November 15, 2024

While Thanksgiving may be a holiday filled with arguably some of the best food the year has to offer, many popular dishes also contain some of the most common food allergens. These allergens include cow milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts and tree nuts.

Not only are allergens incredibly common, but there some dishes that contain “hidden” allergens that are much harder to identify than others. For example, did you know that some cranberry sauces contain nuts?

With so many allergens at the table, it’s important to know what meals are safe to eat and what meals should be avoided by those who can’t have them.

Whether you’re hosting this years’ festivities or are managing food allergies, here are some tips to keep everyone safe:

Be a good host! Be aware that some of your guests may have food allergies:

• Ask your guests if they have any food allergies ahead of time. If someone has an allergy, talk to them about what dishes you plan on serving and whether they contain any allergens.
• While cooking, hang onto any packaging (or take a picture of it). This way you have all ingredient information in case any of your guests need it.
• Before, during and after cooking, properly clean all dishes and surfaces to remove any possible allergens. Learn more about how to clean surfaces in your kitchen to make sure all allergens have been removed.
• Do your best to avoid cross-contamination. Every dish should have its own serving utensil to prevent food from mixing. If you’re serving food buffet style, let people with allergies serve themselves first.

Prepare for you and your family’s allergies ahead of time:

• Call your host in advance. Let them know any allergies that you or your children may have. Explain what allergies you’re managing and learn more about what dishes will be served.
• Ask your host if it’s okay for you to bring a few safe dishes that can be served with dinner. When in doubt, bring an extra meal (or two) that you know is safe to eat.
• Speak with your children ahead of time. Let them know what dishes may have allergens, and what foods are safe for them to eat.
• Watch out for cross contamination. During the chaos of dinner, it can be easy for a serving spoon to end up in the wrong bowl. If you notice or suspect that a dish or utensil may have been contaminated with one that contains an allergen, play it safe and don’t eat that dish.
• Always leave the house with two epinephrine auto-injectors. Even by taking all necessary precautions, it’s important to always have a back-up plan to ensure the safety of you and/or your family.

Helpful Resources:

• FARE Tips and Takeaways for Your Teal Thanksgiving
• Boston Children’s Hospital Tips on Navigating Your Child’s Food Allergies During Thanksgiving