as running into a cafe in between errands became a scary, stress-filled event. Was I putting my child in danger by simply walking into a coffee shop?

And restaurants? They seemed completely out of the question. Needless to say, I was devastated.

It took a few months before it hit me: It didn’t have to be this bad. 1 in 13 children has a food allergy, so I knew there’d be a community of like-minded parents wanting the same (safe) experiences for themselves and their children.

I decided then and there what my mission would be: to help parents of children with food allergies find allergy-friendly eating spots in Toronto and beyond. Since then, my mission has evolved to include #AllergyMom Meetups (in Toronto and Ottawa, so far), and a community fundraiser & awareness initiative called the Top 10 Challenge.

If you’ve found my site, you’re probably one of those struggling foodies or families. I sincerely hope the information you find here makes your allergy journey a little bit easier. And, if you have an accommodating eating spot or an allergy-friendly product you’d like us to review, please get in touch and I’ll make sure to add it to the list.

Safe appetit!
Kathleen

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Friendly. Supportive. Encouraging.

Want to join a community of like-minded food allergy folk? Join the AllergyBites Community on Facebook. 

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