FAACT's Roundtable

Ep. 210: Keeping Food Allergy Social Media About the FAACTs

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Many people discover the latest news, events, and conversations on social media, but how do food allergy influencers navigate and balance sharing their personal experience with education and evidenced-based science to ensure viewers receive accurate information? Popular food allergy influencer Mia Silverman is joining us today to discuss how she uses social media to impact our food allergy world!

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Caroline: Welcome to FAACT's Roundtable, a podcast dedicated to navigating life with food allergies across the lifespan. Presented in a welcoming format with interviews and open discussions, each episode will explore a specific topic, leaving you with the facts to know or use. Information presented via this podcast is educational and not intended to provide individual medical advice. Please consult with your personal board certified allergist or healthcare providers for advice specific to your situation. Hi everyone. I'm Caroline Moassessi, and I am your host for FAACT's Roundtable Podcast. I am a food allergy parent advocate and the founder of the Gratefulfoodie blog, and I am FAACT's Vice President of Community Relations. Before we start today, I just want to say thank you to Genentech for sponsoring FAACT's Roundtable Podcast. Many people discover the latest food allergy news, events and conversations on social media, but how do food allergy influencers share their personal experience with education and evidence based science to ensure that their followers are receiving accurate information? Popular food allergy influencer Mia Silverman is joining us today to discuss how she uses social media to impact our food allergy world. Welcome, Mia, to FAACT's Roundtable Podcast. You're joining us again today to talk about social media and to share again your wisdom and your experience experiences using social media and reaching out to the community. So welcome.

Mia: Thank you for having me again. I'm so excited to be here. Long time no see.

Caroline: Before we get started, though, can you share your food allergy life with listeners so they can just get to know you a little bit better? Because they maybe not have heard you on the previous podcast, which will be listed in the show notes. So, people, if you're listening for the first time today, you will get a chance to hear Mia again. But if you don't mind just sharing a little about yourself.

Mia: Yeah, so I've had allergies all my life. I was diagnosed when I was probably about almost two years old. I'm allergic to, like, over 50 foods, and I'll read down, like, a list of my most severe allergies that I have. Buckle up, get ready, because it's quite long. So I'm allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, lupine, and then all their oils. I'm allergic to all seeds, except I could have sunflower seed oil. But any other seed, like poppy seeds, flax seeds, any other seed, sesame seeds is a big no no. And I can't have their oils either. I'm allergic to eggs, except if it's baked in a cake because it's cooked for a long time and it gets diluted or something with chemistry and science happens where I can have it. Gonna have dairy? Only if it's cooked for a long time or, like, under really hot heat, I can have it. But if it's uncooked, like milk or ice cream, big no no. I'm allergic to all fish except for tuna if it's cooked. And I just outgrew my cod allergy. So now I can have cod, which is. Yay. And I am fully allergic to all shellfish as well. Eggplant, zucchini, watermelon, apples, peaches, cherries, smoked paprika, which is a spice. Sumac, which is also a spice. Tarragon, certain natural flavors and additives, preservatives, MSG, Xanthan gum, annatto, carotene, and then sulfates and red wine. Those are ones that I'm most severe and concerned about, and I've had this all my life. I've only outgrown probably five allergies in my lifetime, and now I'm 21, so that's not really a lot. And I navigate these every day. I'm a college student. I'm entering my fourth year at NYU, which is super exciting, and I have this allergy TikTok page that I do, which is super exciting and fun too, so. Yeah.

Caroline: Well, thank you. Now, I remember watching some of your very first posts and reels, like, on Instagram and TikTok, and thinking, I like this young woman who is sharing so honestly and who's relatable to teens and college students and even young families. I mean, you just. You have this way, this gift, you know? And I kept thinking, you know what? She's gonna save lives, because you're gonna share information that people need to hear. And then now here you are. You are considered a very successful influencer. So now can you share how you started and why you started? Like, why did you even go to social media?

