Chapter 5: Sports and Food Allergies
One of the most memorable parts of high school for me was being part of the tennis team. I loved getting to play tennis with some of my best friends. I will never forget the fun times we had together. We were a team and we all had each other's back, something that it is nice to have when you have food allergies.
If you are considering playing a sport in high school, here are some things you might want to keep in mind:
If you are considering playing a sport in high school, here are some things you might want to keep in mind:
- You should talk to your coach about your allergies (and asthma too if you have asthma). Although it may be a little embarrassing, it is only fair your coach know so that they can help you in the case of an emergency.
- Take care of yourself. Once you are part of a team, your team is depending on you to be healthy and strong. Don't try and practice if your asthma is flaring or if you feel like you are having an allergic reaction.
- Bring your own snack. A lot of times my team would have snacks at our matches, most of which I was allergic to. Even if you think you aren't allergic to a snack, you never know about the cross contamination, so it is best to bring your own snack. The last think you want is to have an anaphylactic reaction in the middle of a game or practice.
- Label your own water bottle. It is easy to get water bottles mixed up with a teammate's which could result in a reaction if your teammate was eating something you are allergic to. Even though many teams often share water bottles, having your own will help you avoid both allergens and germs and will help insure you always have enough water and that you can have the last sip.
- Get to know your athletic trainer. Many schools have athletic trainers who act as the school nurse for sporting events. Tell him or her about your allergies and other medical conditions so incase you have a reaction while on the court or field, they can help you and will know what to do.