Christmas food allergies: what to look out for

8th December 2021

Christmas food allergies: what to look out for

If you ask people what their favourite part of the festive season is, a good majority will no doubt say the food. In fact, 75% of Brits just can’t wait to gorge themselves on a Christmas feast!

But for people with food allergies, it can be another minefield – especially if you have to trust someone else to do the cooking. And which of your favourite dishes can you even eat? Let’s look at some of the likely foods you’ll have piling up on your plate and what potential allergens they might contain.

Stuffing

The perfect accompaniment to a few slices of turkey, stuffing is a staple around the Christmas dinner table. But a key ingredient is often breadcrumbs, which will affect those with a gluten intolerance.

And depending on the kind of stuffing, it may also have traces of nuts and festive fruits, such as cranberries. You can make your own stuffing and substitute the breadcrumbs with cornmeal or quinoa, and replace the nuts with dried fruits (as long as you aren’t allergic to them).

Sauces and gravy

What would the meal be without a sauce or gravy lavished over it all? But make sure to triple-check the ingredients as you never know what’s in them.

Whether it’s cranberry sauce or a meat gravy, they can be embellished with extras such as nuts to give it that extra texture. They could also have other types of fruit that you may be allergic to.

Christmas pudding

Many people love to round out the Christmas dinner with a traditional pudding. But there are plenty of ingredients that could be in there that you need to look out for. This also goes for all kinds of desserts you might dig into.

Of course, when it comes to cake, flour is a major ingredient. This isn’t great news for people with gluten sensitivities. A Christmas pudding is also likely to be stuffed with various fruits, nuts, and dairy.

It might be worth a trip down the free-from aisle at your local supermarket (if they have one). Around this time of year, they’ll no doubt have a range of festive treats sure to be free of certain allergens. Take a good look at the ingredients to see which best suits you.

There’s no reason you shouldn’t be safe to dig into your Christmas feast this year. With some extra vigilance – and some elbow grease if you’re making your own food from scratch – you can make sure everyone has a fantastic time. Just don’t eat too much!

We want you to have the safest festive period possible. If you have any allergy concerns, our allergy experts are always here to help. Get in touch with us today on 02031 433 449.

Stay safe this Christmas; watch out for festive allergies

21st December 2018

Stay safe this Christmas; watch out for festive allergies

Whether you love or hate Christmas, you will likely come into contact with a Christmas tree, festive food, and allergy-triggering presents at some point during December. And while it might be a time for celebration and fun, you need to be wary of potential allergy triggers.

Deck the halls

Decorating at Christmas is one of the best parts, but you might want to stick to a plastic tree. Real pine trees can cause allergy symptoms to flare. While the tree itself might not be the main culprit, the particles that it attracts might be.

Trees can collect mould, dust, and other allergens like pollen or pet dander. If you think you might start sneezing instead of rocking around the Christmas tree choose an artificial tree instead. It’s also worth dusting decorations around the house to help keep it allergy-free.

The gift that keeps on giving

It’s not uncommon to receive at least one body product as a Christmas present, especially as supermarkets and drugstores sell gift sets. But be careful with the type of products you put on your skin. They may cause you discomfort if you’re allergic to certain ingredients or have contact dermatitis. If possible, ensure that your family and friends are clued up on your triggers.

Food glorious food

Food is quite possibly the best part of Christmas. From roast dinners to mince pies, there’s a lot to eat! But for those with food allergies, it can be a minefield. If you’re not in charge of cooking, be sure to alert whoever is of your allergies so that you can have peace of mind this Christmas.

Don’t put up with potential allergies, make sure you get allergy tested in the new year! Whether it’s winter or summer, allergies are difficult to avoid if you don’t know what your triggers are. Begin your allergy-free journey today.

Start the new year without worrying about itchy eyes, a runny nose, and hives. Request an allergy test today, or visit our website to find out more about your allergy problems.