Tips for Hosting an Allergy-friendly Holiday Party
‘Tis the season for holiday parties! If you’re in charge of hosting this year, it’s important to be mindful of the various food allergies your guests may have.
We know, we know. You already have a lot to think about. Throwing in the added burden of worrying about other people’s food allergies can feel overwhelming.
That’s why we’re here with some tips that can help you host an allergy-friendly holiday party without adding extra stress to your life.
5 Tips for Holiday Hosts
Use these tips to plan a holiday party everyone can enjoy.
- Know what you’re up against
People can have a variety of food allergies or sensitivities. The most common are tree nuts, peanuts, milk, gluten, eggs, soy, wheat, and shellfish.
- Prioritize communication
Ask guests to inform you of any food allergies or sensitivities. If you know that someone attending has an allergy, put a note on the invitation stating so. You don’t need to divulge who has the allergy. Something as simple as “this will be a peanut-free event” will suffice. That way, guests won’t end up bringing something with a known allergen.
- Include ingredients
Even if you are an excellent communicator, there’s still a chance someone with an allergy can accidentally eat the wrong thing. Create ingredient lists and place them on the buffet table. If guests bring food, ask them to do the same thing, or make a list when they show up. That way, guests can identify whether an allergen is in a particular dish.
- Let guests with allergies go first
Give guests with food allergies first dibs on the buffet table to avoid cross-contamination with serving utensils.
- Always include some dishes without allergens
It’s a good idea to assume that a guest has a food allergy or sensitivity, even if they don’t want to disclose it. So, have some dishes on hand that are allergen-free anytime you host an event.
Allergy-Friendly Recipes
Here are a few allergy-friendly recipes to try, whether you’re hosting or bringing a dish to someone else’s potluck.
Sesame-free hummus
Make your hummus sesame-free by eliminating tahini and instead following this recipe from Simply Gluten Free. Serve it with baby carrots, sliced red bell peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, gluten-free pita bread, and kalamata olives.
Mashed cauliflower with roasted garlic and chives
Skip the potatoes with this healthy recipe from Allergy Free Alaska. It uses ghee instead of butter to whip up a delicious, creamy side dish everyone will enjoy.
Gluten-free and vegan pumpkin pie
Your non-vegan, gluten-loving friends won’t even know what’s missing with this allergy-friendly version of pumpkin pie. Check out the recipe on A Little Insanity. Make sure to have some vegan whipped topping on hand to dollop on top!
NutriTots Wishes You a Very Merry Holiday Season
We hope these tips and recipes will make hosting your next holiday gathering a little easier. Being mindful of food allergies can help your guests feel more comfortable and ensure that they can partake in the festivities.
Remember that you can always whip up a delicious smoothie using our NutriTots Vanilla Ice Cream Shake protein powder, which is free of gluten, soy, dairy, wheat, corn, peanuts, GMOs, artificial colors and sweeteners, shellfish, sesame, stevia, monk fruit, and fish.
Order yours today!