Holiday Gatherings for People with Allergies

Posted by Christine Nyholm Dec 22, 2008

The holiday season is a time of great happiness and joy for many. Christmas spirit brings together friends and family members for festive meals, parties and gatherings.

People with allergies have to take special care with the foods they eat, the pollens they breathe and the chemicals they expose themselves to. Taking special care does not mean you have to be miserable. There is much to enjoy, even if you cannot eat all the dishes served on the dinner table.

Personally, I focus on eating the food with the least amount of processing, such as the meat or turkey. Plain foods are less likely to have mysterious ingredients that can cause allergic reactions.

Many people with allergies have problems with the MSG in pre-packaged gravy, so politely ask if the gravy is made from scratch or skip it. People with allergies to dairy products may want to be careful about mashed potatoes or dishes with cheese.

You get the picture. Pay close attention to the food. If you have questions about the ingredients it is okay to ask, but please do so politely, preferably in a quiet moment with the host or hostess before sitting down to dinner.

Education is the key to enjoying a variety of food and experiences. By knowing what you can and cannot eat and do, you can focus on the good and ignore the bad.

If allergies make you miserable, talk to your doctor or allergist about diagnostic tests to pinpoint the problem. Allergy diagnoses are a complicated process because of interactions so this might be an ongoing process. Food Allergies Require Proper Diagnoses

Have a very Happy Holiday, Merry Xmas and a Blessed New Year! Xmas is Historic Christian Word for Christmas