Thanksgiving is days away, and people are planning menus, grocery shopping, and getting ready for the festivities. However, if you struggle with food allergies, you may need to take extra steps to ensure safety on this food-filled day.
If you suffer from food allergies, allow the team at Bluegrass Family Allergy to help. Contact us today!
Food Allergies When You’re the Guest
When you celebrate Thanksgiving at someone else’s home, you want to make sure they know you are allergic to certain foods. However, you don’t want to overwhelm them with having to make certain dishes prepared just for you. A way to avoid additional work for your host is to bring your own dishes! This will help the host and contribute to the overall dinner.
If you want to go a step further, label each dish. Are you making a gluten-free pie for dessert or a nut-free granola for an appetizer? Place a decorative label near the dish that informs people of its allergy-free qualities. It may help others learn more about allergens, and food can still taste delicious without certain ingredients!
Food Allergies When You’re the Host
When you’re the host and someone that you are preparing Thanksgiving dinner for suffers from food allergies, it’s important to take necessary safety precautions. First, ask questions before preparing the food. It’s vital to find out exactly what the allergen is and what you should avoid.
When you make your dishes, follow these food preparation safety tips before you begin:
- Always wash your hands after touching an allergen
- Keep “safe” and “unsafe” food completely separate
- Make “unsafe” food in a different area of the kitchen
- Use separate utensils while making and serving the food
Just in case an allergic reaction occurs, keep an epinephrine injector nearby. After using this life-saving medicine, call the medical professionals to ensure everything is okay.
Do you think you have a food allergy? Call us at 270-228-2811 to set up an appointment!