Planning for Holiday Gatherings When Your Child Has a Food Allergy
Published on
Health Tip of the WeekPublished on
Health Tip of the Week Food is an integral part of many festive winter celebrations, so holiday gatherings can be a concern if your child has a food allergy.
Amy Dean, MPH, RD, LDN, and Shannan Stewart, RD, LDN, clinical dietitians with the Food Allergy Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), advise families on healthy food practices for children with food allergies. Here, they share their suggestions for inclusive — and safe — holiday gatherings.
“Your two key goals,” says Stewart, “are to protect your child’s health and ensure they are able to participate in and fully enjoy holiday celebrations. That can take a bit of extra planning.”
“If you are invited to a holiday gathering with a meal, talk ahead of time with the host and others who will be bringing food," Dean says. "The earlier you have that conversation, the more time everyone will have to plan a safe meal for your child.”
“If your child is old enough to apply some self-control at the gathering,” says Dean, “make a game plan together before you go about how to deal with the food.”
Host an allergen-free party for your child and other kids with food allergies.
Your party might be the start of new holiday tradition.
Contributed by: Amy Dean, MPH, RD, LDN, Shannan Stewart, RD, LDN
Categories: Health Tip of the Week