Don't Feed the Fear: Allergy Anxiety & Trauma

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In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Zachary Rubin, board-certified allergist-immunologist, educator, and one of the most trusted voices in allergy and immunology on social media.

Dr. Rubin has built a massive following by breaking down complex medical topics with calm, evidence-based guidance. In our conversation, we go beyond viral posts to explore what it actually means to navigate allergic disease in the modern information landscape.

We discuss how social media shapes patient anxiety and expectations, and Dr. Rubin shares insights from his upcoming book All About Allergies, available for pre-order now and releasing in February, which focuses on empowering patients with accurate, compassionate, and practical medical information.

This episode is an invitation to approach health information with curiosity instead of panic, and to remember that good care is about helping people feel better, not just managing symptoms.

Links:
Dr. Rubin: https://www.oakbrookallergists.com/our-team/zachary-e-rubin-md/

Book preorder (releases 2/24/26): https://bookshop.org/p/books/all-about-allergies-everything-you-need-to-know-about-asthma-food-allergies-hay-fever-and-more-zachary-rubin/a2fea4994be4ecf4?ean=9798217047970&next=t

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
[email protected]

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When you live with food allergies, celiac disease, or another chronic condition, your nervous system is asked to stay alert every single day. This ongoing vigilance is not imagined anxiety. It is a physiological adaptation to real risk.

In this guided meditation, Dr. Whitehouse invites you to experience self care as nervous system re-education rather than another task to perform. Through gentle breathing, somatic awareness, and compassionate reflection, you will explore how everyday acts of self-care teach the body that it can be safe, even when you are not perfect, productive, or pleasing others.

This practice is grounded in polyvagal theory and research on chronic illness, anxiety, and self regulation. It is designed for anyone who feels chronically on edge, emotionally exhausted, or unsure how to rest in a body trained to stay alert.

There is nothing broken that needs to be fixed.
You are teaching your nervous system something new.

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
[email protected]

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Self-care is often framed as indulgent, aesthetic, or optional, but for individuals and families managing food allergies or other chronic conditions, it is essential.

In this solo episode, I explore misconceptions about self-care means, and how it is uniquely difficult in food allergy and celiac life.

This episode covers:

• Why food allergy management creates chronic nervous system activation
• Why our nervous systems resist self-care
• How self-care functions as nervous system regulation, not indulgence

This conversation is for anyone who feels like self-care is a luxury or a burden rather than a necessity.

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
[email protected]

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This guided pranayama meditation is led by Dr. Gary Soffer, allergist-immunologist and integrative medicine physician, and was recorded as part of our New Year conversation on health, healing, and self-care (episode 57).

In this practice, Dr. Soffer offers a gentle, accessible breathing technique drawn from yogic traditions and adapted by Dr. Andrew Weil. This practice is a gentle introduction to pranayama perfect for beginners. It is supportive for those managing food allergies, chronic illness, health anxiety, or caregiver stress.

This track is offered as a companion to the full podcast episode with Dr. Soffer, and can be revisited whenever you need a moment of grounding.

Follow Dr. Soffer on IG @garysoffermd

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
[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

As we begin a new year and many are reflecting on their health and recommitting to self-car, this episode invites a deeper, more expansive conversation about what health actually means, especially for those living with food allergies, chronic illness, or caregiver stress.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Gary Soffer, allergist-immunologist and integrative medicine physician, for a thoughtful discussion about the intersection of conventional medicine and integrative care. Dr. Soffer shares his path into integrative medicine, common misconceptions about what it is (and isn’t), and why approaches rooted in ancient traditions (breathwork, meditation, yoga, mindfulness) remain profoundly relevant in modern medical care.

Dr. Soffer's perspective offers powerful mindset shifts for how patients and caregivers can relate differently to their health, their symptoms, and the medical system itself.

Instead of the usual 3 Action Steps at the end of the episode, we concludes with three rounds of a gentle guided pranayama breathing practice led by Dr. Soffer. This short and simple exercise is a perfect way for beginners to learn a new practice.

Follow Dr. Soffer on Instagram @garysoffermd

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
[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

In this inspiring New Year episode, Riya Jain joins us to share how growing up with food allergies fueled The Land of Can book series. She is a young entrepreneur, author, and food allergy advocate who won a major venture prize at Duke her freshman year to develop her business.

Riya also talks about participating in an upcoming documentary about food allergies, what it's like being the daughter of a leading allergy researcher, and forging her own path.

At a time of year when many of us are reflecting on our resolutions, Riya reminds us to embrace what we CAN do. 

https://thelandofcan.com/
https://www.justlikeyoufilms.org/
https://yobeecare.com/

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
[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

This episode is a heartwarming and eye-opening look at what life is like with a food allergy detection dog. My guest, Natalie Rice, shares how their family decided to train a peanut detection dog to help manage her daughter's food allergy. Natalie shares how having this remarkable companion has transformed daily life, and how she is using Harley's skills to help others with allergies, too.

We also discuss:

• How Harley alerts for allergens, and Natalie's handling process
• What life looks like day-to-day with a working allergy dog
• How a detection dog supports emotional well-being as much as physical safety

Whether you’re considering a detection dog, have always been curious about how they work, or just love a good story about the bond between humans and dogs, this episode is heartwarming all around.

https://www.detectiveharleyfadd.com/
@detectiveharleyfadd

Harley's trainer: @noseydogdetection

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
[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Food should bring joy, comfort, nourishment, and safety, but food allergies and chronic illness often turn food into something stressful, restrictive, or scary.

Lauren Less, creator of Less with Laur, is here to talk about her experiences with adult-diagnosed food allergies, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).

Lauren brings her training as a mental health professional and her passion for healthy, mindful cooking and living into a conversation about how living with food allergies and restrictions can affect mental health, body image, and identity. Together, we explore how to begin restoring joy, creativity, and connection in the kitchen again.

Lauren opens up about her transition out of the mental health field, the lessons she’s carried forward into her work, and the practical ways she helps people find peace with food again. 

Follow Lauren:
https://lesswithlaur.com/
@lesswithlaur 

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
[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

This 11-minute guided reflection helps food allergic/celiac individuals and food allergy parents pause, reset, and listen to their own internal “yes” and “no” signals during the busy holiday season. Using gentle, polyvagal-informed cues and somatic reflection, you’ll explore what feels nourishing versus uncomfortable and create an internal guide for identifying boundaries to honor this holiday season and all year long. This practice supports nervous system regulation, reduces stress, and helps you navigate holiday expectations with clarity, compassion, and confidence. 

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
[email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

In this special crossover episode, Dr. Whitehouse shares a recent guest appearance on The Itch Podcast (episode 132), where she joined hosts Dr. Payel Gupta and Kortney Kwong Hing for an open and compassionate conversation about navigating difficult family interactions during the holiday season. Together, they unpack how to set and maintain boundaries, communicate effectively, and stay grounded in the face of emotional triggers, expectations, and family histories.

This episode offers both validation and practical strategies for anyone who finds the holidays to be more complex than joyful. It’s about protecting your peace, holding compassion for yourself and others, and remembering that it’s okay to celebrate the season in a way that honors your emotional wellbeing.

Find The Itch wherever you get your podcasts:
https://www.itchpodcast.com/
@theitchpodcast

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
[email protected]