The holidays are filled with many things…. joy, happiness, celebrations, and last but not least- GOOD FOOD. If you’re like us, we spend hours preparing for that turkey dinner and making sure the pie is settled just right. So what about those who have food allergies? How can they overcome the temptation of dipping into that eggnog, or taking a slice of that pumpkin pie? Take a few minutes to learn a few tips to make overcoming the holidays with food allergies a bit easier:
- Hang on to food labels: hosts should hang onto all food labels if they have someone with known food allergies attending their dinner. This way, if there is any question on ingredients, they will be able to reference the label and give the guest the answer they need.
- Go for the “natural” turkey: many turkeys that are pre-basted contain soy, wheat, or dairy. By going for the “natural” turkey, you will be able to avoid these ingredients in your bird this year.
- Bring a dish: For guests that have allergies, they can contribute to the holiday gathering by bringing a “safe” dish that is allergy friendly. This will take some of the stress off the host while allowing the guest to indulge in something they are sure to love.
How common are food allergies you may ask?
Researchers estimate that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies, including 5.9 million children under age 18. That’s 1 in 13 children, or roughly two in every classroom. About 30 percent of children with food allergies are allergic to more than one food. (source: foodallergy.org)
Interested in learning more? Give our office a call to determine if you have food allergies, or to learn more about the treatment that we offer (616) 994-2770.
Want to get cooking? Check out these links for allergy-friendly recipe ideas:
· Food Allergy Research & Education
· National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease
· Consortium of Food Allergy Research
· Choose My Plate
· Kids With Food Allergies Foundation (KFA)
· Eating Well
· NYT cooking