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Food allergies don’t just bring the fear of anaphylaxis. They also bring unique social challenges that are often overlooked. In this episode, I sit down with psychologist clinician and researcher Dr. Melissa Engel, whose recently published paper introduces a new model for understanding social anxiety related to food allergies.

We discuss why this distinction matters, especially for adolescents navigating peer relationships, independence, and identity alongside food allergies. Dr. Engel shares her hopes that this framework will inspire better screening, more targeted treatments, and a broader acknowledgment of the emotional toll that living with food allergies can take.

If you’ve ever felt that the mental health aspects of food allergies aren’t fully recognized, this conversation will validate your experience and point toward a future where research and care finally catch up to what families and patients already know.

Read Dr. Engel's paper here:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12400901/

Center for Food Allergy And Asthma Research (CFAAR):
https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/cfaar/index.html

Episode 32 with Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard mentioned in our discussion:
https://dontfeedthefear.buzzsprout.com/2371319/episodes/17506930-building-bravery-tackling-allergy-anxiety-with-dr-katherine-dahlsgaard

Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme!
www.kyledine.com

Find Dr. Whitehouse:
-thefoodallergypsychologist.com
-Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist
-Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist
-welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

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In this episode of Don’t Feed the Fear, Emery Brown, school psychologist and FAACT’s Behavioral Health Director, joins me to talk about how parents and schools can better support children with food allergies. We explore practical strategies that help children and their parents feel safe, understood, and able to thrive. This episode is packed with helpful tips from Emery's real-life personal and professional experiences, practical skills you can use right away, as well as ideas on how to use the many resources she has created for FAACT's Behavioral Health Resource Center.

Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team | FAACT
Behavioral Health Resource Center | FAACT
Camp TAG | FAACT

Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme!
www.kyledine.com

Find Dr. Whitehouse:
-thefoodallergypsychologist.com
-Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist
-Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist
-welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

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In this episode of Don’t Feed the Fear, the family behind the ADINA Act joins me to talk about the federal bill's recently reintroduction to Congress. The Act seeks to require clear labeling of the Top 9 food allergens and gluten in prescription and over-the-counter medications. It's a critical step toward safety and transparency for people living with food allergies and celiac disease.

We explore the story behind the bill, the urgent need for allergen labeling in medications, and how families, advocates, and clinicians can come together to push for this change.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why allergen labeling in medications matters for millions of families
• Common challenges faced by patients and providers without clear labeling
• How the Adina Act could change the future of allergy care and safety
• Practical ways you can support this legislation right now

ADINA Act – A federal bill, requiring plain language labeling, for all top food allergens and gluten containing grains in medication.

Instagram: @the_adina_act_effort
Facebook: The ADINA Act

Find Your Representative | house.gov
U.S. Senate: Contacting U.S. Senators

Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme!
www.kyledine.com

Find Dr. Whitehouse:
-thefoodallergypsychologist.com
-Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist
-Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist
-welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

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In this episode of Don’t Feed the Fear, Gabby Hemond (@noglutengabby) joins us to talk about being a young celiac influencer diagnosed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk about the unique challenges of navigating a new diagnosis in young adulthood during the global shutdown, the insecurities and uncertainties that came with it, and coping through connecting with others. Gabby shares how she began posting online, the ups and downs of sharing her life so publicly, and continuing to build community for people living with celiac.

Follow Gabby @noglutengabby
Hear Gabby speak at the FAACT Summit 10/3-5/25:
FAACT Allergy Summit

Celiac and kissing study: Smooching Safely: New Study Finds Kissing After Gluten is (Mostly) OK for People with Celiac Disease | Celiac Disease Foundation

Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme!
www.kyledine.com

Find Dr. Whitehouse:
-thefoodallergypsychologist.com
-Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist
-Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist
-welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

Send us a text

This week on Don’t Feed the Fear, I’m joined by Kendra Williams, who lives with celiac disease and has a gluten detection dog Suki trained to keep her safe. In this conversation, we talk about when a food allergy detection dog is a good fit, the role Suki plays in daily life, and how this unique partnership has reduced anxiety and increased her confidence in navigating a gluten-filled world. We also dive into the importance of finding community—both online and in-person—for support and encouragement.

Follow Kendra and Suki @sukipwd
HOME | Celiac Service Dogs

Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme!
www.kyledine.com

Find Dr. Whitehouse:
-thefoodallergypsychologist.com
-Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist
-Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist
-welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

Send us a text

Kayla King (@celiacwithkayla) joins us on Don't Feed the Fear this week for an open and candid conversation about the realities of living with celiac disease. Kayla is a young celiac influencer who speaks candidly about her experiences growing up with celiac disease. Together, we explore the challenges and triumphs of dating, traveling, and developing self-confidence while managing a chronic condition. She also opens up about her journey with binge eating disorder and the connection between celiac and mental health.

This conversation is full of honesty, courage, and resilience — and I’m deeply grateful for Kayla’s willingness to share her story so openly. Whether you’re a parent, a young adult with celiac, or someone who wants to better understand the emotional side of living gluten-free, this episode offers valuable insight and hope.

Trigger warning: This conversation may be a difficult listen for those whose lives have been impacted by eating disorders.

Follow Kayla @celiacwithkayla

FAACT Allergy Summit

Gluten-Free Expos & Events - Wicked Gluten Free

Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme!
www.kyledine.com

Find Dr. Whitehouse:
-thefoodallergypsychologist.com
-Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist
-Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist
-welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

Send us a text

This episode of Don’t Feed the Fear opens our month-long focus on celiac disease with a powerful conversation featuring father and son advocates Jon and Jax Bari. Together, they share their personal experiences with celiac and the urgent need for systemic change—from increased research funding to clearer gluten labeling.

We discuss how advocacy at the family level can create ripples of awareness in schools, communities, and even at the national policy level. Jon and Jax’s story highlights both the daily challenges of living with celiac and the hope that comes from pushing for a safer, more informed future.

For anyone living with or caring for someone with celiac, this episode will leave you informed and inspired to get involved.

Celiac Journey - Celiac Disease Advocacy & Education
Social Media: @celiacjourney and @glutenfinds_pa

Celiac Awareness Night at the Phillies game against the Kansas City Royals on 9/12/25:
https://mlb.tickets.com/schedule/?agency=MLB_MPV&orgid=21#/sales_group_code;salesGroupId=8314


ADINA Act – A federal bill, requiring plain language labeling, for all top food allergens and gluten containing grains in medication.

Gluten-Free Expos & Events - Wicked Gluten Free

Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme!
www.kyledine.com

Find Dr. Whitehouse:
-thefoodallergypsychologist.com
-Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist
-Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist
-welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com

Send us a text

Heading back to school can feel stressful for families managing food allergies. Last year, new recommendations for food allergy management in schools were released, offering schools a roadmap for keeping students safe and included. In this episode, I’m joined by Christine Creter to break down what they mean, how they can be applied, and how parents can utilize them to support their child’s safety and success at school. We hope that as your school year is getting started, this episode will give you practical takeaways to help you breathe a little easier this school year.

FAMS Recommendations: FAMS_ExpertRecs_English_9.18_Final.pdf

Effective Employee Engagement Programs With Creter Group

Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme!
www.kyledine.com

Find Dr. Whitehouse:
-thefoodallergypsychologist.com
-Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist
-Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist
-welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com