'Tis the season of cookies, cakes, and pies! It's a dangerous, delicious time of year and self control can be a pretty fuzzy territory for me, especially when I'm staring into the face of a homemade pie. But it's easy to not eat something when I'm playing a game of Russian Roulette with the aforementioned pie. Now, if that pie was made or purchased by someone I trust, self control goes out the window and two (four) slices later, I am shamelessly scraping the crumbs off the plate with my fork.
Need a few survival tips to make it through the holiday season? Let's dive in.
1. Communicate. You must speak up for yourself, and let your host know what you're allergic to ahead of time. Most people are willing to accommodate an allergy, but don't expect them to change their menu entirely. You can offer to bring a dish, just so you know you'll have something safe to eat.
2. Beware of Cross Contamination. If you find yourself face to face with a bowl of nuts, don't panic. Ask the host whether it's alright for you to set aside your servings before the meal begins, so you can avoid the risk of cross contamination.
3. Educate. Make sure another guest knows what to do in case you do ingest an allergen, and how to use your epi-pen. You might not be able to do it.
4. License to Carry. While we're talking about epi-pens, how many are you carrying? You should have at least two with you at all times. The effects of epinephrine usually only last 10-20 minutes. Talk to your doctor about dosage.
5. B.Y.O.F. Bring your own food, or have a snack before you leave your home just in case you don't feel comfortable with what's on the table.
6. Read ALL the Labels. I've said it before--if you don't read it, don't eat it. Ask your host to please save the labels on store-bought foods so you can read the ingredients.
5. Ask before you eat! I cannot stress this enough. I've never taken a bite without confirming that it wouldn't kill me. It's foolish to assume that just because you've had it before, it's safe this time. You should never feel embarrassed to ask for the ingredients.
6. When in doubt, don't eat it. If you're not sure, it's not worth the risk.
Allergies are a pain, but they're manageable. Just be careful, be smart, and don't be afraid to speak up. Happy eating, everyone! I'll be back soon with some Allergy Friendly Desserts!