Mia: Yeah. So, honestly, it was an accident, but a great accident. So during COVID I was making TikToks just, like, for fun, and I had a few thousand followers, but nothing serious. And then I've always been very insecure about my allergies and just never really felt like I could find anyone that was like me. I just felt very alone, which is understandable. And so I made a TikTok one day, like March 2020, just where I listed all my allergies, just for fun, because I felt it was, like, quirky or silly, goofy, whatever. I posted it, and then overnight, it got a million views, and I was like, oh, my gosh. Whoa. This is crazy. And I was like, mom, dad, look, I got a million views. Like, Mia, this is your golden ticket. This could be your, like, your time to shine. Like, keep posting, keep posting. I noticed that the comments were saying, like, people were saying, oh, my gosh, I'm allergic to these things, too. I don't feel alone. And I was like, wow, it's not just me, me. I kept posting because I wanted to find a sense of community, and I ended up finding that community, which is super amazing. And so from there, I kept posting. So I kept posting. I still post to this day. So it's been over four years now. And I continued posting because I noticed that I was also helping people. I received messages from allergy moms and dads and teachers and people that don't even have allergies. Like, wow, this is super educational. I learned so much, so I realized I was helping people. As long as I can help one person, then I've done my job, which I've obviously helped a lot of other people, which is really incredible. I'm able to do that. So I just kept posting because I really wanted to spread awareness about allergies because I, you know, I feel like the world is really ignorant a lot of the times, and I feel like people need to know about allergies and that they're really serious, not something to joke about. They are life threatening. And so I want to just get the word out as much as I possibly can. Can. That's why I continue posting about it so.

Caroline: Well. We're happy you do. So now, as a former influencer myself, I used to have a mommy blog. It was really critical to me to only share medically and scientifically vetted information with my followers. So sharing knowledge with the public, it carries this kind of ethical burden. Right, because you want to make sure you're not sharing something that could send someone down the wrong path. So now let's discuss, though, when you choose to post, how do you craft your content? And with keeping some of that in mind.

Mia: Yeah. So that's a really great question. And something that I always think about is, I don't want to post, like, medical advice because I'm not a doctor. I'm a 21 year old college student, so nothing near that. So I've only been really posting content about my life as having someone that has allergies, strictly. This is like, my journey. And if you resonate with it, amazing. If you don't, that's also okay, too. I will not post content about food allergy life hacks to not like react to certain foods like certain treatments like that. I will not post because that is not my job. That's something that Doctor Rubin can post about, for example, he can post that, not me. I will post simply about my day to day life and how allergies impact that life of mine. And maybe I'll post here and there how to use an EpiPen, because that's just something that anyone should know about that has obviously been proven by the FDA and how to use and by lots of research done by lots of doctors and people that are academic or scientists. And maybe I'll post like breaking news, like, oh, Zollaire is now approved for people that, you know, have allergies. I took Zoller many years ago. Didn't work for me, but that's a different story. But I will never post actual medical advice or medical content because that's just, I can't do that because it doesn't feel ethical. And also, it's just not my place. So I only post content about my personal experience and how I approach certain things, like going to a restaurant or dealing with friendship issues or anxiety.

Caroline: So let's dive into that. So what kind of things do you post? So if someone listening today hasn't seen your social media yet, what can they expect?

Mia: Yes. So I post a lot of relatable content. So, for example, one video I posted recently was where I went to a restaurant. I wanted to get a sandwich and I said, hey, I have these allergies, whatever. And they gave me, mind you, I don't have a gluten allergy. Just to preface this, they gave me gluten free bread. And I thought, I never said I have a gluten allergy or wheat allergy. Why didn't they give me gluten free bread? And I thought, this happens to me all the time. But there's no way. It's not just me that experience this. I posted it and thinking, okay, if one other person relates to this, you know what? Not just me. I feel better about this. But no, I got so many comments being like, oh my gosh, this happens to me all the time too. Like, I hate when this happens. It's so annoying. So I just post content like that. I will also post how I order at restaurants, like how I approach it, talking to the manager or the chef. I post what I eat in a day and what I eat with someone that has so many allergies. I post traveling content. I post content about going to school in New York City and like what I eat there. Um, all kinds of things like that. So very much like relatable lifestyle, but I incorporate allergies into every aspect of those videos.

Caroline: That is so fun. And again, listeners, if you haven't gone over to her social media, I highly recommend just to pop in and take a look. It's really. Well, you know, I think so important is keeping the conversation going and normalizing food allergies, too, you know, like, I really feel your social media in particular is global, really universal, you know, where I think someone without allergies will be like, oh, what? She's saying, she's kind of fun, you know, and I think it's a good tool even for people to use. If you're trying to educate a friend, you just say, oh, hey, check out this reel for a sec. And, you know, so I think it's just really kind of powerful, but really fun, too.

Mia: Thank you. Thank you. I try to keep my content light, but also, like, educational and informative because I think that it's good to be light and funny, but also know that there is a serious issue to talk about because food allergies are not something to ever joke about and is a serious topic. So I try to mix those together as best as I possibly can.

