Thanksgiving and Food Allergies

September 30, 2009 · Posted in Food Allergy Holidays

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Next weekend is Thanksgiving in Canada. For those with food allergies, family occasions like Thanksgiving can be nightmares and cause additional anxiety. Here are some tips for stress-free entertaining this Thanksgiving.

If You Are A Host
•   Ask your guests ahead of time about food allergies. Most people will be happy to help you work around their food allergies. Ask for suggestions, or accept their offer to bring something to contribute to the meal.
•   Substitutions: Rice bread is an excellent substitute for wheat bread for stuffing (add a little extra spice.) Tapioca starch has the same properties as corn starch or wheat flour, but it is safe for celiacs to consume and thickens gravy easily. Ground rice crispies are a perfect substitute for graham crackers or chocolate crumbs and are measure-for-measure identical for cheesecake crust. If you want a chocolate base, add some cocoa powder to the rice crispies before you add the butter.
•   List: Keep a list of ingredients handy so that guests with food allergies can ensure that they are safe consuming the dish. Don’t be offended if the guest asks about ingredients-they are familiar with brands and contents.
•   Dessert. Most cheesecake recipes are simple to make and are easily adaptable to celiacs. Rice pudding is a safe choice, and there are some crustless pumpkin pie recipes easily accessible on the internet.
•   Relax. No one goes out of their way to make a person sick. Your guest will appreciate your efforts to accommodate their food allergies, and will be happy to provide you with information. Relax and enjoy the celebration.

If You Are A Guest
•   Talk to your host ahead of time.  Be prepared to educate your host about what you can safely eat. Make sure you reassure your host and focus on the positive (what you CAN eat ) rather than the negative (what you cannot eat). Turkey is safe to eat if you skip the gravy and stuffing. Ham is usually safe but be careful if you are sensitive to corn-some hams contain corn syrup.
•   Bring your own. Offer to bring a side dish, appetizer or dessert. Pack a “Plan B”that you can eat, even if you contribute to the meal. (This applies to your child, too. Pack or send snacks)
•   Ask. People may be unaware of the hidden dangers in commercially prepared food. Don’t be afraid to ask to see the ingredients or the label.
•   Dessert Dessert is often the most challenging for people unfamiliar with food allergies but who are trying to accommodate them. Offer to bring a dessert.
•   Keep your sense of humour The hidden ingredients often cause problems for people who are unfamiliar with food allergies. If you discover that you are unable to eat the food, you will need to be honest, but you don’t have to be dramatic. Pull out your Plan B and enjoy the company.

Created by: Lisa MacColl – AllergySense Contributor