For thousands of families, food allergies are a reality that involves carefully reading labels before consumption, as well as educating and communicating with family, friends and schools.
Food allergy awareness requires even more diligence when it comes to parties, such as Super Bowl Sunday. Pot lucks and buffet-type spreads could be a trip to the ER just waiting to happen if food allergies aren’t communicated. Raising awareness, even if the allergy isn’t in your own family, is the first line of defense for avoiding adverse reactions.
Holly Robinson Peete, one of the co-hosts of CBS’ The Talk and wife of former NFL player Rodney Peete, is well versed in food allergies. Mom of four, Holly hopes to help raise awareness and educate other parents about food allergies; each of her kids has some form of allergy, and she’s had her fair share of scary moments.
On Super Bowl Sunday, an occasion that boasts the most food consumption behind Thanksgiving, the reality of food allergies is heightened. Because of her experience with food allergies, Holly spoke with some fellow bloggers and me, on how to enjoy an allergy-friendly Super Bowl party.
Families can enjoy a fun Super Bowl party even if allergies are a concern. Some of Holly’s tips for having an allergy-friendly Super Bowl party include:
1. Communication
Communicate with family and friends about allergies and potential dangers of food. It’s important to know everything that’s being served, not just for knowledge sake, but also to avoid any allergic reactions. Holly suggested that recipes that contain an ingredient that may be an allergen, regardless of the amount, may trigger an allergic reaction. For example, for a recipe that may call for peanut oil, use an allergy friendly substitute like vegetable oil.
2. Educate
Sometimes, a host/hostess may not be aware of a food allergy your family member might have. Be sure to politely let them know in advance to avoid any scary effects of lack of education. Holly recommended that friends and family use a separate serving spoon for each dish and not to switch spoons, at the risk of contaminating food. I’ve been known to do this many times, simply out of laziness or lack of serving spoons. I definitely know better now.
3. Have a Plan of Action
As previously mentioned, we discovered our guy has an allergy to cashews. We found out the hard way: the night of a blizzard, the day after Christmas—like when everything was closed and unplowed. If you were ever faced with having to deal with an allergic reaction, have a plan of action. The kid, thankfully, did not have an anaphylactic reaction to the cashews. We watched him closely the entire night, and the only adverse effects were swollen lips and hives. Next plan: allergy tests to find out if there are any other allergies. If you suspect an allergy, it would behoove you to get the kids tested.
Holly, who has a partnership with Epi-Pen, said it’s good to be prepared in case of an allergic reaction. Holly spoke about how she always has an Epi-Pen onhand, which could be key in case of a potential allergic reaction where timing is everything. Other meds that are important to have on hand include antihistamines and inhalers. Carol Jones, an RN who answered the more scientific questions about allergies during the webinar, suggested that the Epi-Pen would act the fastest, in case of an anaphylactic reaction.
4. Think Ahead
In party situations, Holly said that she always comes prepared. She brings food that her kids can eat, especially since one child has a dairy allergy and another has an egg allergy, which would prohibit them from having ice cream or cake. Since Holly’s four kids each have some kind of food allergy and she has an allergy to soy, she must think ahead when preparing a favorite dish. When hosting a Superbowl Party, the Philly native said she loves to serve her special Philly cheesesteak nachos, but has to make several different kinds of this same dish. Since one child has a dairy allergy, she makes one nacho dish with non-dairy cheese. One child is a vegan, so she has to make one with no meat. All in all, she emphasized, the entire family can enjoy fun, delicious food, it just might take a little more thought to accommodate allergies.
Have fun on Super Bowl Sunday and be safe.
Full disclosure: The webinar was sponsored by Dey Pharma L.P. I was asked to participate in this webinar to help spread the word, thanks to TheMotherhood. I am being compensated for my participation in this webinar, but as always, all opinions on NKT are my own.
This Q&A is not intended to provide or replace professional medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about food allergies, be sure to contact your doctor.
