Food galore…allergy laden food that is…then add cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, relatives and friends, in all shapes and sizes, eating things that are forbidden on your family’s list. It is difficult. “It’s not fair,” I often lament. I would love to have my daughter be able to eat things that everyone else eats, but the consequences of doing so far out weigh the unfairness in it all.
How do we handle it?
Make lots of our own substitutions. There’s no getting around the food, so the best option is to have lots of allergy safe foods on hand.
Make sure when visiting others you bring your own goodies, especially for the little ones.
This maybe obvious, when visiting others, don’t expect people to cater to your family’s needs. It is wonderful when you have a host or hostess that asks and is willing to provide some allergy free things! More often than not, though, you will find that people don’t understand or are at a loss as to what to make. Put them at ease, let them know you do not expect them to make food that your family can eat and you are happy to bring your own things. Be honest and up front, you don’t want to offend a hostess who might not know why you brought your own food!
The holidays are not the time to try to educate those around you. If you have folks that don’t understand the needs your family has, be gracious, but don’t try to educate them unless you feel they really have a desire to know.
While it’s hard not to be anxious about the food, enjoy the time gathered together.
Until next time,
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