Holiday gatherings are usually filled with family, friends – and food. Here are some tips from FAACT for traveling during any holiday season, as well as dining in/out to help you avoid any potential dangers!
Car travel during holidays:
Plan your route and note allergy-friendly restaurants to visit along the way.
Eat a good meal before leaving home to help keep everyone full for a longer period of time (and limit the need to eat on the road).
Bring a cooler full of allergy-friendly snacks. Keep the snacks fun and be sure to include a variety of sweet, salty, crunchy, and soft.
Dinner at your house:
Plan in advance what others can bring to the meal. Assign dishes that are less likely to contain allergens.
Ask guests whether they are planning to buy the item or make it from scratch. Discuss label reading and recommend certain brands you know are allergen safe.
Have guests take pictures of labels and text or email you if they have any questions.
Gently (but thoroughly) go over how to avoid cross-contact in the kitchen.
Be in charge of all the baked goods (a frequent source of allergens) and remind guests to not bring gifts containing your allergen(s).
Dinner at a family member or friend’s house:
Contact, or ask the host to contact, everyone attending the meal to politely remind them not to bring any unsafe items.
Offer to arrive early to help clean the kitchen before cooking begins to help prevent risks of cross-contact.
Offer to help the host cook the food.
Feed children a snack before you go so they’re less tempted to grab food when you’re not watching.
Bring separate dishes that you know you and your child can eat.
Remind your child not to eat anything that you haven’t OK’d first.
Dining out during the holidays:
Research restaurants to find out if they’re allergy friendly.
Call ahead to speak with the chef and/or manager and address any concerns.
When at the restaurant, let your server know about the allergy. Ask to speak to the manager and/or chef so you have no doubt that the kitchen has been made aware of your food allergies.
Consider eating at a time that is less busy for the restaurant.
Wishing you safe and Happy Holidays all year through!
