Using AI to Empower your Food Allergy Journey

When Kevin was first diagnosed with food allergies 14 years ago, Artificial Intelligence or AI, was nothing more than the stuff of sci-fi movies. In the last couple of years, however, AI has rapidly woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives.

I decided to research this modern technology in hopes of overcoming my biases as a writer.  And what I discovered is that as with any new technology that grows legs and expands quickly, it is important to be cautious, but also open minded. 

Keeping in mind the downsides of AI (potentially inaccurate information, bias in the modeling, etc.) I believe AI can aid in the life of a food allergenic person or parent easier. For example, I just used my AI generator in the following search:

Sent by you:

Send me a recipe for cookies that do not contain wheat, dairy, nut, egg, seafood, and mustard as ingredients?

The search retrieved three recipes, and while two of the four were inclusive of all the allergens I typed, 2 of them met all my restrictions.  But this is certainly better than where we were 14 years ago or even a year ago.

Here is another example:

Sent by you:

help me write an email to a school parent about my child's food allergies and the birthday party they are hosting.

I thought the reply was well-scripted and thorough:

Certainly! Here’s a friendly and informative email that you can send to the school parent hosting the birthday party:

Subject: Food Allergies and [Child’s Name]'s Attendance at [Child’s Name]'s Birthday Party

Dear [Parent’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to reach out regarding the upcoming birthday party for [Child’s Name]. We’re thrilled that [Child’s Name] has been invited and are looking forward to celebrating with their classmates!

However, I’d like to share some important information about [Child’s Name]'s food allergies. [Child’s Name] is allergic to [specific allergens, e.g., peanuts, dairy, eggs, etc.]. While we want [Child’s Name] to enjoy the festivities, we kindly request your assistance in ensuring their safety during the party.

Allergy Details:

• [Specify the allergies and their severity, if known]

• [Mention any cross-reactivity concerns]

Precautions:

• [Ask if there will be any food items containing the allergens]

• [Suggest alternatives or modifications if needed]

• [Highlight the importance of avoiding cross-contamination]

Emergency Plan:

• [If applicable, mention any emergency medications (e.g., EpiPen) and where they are kept]

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in making the party inclusive for all children. If you have any questions or need further details, please feel free to reach out to me.

Thank you for hosting this special celebration, and we look forward to a fantastic time!

There is a reason AI is so popular – it is easy-to-use, fast, and generates replies that are easy to modify or “season to taste.”  I hope this has given you another tool to be empowered in your food allergy journey.