The holidays are coming up, and we know that everyone is looking forward to enjoying a holiday meal with their family and friends. But, for parents of children with food allergies, this time of year can bring uncertainty and unease. Help keep your little ones safe this holiday season with the following food allergy tips!
Call Ahead
If you’re celebrating at a friend or family member’s house, be sure to contact them as soon as possible. Communicating early about the types of food and ingredients that your child is allergic to can help the host plan what food they will be making and give them plenty of time to warn you about which foods contain potentially harmful ingredients.
Bring a Few Safe Foods
To take the pressure off of the host, offer to bring a few dishes that will be safe for your child to eat. This will give you peace of mind knowing that there are no problem-ingredients, and you can ensure that you’re bringing something that your child will like!
Watch Out for Cross-Contamination
Most holiday get-togethers tend to be buffet style. This means that bits of food from other dishes can potentially mix, introducing an allergen to a safe food. Avoid this by suggesting that each dish has a dedicated serving spoon and by placing the safe dishes in one area.
Keep an Eye on the Children
All of the preparation in the world can’t prevent a child’s curiosity! Keep an eye on the children to ensure they’re not sneaking any food that they aren’t supposed to be having. Educate them as to why they have to avoid certain foods beforehand.
Bring Medication With You
Be sure to have Benadryl and an EpiPen ready, just in case your child is exhibiting symptoms of an allergic reaction. Also, educate others at the gathering on how to administer this medication if needed.
Talk With Your ENT
If you have any questions about food allergies, please don’t hesitate to give us a call! Contact us at (309) 589-5900, and we’d be happy to help! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving