Tailgating with Food Allergies Can Be a Touchdown
AllergyHealth for Allergenis
Are you ready for some football?!
Tailgating is a rite of passage for fans of all sports. It’s a fun way to socialize before you get down to the serious business of willing your team to win. It’s easy to make sure your tailgate is a touchdown even if you have or are hosting someone with food allergies. Whether you set up tables outside before the big game or plop on the couch with friends, you can safely join in the fun with a few simple tips.
Tailgate food is usually simple and standard and often is organized in potluck style. Be sure to let the organizers know you have a food allergy and ask them to bring/keep packaging handy so you can read ingredient labels.
Volunteer to bring items that are typically the most difficult for you to navigate. That might be dips or dessert for those with dairy or nut allergies. Or hamburger and hot dog buns for someone allergic to sesame.
Brands make a difference to people with food allergies. If one brand is safe while another is not, speak up ahead of time so whoever is buying can look out for your safety.
If a grill is part of your tailgate routine, cook for those with food allergies before your other guests or grill on a piece of tin foil to prevent cross contact with potential allergens.
Place sauces and dressing (which often contain allergens like dairy, soy, and sesame) on the side as an alternative for fans with food allergies.
Beware of alcohol. Alcohol is a cofactor, which means it can make a person with food allergies more sensitive to their allergen and create conditions for more serious reactions to occur.
Bring your epinephrine auto-injectors with you – from the tailgate into the game. Do not leave them in a car. Not only are they sensitive to heat and cold, but they cannot help you if they’re not with you.
If you’re going to a stadium, check out their bag policies. NFL stadiums and others require clear bags to enter and coolers are not allowed. You ARE still allowed to bring your epinephrine auto-injectors and some stadiums allow you to bring in safe food (typically not beverages, however). If you attend game in a hot climate, consider small, insulated bags (such as those for make-up) and pop a lunchbox-size freezer pack alongside your auto-injectors to keep them at room temperature.
If you plan on eating in the stadium, look up the vendors in advance. Many stadiums house off-shoots of restaurants – where you can look at an allergen menu online or call the main restaurant before the game to ask questions and map out what is safe for you to eat. Don’t forget to ask questions about cross-contact and cross-contamination in the stadium locations where kitchens and prep spaces are often smaller.
Now that you’ve got the winning play on how to handle your food allergies, get on your team colors, paint your face, and get ready to successfully tackle your next tailgate!