Going to a social gathering can be extremely exciting for you and your little one. However, if your child has a food allergy, it’s natural to feel worried about how you can make them feel safe and included in the festivities. Here’s what you can do.

1. Understand Your Kid’s Food Allergies

Food allergies are much more common than you would think — about 6% of U.S. children reported having them in 2021. There are a variety of allergens involved as well, whether it’s milk, chicken, eggs, peanuts, seafood or more, so get a full understanding of what exactly your kid is allergic to.

Remember to differentiate food sensitivities from food allergies! Those would only involve general discomfort and will not affect the immune system. As such, you may not need to avoid the allergen so strictly. However, it’s still best to avoid giving your child these kinds of dishes. 

2. Teach Your Child to Avoid Certain Foods

Some parents may lose track of their kids while at a social event, especially at bigger gatherings. Because of that, you must instruct yours to avoid certain foods at the venue. Use these techniques during the big talk:

• Explain the why: Share why the food may be bad for them and why it’s imperative to their health and safety to avoid it.
• Teach reading food labels: Packaged foods can be tempting to tear open and eat right away. However, you need to train your children to read the labels first. If what they’re allergic to is part of the ingredient list, suggest getting something else.
• Let them ask questions: If your kid is ever unsure of eating a certain food while at a social event, tell them they can ask you about it first. You have the best eyes for assessing whether something may cause allergic reactions or not.
• Encourage saying “no”: It’s easy to feel peer pressure while you’re at a social gathering. However, it’s important to tell your kid to say “no” when offered something they’re allergic to.

3. Check the Menu In Advance

Remember to check the menu at an event in advance, as it’s better to be safe than sorry. You can usually ask the host or other organizers behind it and explain that you want to know for food allergy purposes.

You may want to ask if they can make changes if it’s a more private event or if you know one of the hosts. Parents could also volunteer to bring a dish they know their kid can eat and will like at more casual events like a potluck. 

4. Communicate Your Child’s Food Allergy

The best way to make a social event safer for your kid is to inform other people. After all, some may not realize your little one has a food allergy in the first place. Talk to family members, friends, teachers and other attendees you may know.

Giving those people that information can give you more eyes and ears on your child and keep them safe from certain allergens. You can also provide instructions on what to do if they have an allergy emergency without you present.

5. Bring Safe Snacks

Another way to keep your kid allergy-free and full at the same time is by bringing some snacks instead. Place all the goodies in a backpack or handbag. Let them carry it — it can be helpful for them to have their accessible snack stash during an event — and pack them enough to share with friends.

6. Have Water Ready

Make sure to bring a full water bottle along with those safe treats! Being dehydrated boosts your histamine production and aggravates allergy symptoms like coughing. Encourage your kid to take sips in between activities to keep their fluids up.

7. Minimize Physical Contact

If your child has a food allergy, be wary of their physical contact with other people. Sometimes, even just a handshake with someone who has eaten their allergen can cause a reaction if they are extra sensitive. Suggest washing hands and bringing along hand sanitizer.

8. Be Wary of New Food Allergies

Being allergic to one food means your immune system is susceptible to developing a new allergy. Even if you’ve vetted a social event to be allergen-free, keep on your toes and look out for any reactions.

If you see any redness or other symptoms, consult a dietitian. They can let you know if your kid has a food allergy related to different food groups like dairy or whole grains.

9. Get Their Medication Ready

Remember to have a little emergency kit with epinephrine injections and medication in case of reactions. Antihistamines are ideal to prevent these symptoms after your little one is exposed to an allergen. However, be wary of side effects like slower reaction time, dry mouth and headaches.

Keep Your Child Food-Allergy-Ready

Just because a child has a food allergy doesn’t mean they can’t have fun munching at social events. Learn how to plan for these emergencies and empower them to be safe while enjoying themselves.