People with Allergies Eat Thanksgiving Dinner

Posted by Christine Nyholm Nov 19, 2008

Thanksgiving is a holiday of gatherings over dinner with family and friends. People with food and chemical allergies need to exercise the same caution that they do everyday when eating unfamiliar foods.

Home made food is probably the safest food there is for people with food allergies, but the allergic still need to verify the sources of ingredients and inquire about hidden components in foods. This can be tricky when you aunt brings her famous home made mashed potatoes and gravy or home made stuffing.

At many dinner tables, home made is not made from scratch anymore, not like the food our grandmothers probably prepared. Prepared foods, packaged mixes and frozen foods get served on the fine china, right next to the turkey, which is probably the safest food on the table. Add to that the problem that not everyone will admit that their contribution to the dinner table came from the grocery store instead of being lovingly made from hand.

Foods that allergic people have to watch out for depend upon their individual allergies. Many people with allergies and food sensitivities find that they can tolerate a small amount of a allergen without a problem.

People who have reactions to MSG and Sulfites always need to take care with packaged, canned and frozen foods. If the stuffing and gravy is made with a packaged mix, it likely contains MSG. Many canned and frozen foods contains sulfites and/or MSG. Sulfites on Foods Cause Allergic Reactions

People with milk allergies should take care with the mashed potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie. The stuffing may contain nuts, dried fruits and other unfamiliar ingredients.

People with wheat allergies already know to avoid the baked rolls, stuffing and pie crust.

Some people get defensive when asked about how food was prepared, not understanding how important it is for you to know. Try to probe politely if you are concerned about the ingredients.

Depending upon what foods you, or your children, are allergic to, Thanksgiving may be one of the safer meals you can eat. Personally, I avoid the most likely offenders, such as the gravy, stuffing and green bean casserole, or just have a small portion to taste.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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