Summer Fun Without Fear: Your Guide to Navigating Food Allergies in the Summertime

Holidays and celebrations can be difficult for those with allergies, and the Fourth of July is no exception. With an abundance of festive foods and treats that may not be safe, it's easy for caution to be overlooked in the excitement of the occasion. During holidays like the Fourth of July—when companies release limited-edition food items while friends and family host numerous parties—there is often a change in schedule from one’s usual routines. This can cause people to forget just how important it is to stay vigilant in checking labels and packing safe foods.

But these are not the only tips that come in handy around the Fourth of July. Summer brings nicer weather, which leads to outdoor potlucks and celebrations. It’s important to know of any seasonal allergies you may have in addition to food allergies. If there are certain insects, plants, or flowers that you are allergic to, be sure to consult your allergist on purchasing and packing adequate bug-repellent sprays and the appropriate allergy medications (i.e. antihistamine or epinephrine) so that you can have the most fun under the sun!

If it is not possible to avoid your environmental allergens, opt to move your next celebration to a new location. Additionally, it can be beneficial to inform others about your pet allergies to avoid them bringing their pets to gatherings you attend.

Furthermore, ensure that you carry your appropriate allergy medications with you at all times (you never know when you might need them!). The hot summer months can pose additional challenges to carrying such medications, due to the heat-sensitivity of allergy medications and the increased temperatures of the summer. To combat this, prepare to pack an insulated bag with your medications in them for every event you go to. In addition, to further safeguard your health, make sure that the people around you at such celebrations and holiday parties are aware of your allergies and where your medication is in the event of an emergency.

Potlucks are a common food-related event for the Fourth of July. At potlucks, it can be helpful to inform the host ahead of time that you have an allergy so they can spread the word to other guests bringing food, hopefully working to eliminate the presence of your allergens at such an event. Remember, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask someone what is in an unfamiliar dish!

It is always best to avoid eating certain food if you do not know who cooked it or if it might have been vulnerable to cross-contact when being prepared. When in doubt, it is best to stick to the safe foods that you or your family brought.

The Fourth of July brings another favorite activity: fireworks! Fireworks can be very distracting at times and it can also be a rush to get to the perfect spot to watch the fireworks. In your hurry, make sure you keep track of your medications. Moreover, choose safe viewing spots and select a spot further away from food vendors or areas where your allergens may be present.

Most importantly, remember to have fun! Holidays can be very enjoyable if you remember to take care of yourself first! Enjoy the limited edition foods that are safe, take time to catch up with family and friends, and enjoy the summer while it’s here! Happy Fourth of July!

With the balmy summer weather, amusement parks and theme parks open their gates in full swing for all to enjoy! Such destinations are a popular and thrilling way to spend your summer days, so it is incredibly important to plan ahead and take the necessary steps to ensure you have safe dining options while enjoying an amusement park or theme park. Fortunately, many large parks publicly share their accommodations for visitors with food allergies and dietary restrictions on their websites. For example, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort both have dedicated portions of their website devoted to informing and providing accommodations to those with food allergies. Google search, “Special Dietary Requests” on the Walt Disney World website, and Google search, “Dietary Needs” on Universal Orlando Resort website, to discover lists of allergy-friendly menu options and vendors to help you discover safe and delicious spots to eat.

As a standard precautionary practice, it is always advised to bring your own food as a backup. Bringing a small cooler or insulated bag with safe snacks and drinks to refuel is essential, as it ensures you are prepared no matter where you go, even if the dining options may be uncertain. Amusement parks can be fun, but also tiring! As such, we recommend packing more snacks than you think you will need; it’s never fun getting caught without enough food, especially if the park doesn’t end up having sufficient allergy-friendly options.

Despite the thrill of amusement parks, don’t forget to bring your epinephrine and other necessary allergy medication with you to the park. Wearing a satchel or fanny pack is an easy, discreet way to store your medicine under the hot summer sun! Most amusement and theme parks have first aid centers with trained medical staff, so it's valuable to locate these facilities either before or upon arrival.

Amusement parks can be messy, so having wipes or sanitizer on hand is always advised. Dining areas and even rides themselves may be unsanitary and pose a risk of allergen exposure. With wipes or sanitizer on hand, you can clean any surface whenever you feel uncomfortable. Before a ride takes off, it’s easy to quickly wipe any surface your skin will be touching in order to avoid allergen exposure and a potential reaction.    

Make sure that the people you are going with know that you have severe food allergies and that they are made aware of where your medication is stored. Making those around you aware is very important, especially if you are going with a new group of friends who don’t know about your allergy. Even if it feels a bit awkward talking about it, it will help to keep you safe and make the experience less stressful and more relaxed for you in the long run. A simple way to bring your food allergies up is to let friends know why you’re carrying an extra bag or satchel. Explaining how important it is to keep your medicine safe can help others understand the severity of your allergies.

When visiting farmer's markets or fairs, it is important to keep your eyes peeled for signs displaying allergen information and ingredients prior to sampling, purchasing, and consuming any food items.

If this information is not clearly displayed, fear not! You can simply ask the producer or vendor at the stand where you're considering buying products. Fortunately, at farmers' markets, most food items are locally harvested or prepared by the individuals selling them, which makes it easier to inquire about their preparation methods.

