6 B's for Navigating Social Events with Food Allergies/Sensitivities — erinlamb

So next time you have an event….

#1- Be prepared- even when I think there will be something I can eat at the event, party or dinner, I often pack a snack in my bag. There is nothing worse than showing up, not being able to eat anything and feeling like you are going to starve. (okay dramatic…but really.) I always have a little snack packed – protein bars, nuts, dried fruit, whole fruit, veggies, a packet of nut butter or crackers. I often will eat before I go somewhere and if there is food I am able to eat it’s a sweet bonus!

#2- Be confident – your food sensitivities/allergies are part of who you are and that is okay! When you are confident in explaining your allergies/sensitivities people will take you more seriously and the less questions and weird stares you will get. There is nothing worse than people thinking your allergies/sensitivities aren’t that serious and decide “it’s okay if they have a little bit….”

#3- Be up front – educate people about your allergies. Tell them in advance. It takes the awkwardness away for you and the host! You don’t want them feeling bad that they didn’t have any food that you could eat. I always offer to bring an allergy friendly snack/food to contribute OR offer to contribute ingredients to a dish so it’s safe for me to eat.

#4- Be patient with yourself – practice makes perfect. The more you explain to people WHY you can’t eat a certain food, or without going into details telling them you have a food allergy/sensitivity the easier it will get.

#5- Be guilt free- it’s not YOUR fault you can’t eat the food. There is no need to apologize for something that isn’t your fault! If it was because you were just too picky…that’s a different story. It’s not worth your pain & discomfort to eat something the host has made because you feel bad and don’t want to offend them.

#6- Be a buddy, bring a buddy – It is important to make good friends for support, and a huge part of that is being a good friend. When you are a good friend your buddies are going to be there for you because they know you are there for them! There is nothing more comforting than someone who understands your allergies/sensitivities and is there to back you up! It’s like having a ‘wing man’ for your food. Find someone who understands you and is willing to stand up for you when you are lacking confidence or even to stand behind what you have to say.

Remember practice makes perfect… your first few, or even dozen events you attend with your food allergy/sensitivity might be hard…but the more you practice the easier it will get! You deserve to enjoy events, parties, dinners as much as every one else does!

SO PARTY ON!

xo erin

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