Handling the Holidays with Food Allergies
The holiday season is here! With all the family gatherings, travels, and joy the holidays bring comes illnesses, injuries… and allergies. Cheesy casseroles, creamy dips, and homemade goodies will most likely be on the menu, but what can guests with food allergies have? The Food Allergy Research & Education estimates that about 15 million Americans have food allergies, and this includes up to 5 million kids under the age of 18.
Yes, the holidays can present unique challenges for kids with food allergies, as well as their parents. However, food allergies shouldn’t hold you or your children back from enjoying the holidays. Here are some helpful tips from Physicians Premier, your local Potranco ER, that could help alleviate worries and allow both hosts and guests to enjoy the season’s celebrations.
For hosts:
- When preparing food, avoid cross-contamination by practicing cleanliness, especially when it comes to handling and cleaning surfaces and utensils. Always scrub them thoroughly with water and soap, and be sure to wipe clean. Keep in mind that for highly allergic people, trace amounts of food that they’re allergic to can cause a reaction.
- Put some labels. It is always wise to label what you are serving. This is especially true if a dish has gluten or nuts.
- Consider using color-coded tools. A green serving spoon might suggest contact with nuts, while a red spatula might indicate that a particular dish has fish.
For guests:
- Offer to contribute. This may relieve your anxiety, as bringing ‘safe’ dishes for you or your kids will give you peace of mind that your child will enjoy the food and not have an allergic reaction.
- Carry up-to-date medications. Some auto-injectors have a short shelf life.
- Communicate beforehand, or arrive early. This will give you ample time to ask the host what ingredients are in what foods.
- If you have a child who has allergies, remind them not to eat anything if they are unsure. When in doubt, it’s best if they check with you first.
Keeping these tips in mind will help you face the holiday gatherings with a game plan and some food allergy awareness in mind. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at Physicians Premier, your 24/7 Potranco ER.