Be careful about potential cross-contact issues. Despite the farm-to-table focus of farmer’s markets, some products sold at such markets could still be made in shared kitchens, which increases the risk of safe food mixing with unsafe food.

Pro tip: it can be helpful to arrive at the farmer’s market early, reducing the chance of cross-contact. For example, arriving early ensures access to the freshest products and decreases the likelihood that items have been handled and sampled, and potentially cross-contact with allergens. If you opt to go earlier, you will also have the first pick of allergen-safe options before they sell out or become mixed with other items. By going to the farmer’s market early, you will beat the crowds and therefore, it will be easier to speak to vendors about the safety of their products.

In general, you should never feel bad for asking questions, especially when it pertains to your safety. Any miscommunications can be cleared up, and you will feel more at ease with what you are eating. It might be hard, but don’t let food define the experience. Most importantly, don’t rush to eat food just because everyone else is eating it. 

When hosting or attending barbecues with food allergies, the best way to stay safe is to make sure that adequate precautions are in place. First, you should let the host and guests know about your allergies so they can accommodate you and help prevent potential allergen exposure through cross contact among food items. Also, to promote your well being, it is a good practice to clean tables, chairs, and cooking surfaces before eating to reduce the possibility of coming into contact with allergen traces.

You might make or request for allergen-free dishes to be made first, while the grill is still unused for other foods and clean. Using separate cooking tools/utensils for your food will also help reduce the risk of cross-contact. In addition, by labeling allergen-free dishes, you can identify safe options for you. It’s also a good idea to bring your own food with you so you can enjoy it if needed.

Finally, consider making and bringing a food or dessert in a portion size that’s big enough that everyone can have some; that way, you know it is safe, and you don’t have to feel awkward about being the only one to have it. 

Pool parties and going to the beach are two of the main activities that people enjoy throughout the summer! These attractions can be at someone's house, local town, or even out of town when going on vacation. Being outside all day in the weather is always great, but making sure you have enough energy to do so is very important! Some places may offer places for people to get food, while others may not.

It might be hard in these types of settings to make sure that you are getting that energy, without having the fear of any food allergies. You are never 100% clear from allergies when getting food from outside vendors. Some places may not necessarily be able to accommodate your needs, so it is important to continue to look after yourself. With that being said, many people find that bringing your own food is the best way to ensure your safety!

Whether that be to a pool party or beach day, pack your own snacks so you are able to enjoy the weather and stay safe! There are many tasty allergy-friendly recipes and snack options that can be enjoyed during the summer! Many ideas can be found online in articles or blogs, such as Taste of Home, which provide allergy-friendly recipes!

Summer camps are an excellent way for kids and teens to engage in a variety of activities with friends in great weather! Some kids may be interested in going to camps that have activities such as sports, arts, music, and even sleep-away camps.

Certain camps may involve eating different meals provided by the camp organizations or third-party catering. With that being said, it is especially important to make sure each kid has the opportunity to safely enjoy food with the allergies that they may have. There are many tips and tricks that a family can utilize when it comes to ensuring their child is safe when attending these types of camps!

The first step of this process can be reaching out to the administrators or company putting on the camp. These people will be the first ones you can discuss any allergies with, and they can then lead you to a nutritionist or dietician that the camp may have! 

These personnel can tell you about the food that will be served and help navigate through these food allergies. They can help ensure safe eating habits for camps, whether that be allergy-friendly meals or coordination with parents for the child to bring their own food! The main goal of summer camps is to ensure that kids are having the best experience but also to ensure their safety, and fortunately, both are possible.

Vacations can be the highlight of the summer, but they can also be one of the trickiest situations to navigate with a food allergy. Doing research in advance is key! To find restaurants to eat at, referencing online guides such as AllergyEats or Spokin can be a great place to start. On these platforms, you can tap into a database of restaurants known for their ability to accommodate those with allergies, and you can tailor your search to the city you are traveling to. Discover restaurants known to be accommodating with food allergies wherever you are traveling. Those with food allergies will recommend different restaurants and eateries as well as share their positive and negative experiences dining there.

These guides are a perfect place to find restaurants to further look into! In addition, it can be helpful to either find an allergen menu and preview it ahead of time or call a restaurant and ask to speak to a manager or chef to determine if there are safe dishes available. Having a plan of what you are going to do for meals will make any vacation run smoother!

In addition to restaurants, finding out if there are grocery stores near your hotel can be helpful. It can be easier to find safe food at such locations since it will be packaged and labeled. If your hotel has a refrigerator, you can even buy extra food for future meals and snacks.

Also, it is important to always keep a snack on you during your travels. This way, no matter where you end up, you will always have something safe to eat. Going a step further, choosing to stay somewhere with a kitchen, such as a vacation rental home or apartment, can alleviate much of the stress brought about by dining out with food allergies by allowing you to cook your own meals.

When traveling internationally, it is possible that you may not speak the native language, which can pose barriers to clearly articulating your allergy and needs to restaurant staff. If you expect to be in this situation, it is important to print out FARE’s Food Allergy Chef Cards, available on the FARE website, to be able to communicate your allergy with others. With some extra planning, traveling with a food allergy can be a safe and fun experience!

It’s a hard job having food allergies. Constantly needing to be aware of our surroundings, knowing exactly what we are eating, and having a plan no matter what can become pretty overwhelming. The summer months shouldn’t add to this stress–it should be a time to relax after a hard-working school year.