If you or a loved one has a food allergy, navigating meals can sometimes feel stressful. But with some simple precautions, you can enjoy your meals with confidence no matter where you are.
Here are some tips to help you avoid allergens at home, at restaurants or while traveling.
Tips for avoiding allergens at home
- Be the host: Hosting allows you to control the ingredients and preparation methods. You can ensure the food is safe and ask guests to follow specific guidelines.
- Educate your guests: If others are bringing food, kindly explain your food allergy and ask them to:
- Read food labels carefully before cooking.
- Wash hands and use separate utensils to prevent cross-contamination.
- Keep allergy-friendly dishes separate from those containing allergens.
- Label food: Create labels for each dish to list the ingredients. This helps everyone avoid accidental exposure.
Tips for avoiding allergens at someone else’s house
- Offer to help: Assist with planning or preparing the meal. This gives you a say in what ingredients are used and ensures that safe options are available.
- Bring your own safe food: Pack a dish or snack you know is allergen-free. Your host will appreciate not having to prepare separate items and you’ll have something safe to enjoy.
- Request separate areas for allergen-free items: If the kitchen might have cross-contamination, ask the host to store safe food in a designated area with separate utensils.
- Serve yourself first: Before the food is handled by others, serve yourself or your loved one to avoid contamination from shared serving utensils.
Tips for avoiding allergens at restaurants
- Research safe options: Look up menus online before heading out. This is especially helpful when traveling to new areas. Chain restaurants often have consistent menus and allergen information.
- Use a chef card: Bring a card that lists your allergies to give to the chef or manager. This helps reduce the risk of allergens in your meal.
- Don’t hesitate to send food back: If your meal arrives with allergens, it’s okay to request it be remade to avoid potential reactions.
For more detailed advice about dining with food allergies, visit the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) website.
Tips for families with young children who have food allergies
Managing food allergies in children requires extra caution. Younger kids might not recognize which foods contain allergens, so it’s important to have a plan:
- Teach them to only accept food from trusted adults: Ensure they understand the importance of getting food from someone who knows about their allergies.
- Prepare their plate first: This reduces the risk of cross-contamination from shared serving utensils.
- Set up a plan: Bring safe treats to events or promise special snacks afterward if they can’t eat what's available at the event.
Always carry an epinephrine auto-injector
Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen. If you or a loved one is at risk for severe allergic reactions, always carry an epinephrine auto-injector, such as an EpiPen.
Talk to your health care provider or an expert at Banner Health for advice on diagnosing, managing, and treating food allergies to help you stay safe and improve your quality of life.
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Content in this article was updated on October 25, 2024.
