Stay Out of Food Allergy Trouble this Holiday Season
Use this food allergy guide to help you enjoy a holiday season safe from food allergy issues.
![woman on the phone](/getattachment/232295b8-146e-429d-8c4b-898949c9ebb4/1_Inform-Party.jpg?lang=en-US&height=507&width=888&ext=.jpg)
Give your host a heads-up.
Politely let your host know about your food allergy needs. Offer to bring safe foods for yourself and to share.
![friends at the dinner table](/getattachment/9bd6fd79-c023-4866-b8ec-3d0b5dd7b306/2_Heads-Up.jpg?lang=en-US&height=507&width=888&ext=.jpg)
Inform guests about dietary restrictions at your party.
Offer to help guests prepare safe foods, or let them bring drinks or holiday-themed plates, cups and napkins, rather than food.
![Family baking cookies](/getattachment/c293dcb9-bd2a-417f-b585-318c4f56d740/2_School-Parties-Baking.jpg?lang=en-US&height=507&width=888&ext=.jpg)
For school parties, be the class baker.
Volunteer to provide the allergen-free snacks for holiday parties at school, or provide the teacher with a box of safe snacks just for your child.
![person looking at food labels](/getattachment/2399bcbb-7765-4a5a-bea4-eec27c0a7089/4_Food-Labels.jpg?lang=en-US&height=507&width=888&ext=.jpg)
Hang on to food labels for party food.
Keep ingredient labels from the food you are serving for food-allergic guests to review before the feast. You could even get creative and make your own fun food labels that feature the package information.
![food prepping vegetables](/getattachment/2ca6041e-4535-425c-a36b-4ed2cbeca92c/5_Cross-Contaminate.jpg?lang=en-US&height=507&width=888&ext=.jpg)
Avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen.
Use a separate cutting board for raw meat, produce and dry goods. Wash kitchen items thoroughly after each use. Use disposable towels to clean countertops and to dry hands.
![Thanksgiving Turkey](/getattachment/bfa89fda-3e62-446c-b19e-b9354283837d/6_Turkey.jpg?lang=en-US&height=507&width=888&ext=.jpg)
Don't overlook the turkey.
A safe choice is a turkey labeled "natural," which by law must be minimally processed and should contain nothing but turkey and, perhaps, water; not soy, wheat or dairy.
![Thanksgiving Turkey](/getattachment/ddd172ef-085f-4e81-b1a6-aa17052d5288/7_EpiPen-(1).jpg?lang=en-US&height=507&width=888&ext=.jpg)
Carry emergency medications.
Always have an epinephrine autoinjector with you in case unrecognized food allergens are hiding in holiday treats.
![couple checking food labels](/getattachment/c31a61ee-729c-4dd4-ac29-83b2bfbef487/8_Investigate-Food-Lables.jpg?lang=en-US&height=507&width=888&ext=.jpg)
Investigate food labels.
Teach family members to become "label detectives," so you know the names of ingredients to avoid. When in doubt, look it up.
![discussing food allergy strategies](/getattachment/210ee9d6-e247-46e4-8ee2-8f24fb2f8714/9_Discuss-with-Allergist.jpg?lang=en-US&height=507&width=888&ext=.jpg)
Discuss strategies with your allergist.
An allergist can help you prepare for the holiday season and suggest allergy avoidance techniques to keep you and your child safe.