The holiday season is a time for friends,
family, and loved ones to come together under one roof and share meals.
With so many gatherings during this festive period, there's a good
chance you'll be hosting someone with food allergies at your table
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Food allergies can vary significantly in
severity, and not everyone will conform to a one-size-fits-all approach.
However, here are some general tips to help you create a welcoming and
safe environment for all your guests this holiday season.
Offer Allergen-Free Dishes
The most common food allergies are caused by a group of nine foods:
milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat,
soybeans, and sesame. These foods account for about 90% of all food
allergic reactions. In children, milk, eggs, and peanuts are the most
common causes, while shellfish allergies are more frequent in adult
Although it may seem obvious, providing
sufficient options for individuals with food allergies is crucial during
holiday meals.
Consider that some allergens are more prevalent in traditional holiday
dishes than others. For example, it may be more challenging for someone
with dairy or gluten allergies to navigate a typical holiday spread
compared to someone with a nut allergy, as butter, cream, and
wheat-based ingredients are common in festive cooking.
Many individuals with food allergies have been in situations where they
could only eat one or two dishes that didn't add up to a full meal.
During the holidays especially, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a
balanced, filling meal will help prevent people with food allergies from
feeling left out or bothered while everyone else indulges in the feast.
Separate the Food
One of the simplest yet most important things you can do is separate
foods containing allergens from the other foods being served.
While this may sound straightforward—such
as putting dishes on different plates when serving—depending on the
severity of the person's allergies, this can involve preparing dishes
with allergens completely separately. This means:
Using separate containers to store ingredients with allergens
Using different bowls, pots, pans, and cutting boards
Using different cooking and serving utensils (spoons, knives,
spatulas, etc.)
Washing your hands after handling foods with allergens
Using separate bowls and utensils is crucial for preventing
cross-contamination. Though it may not seem like a big deal, a single
utensil or hand touching a dish with allergens could be enough to
trigger an allergic reaction.
Common Misconceptions
Depending on the severity of one's food allergies, preparing a dish with
allergens and then removing them at a later point—for example, nuts in a
salad—may not be a safe or effective approach.
If someone has allergies, you should prepare two separate versions of
the dish: one containing the allergen and one that has never had contact
with the allergen. Alternatively, you could prepare the entire dish
without the allergen, setting it aside separately as an option for
people to add to their own plate if they wish.
Label Dishes
If you're serving a buffet-style holiday spread, labeling is an
effective way to indicate which foods contain allergens and which do
not. This makes it clear which dishes are safe to eat, rather than
leaving people with allergies to guess.
While you could simply state which dishes contain an allergen and which
don't, listing the entire recipe on a label may be more effective,
especially if you're hosting people you don't know well.
Making the contents of each dish clear will
save your guests the guesswork and you the time of having to explain to
everyone who asks. Additionally, if someone wants the recipe for your
famous holiday dish, they can easily take a picture of the label instead
of having to ask you in the middle of hosting.
You may also consider using different colored labels for foods with and
without allergens to make identification even easier.
The most important and effective thing you
can do is communicate with the individual who has the food allergy, even
if you've known them for a long time.
Hearing from them directly about the severity of their food allergy and
their needs will prevent any guesswork on both ends. Having this
confirmation can also be reassuring for both parties as the holiday
gathering approaches.
You may even decide to ask for input from those with food allergies
before deciding what to make for your holiday menu. They can let you
know if they'll be unable to eat certain traditional dishes you're
planning.
They'll also let you know if they'd like everyone at the gathering to be
informed of their allergy. While this can be helpful for some people,
especially those with severe allergies, others may prefer to manage it
on their own without drawing attention.
The Bottom Line
Attending large gatherings during the holiday season may add an
additional layer of considerations if individuals with food allergies
will be present. However, many of these tips are relatively minor
adjustments that can prevent potentially hazardous situations and ensure
everyone enjoys the festivities.
Not all of these measures may be necessary for every guest. Simply
communicating with the affected individual may be enough to ensure they
feel safe and welcome at your holiday table.
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