Caroline: Looking back at my experience in the early days with social media, there are actually very few haters as compared to today. So how do you deal with people posting negative comments, if they even do?

Mia: Am I getting haters? Is that even a question? Like, girl, I get hate comments on the Daily time. I get DM's, I get comments. I get people who will stitch my videos and be like, this girl is stupid, stupid. This girl is annoying. And we hate her all the time. And I'm obviously human, so I will sometimes have to take breaks because I'm like, this is way too much. I just can't handle it. I don't want to go on Instagram for like, a day. I just need a break. So I do will say I need to take breaks sometimes, as anyone should, because getting, like, he comments all the time, obviously will mess with your mental well being, which it makes you feel bad about yourself or anxious, whatever. But I have learned, maybe because I'm a psychology major, I want to go into that field that I've learned that if someone comments hateful things, they're just projecting and they're actually the ones that are suffering and for the need to hurt other people, for them to feel better, and for that, I just feel sorry for them. I just have learned, you know, what? They're hurting. They need to seek help. And I just wish them that they can, they can be healed and they can feel better because any nice, normal, quote unquote normal person would never go out of their way to calm something really mean and hateful. You have to be hurting inside to do that. So I've learned just, you know what? They're just trolling. They're going through something in their life, and they need to hurt other people to feel better. And also, like, at the end of the day, I'm still getting views and more comments, which benefits me in the end. You know what? Keep the hate comments coming because it helps me. So that's all I got to say about that.

Caroline: Such a great perspective. I love it. I love your energy. That is such a great outlook on it. So our time is coming toward an end. Is there anything else that you want to talk about? Anything else you want the listeners to hear from you regarding social media?

Mia: Yeah, I say I think social media is obviously, it's a lot, but it can be used as a tool to educate people and spread awareness. So I think if you want to start making tiktoks about it or reels, do it like, this is your sign to do it because you could really help at least one person. And I think that, I mean, I receive hate comments all the time, but it also shows me that the world is still full of so much ignorance. We need to keep posting more and keep doing our job. So this is your sign. If you want to advocate whatever way that means to you, whether that's talking to, like, your local government in your town or posting TikToks, do it because you could really change people's lives. So. And also, you're not alone. There's a whole community, people out there like you and me. I also wanted to say that I think my story, where I've been able to turn something negative into a positive, should also inspire you. Because even though, like, having food allergies kind of sucks, there are positives to that. So I think it's important for you to find those positives and the negatives and own it and be empowered by your allergies and not let them. What's the word? Like, take you down, tear you apart? Because you can live a good life, too, with allergies. Like, if I can do it, you can do it. And it's very, very possible. So just own your allergies. Be confident in yourself, because it makes you you, makes you unique, and that's what matters. The world needs more unique people. So that's what makes the world go around, you know.

Caroline: Mia, thank you. Those are just perfect words to end by. And listeners, before we recorded today, I actually gushed all over Mia because I was just so happy for her energy and her youthfulness and her honesty, and that's so much of what we need right now. And so I just appreciate, Mia, the work that you do, and I'm so glad you chose us in this community to do this kind of work in cause you've got the right personality. So thank you so much for your time and being with us again. And I I look forward to having you on this podcast again in the future as well.

Mia: Amazing. Thank you so much for having me. I'm so honored to be here. So thank you very much.

Caroline: I want to pause for just a moment to tell our listeners about an exciting and unique opportunity taking place this November for our food allergy community. FAACT is hosting the FAACT digital Influencer Summit from November 7 through the 10th. This unique summit unites the allergy community as well as medical experts and the companies who support allergy living, management and safety at one event so that we can make a meaningful impact and difference for the allergy patients and their families. There will be dual tracks focused on disease management and digital online information, plus a company expo so you can learn more from our partners and allergy friendly companies. Our goal and mission of this in person only summit is to bring everyone together to form lasting new connections, empowering, learning, teaching and sharing with one another that benefit everybody involved. We will host a welcome reception on Thursday evening and then three days of sessions Friday through Sunday, with lunch and dinner provided each day. The link to learn more about FAACT'sdigital influencer summit will be in the show notes we hope you can all join us. Before we sign off today, I just want to take one more moment to say thank you to Genentech for sponsoring FAACT's Roundtable podcast. Thank you for listening to FAACT's Roundtable podcast. Stay tuned for future episodes coming soon. Please subscribe, leave a review, and listen to our podcast podcast on Pandora, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio and Stitcher. Have a great day and always be kind to one another.