Allergic to Christmas?

Christmas is the time to celebrate with family and friends. But for those with food allergies, it can feel a little less of a merry experience.

As a family, we always celebrated Christmas at home. Because of Natasha's food allergies, it felt much safer this way - we had full control of all the snacks and meals so we could then relax and just enjoy our time together.

If you are spending this Christmas away from home, your comfort zone will depend on your level of trust - that there is a complete understanding of the complexities of your food allergies and confidence that the food you are given will be completely safe. Being unsure or feeling like you are taking risks is very stressful and also dangerous.

Here are a few little tips to consider:

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🎄At Christmas, many families put out nuts in bowls or cheesy bread sticks, or dips such as hummus (containing sesame) - the list is endless. Always check in advance, people who don't have food allergies may not think of allergens in snacks because their main focus will be on the Christmas lunch dishes.

👀 Ask that all food labels are kept so you can check them, preferably before the big day.

🌰 Check there are no extra allergen garnishes added at the last minute

🍯 Check for allergens that may be contained in shop-bought marinades for gammon and hams.

🥛 Milk is often used to increase the creaminess or richness of dishes and sauces and eggs, a common ingredient in cakes and pastries are often used as a pastry glaze.

🥔 Roast potatoes/parsnips etc can be tossed in wheat flour, semolina or even parmesan cheese to make them extra crispy.

🧋Keep to a few safe drinks that you know and love. Special Christmas editions of drinks may contain flavourings such as nuts, spices, milk etc which they don’t normally contain.

There is definitely a lot to think about but with good communication, preparation and clarity of food ingredients, your Christmas should be joyful, merry and above all SAFE! 💜

📝 What would you add to this list?