The holidays are a time for people to get together and share food. However, if you are hosting people with food allergies, there are a few things to keep in mind.

The holidays are a time for friends, family, and loved ones to come together under one roof. With so many gatherings during this season, it’s likely that you’ll be hosting someone with food allergies at some point.

Of course, food allergies can vary in severity, and not everyone with a food allergy will conform to a one-size-fits-all list of advice. However, here are some general tips for hosting people with food allergies.

Although it may seem obvious, providing sufficient options for individuals with food allergies is crucial.

Consider that some allergens are more prevalent than others — for example, it may be more challenging for someone with dairy or gluten allergies to eat a wide variety of dishes compared to someone with a nut allergy.

Many individuals with food allergies have been in situations where they could only eat one or two dishes that did not add up to a full meal. Ensuring that everyone can have a balanced, filling meal will help prevent people with food allergies from being left out or feeling othered.

One of the simplest things you can do is separate foods containing allergens from the other foods being served.

While this may sound simple, such as putting the 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.

You could also 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.

If you are serving a buffet-style spread of food, labeling is another effective way to indicate which foods contain allergens and which do not. This makes it clear which foods contain allergens, rather than leaving people with allergies to guess what is safe to eat.

While you could simply state which dishes contain an allergen and which do not, you may find that listing the entire recipe on a label is more effective, especially if you are hosting people you do not know well.

Making the contents of each dish clear will save your guests the guesswork and you the time of having to explain to people who ask. Additionally, if someone wants the recipe for a dish, they can easily take a picture of the label instead of having to ask you.

You may also consider using different colored labels for foods with and without allergens to make identification 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.

You may even decide to ask for input from those with food allergies before deciding what to make. They can let you know if they will be unable to eat certain dishes.

They will also let you know if they would like everyone 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.

Attending large gatherings during the holidays or at any other time may add an additional layer of considerations if individuals with food allergies will be present.

While it is essential to keep these tips in mind, many are relatively minor adjustments that can prevent potentially hazardous situations. Not all of them may be necessary. Simply communicating with the affected individual may be enough.