November 2024 |  ✓  Medically reviewed by: Gary Falcetano, PA-C, AE-C; Fabio Iachetti, MD; Rebecca Rosenberger, MMSc, PA-C

The holiday season is supposed to be “the most … wonderful time … of the year.” But if you’re hosting a gathering, the holidays can be hectic, particularly if an immediate family member or guest has a diagnosed or suspected food allergy. Catering to the needs of everyone—including both food-allergic individuals and guests that value rich holiday traditions—can suck the cheer right out of you.

But don’t start bah-hum-buggin’ out just yet. Take a deep breath. Grab some chai tea. And maybe chant an “ommmm” or two. We have the information and strategies you need to host an allergy-friendly holiday gathering. They’ll help get you and your crew through the holidays safely and with your holiday spirit firmly intact. 

Food allergy facts and figures may help lessen anxiety.

Most of us fear the unknown. And if this is your first holiday excursion through the food-allergy frontier, you’re probably having all the feels. But a few facts and figures can help you establish a barebones understanding of food allergies—and possibly decrease your distress.

You’re not alone when it comes to food allergies.

An estimated 2 to 5 percent of adults—between 220 to 520 million people globally—may have food allergies.^1,2 That means myriad families successfully manage their allergies 365 days a year. (You and your family can too!)

Food-allergy reactions vary.

While life-threatening reactions are possible in some cases, food-allergy symptoms range from mild to severe. Symptoms can include:³

• Hives
• Swelling of the tongue
• Tight, hoarse throat/trouble swallowing
• Shortness of breath/wheezing
• Repetitive cough
• Weak pulse
• Shock or circulatory collapse
• Pale or blue skin coloring
• Dizziness/feeling faint
• Anaphylaxis (Potentially life threatening, anaphylaxis can impair breathing, impact heart rate, and cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure.)

And the common food-allergy suspects are …

More than 170 foods may cause allergic reactions.⁴ And for some people, even trace amounts can be dangerous. For example, steam from cooking shellfish or simply touching certain foods can cause reactions in highly sensitized people.⁵ That said, the following eight types of foods account for roughly 90 percent of all food-allergy reactions in the United States.³ (Outside of the United States, two more culprits are common triggers in some countries.³) If your family or holiday guests are (or seem) sensitized to any of these allergens, a host of information (including insights on potential “hidden” sources) is available via the following links.

• Eggs
• Milk
• Peanuts
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Wheat
• Soy
• Tree nuts*

(*Tree nut examples include cashews, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, macadamias, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, and almonds)

Some seeds (such as mustard and sesame) are also common allergy triggers and are major allergens in some countries.³

• Mustard
• Sesame

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Always ask your guests what food allergies they have to be sure they can eat the alternative options.

10 Strategies for Managing Food Allergies During the Holidays

Since there’s no cure for food allergies and the only way to dodge a reaction is to avoid the allergen altogether, preventive practices are critical for your holiday gathering.⁶ Here are some expert-recommended tactics along with a few logical suggestions to help you, your family, and your guests maneuver the holidays safely and merrily.