30 Tips for a Fantastic Food-Allergy Thanksgiving

30 Tips for a Fantastic Food-Allergy Thanksgiving. Do you/family member/friend have food allergies? Especially with a food focused Holiday like Thanksgiving, understanding how to keep everyone safe and have a wonderful time together is key. Although often times, people don’t like to talk about their dietary restrictions, it is essential to fully understand all food allergies/intolerances people have. So, whatever the food allergens are, these #foodallergytips will be sure to make your Thanksgiving extra special.

Updated: November 2024 🙂

Want everything organized & in 1 place? Grab our free 2023 Food Allergy Holiday Planner here:

It’s our gift to all of you in the Food Allergy Community. XOXO, Cindi & An Easy Journey Team

Our Food Allergy specific Holiday Planner starts at Thanksgiving, on to Christmas & ends with New Years. So, let’s begin with The Big Feast – Thanksgiving #foodallergyyum!

30 Tips for a Fantastic Food-Allergy Thanksgiving – Menu

Knowing what you’re making/buying is tip #1. In our experience with food allergies for over 2 decades, tip #2 is give anyone who doesn’t really understand food allergies, easy things to buy. As examples: individual water bottles, cider, lemonade, soda, paper goods, beer or wine. These are all things that have labels too!

On to tip #3: Get organized! Grab the Food Allergy Holiday Planner.

And make ahead any foods that can be frozen for Thanksgiving (Tip #4). See our previous blog post on Yummy Fall Food Allergy Recipes. All my family LOVES our healthy Pumpkin Chip Bread! Actually, this leads us to tip #5: plan your entire Thanksgiving Day meals so that you have safe, #foodallergyfriendly foods for breakfast, lunch & snacks.

Thanksgiving Food Allergy Recipes

Thanksgiving food allergy recipes – YUM!

Actually, Thanksgiving is super easy to prepare. For years, we went scuba diving over Thanksgiving with our travel scuba diving group. As we actually left on Thanksgiving Day, we would bring a frozen turkey with us. And, as we traveled, our turkey was defrosting! In fact, these trips are some of my favorite Thanksgiving memories. Alternatively, our last few years we spent Thanksgiving at my in-law’s house. Did I mention that the oven and half the stove burners did not work? And Thanksgiving is for 20-25 people! Although these have now become our best memories.

Let’s talk turkey!

Besides being scrumptious, this Herb-Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey with pan roasted gravy (Tip #6) is only 15-minutes prep. And SOOO juicy everyone will want seconds!

Of course, our gravy recipe is a secret. 😉 And super easy! Just add 1/2 cup flour and a pinch of sugar to pan juices (can be #glutenfree flour) and whisk. You can add more broth if you like or more flour to get consistency you like.

As well as our lick-the-pan Italian Stuffing recipe (Tip #7). Alternatively, you can make using #glutenfree bread. Seriously, this is the dish EVERYONE has 3 servings of!

And our Make ahead Cranberry Sauce (Tip #8) can be made days in advance.

Although Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Tip #9) get really high marks too. (Wash & cut slits in 4 large organic sweet potatoes. Then roast at 375F for 35 – 45 minutes. Or microwave. Once cooked through, immediately scoop insides or use entire sweet potato. Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 – 3 tablespoons real maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, & any fresh herbs (optional) into a large bowl. #dairyfree #vegan

So, grab a cocktail or try this Fall Sangria (Tip #10) & let’s have some fun!

Although you probably know this, recipe videos are on our Instagram page.

After these 30 Tips for a Fantastic Food-Allergy Thanksgiving, you’re going to want to host every year!

Tips for Saving Money

As everyone in the food allergy community knows, a lot of these safe foods tend to be pricey. But not so bad if you follow tips above & buy and make some ahead of time. As well as looking for sales starting early November (Tip #11). Before grocery shopping, make a Thanksgiving master list (Tip #12 – Did you print out the Holiday planner?). List out all ingredients for each dish you will be preparing. And anytime you see an item on your list that is on sale, buy now. Also, look online for allergy-friendly brands coupons (Tip #13).

Additionally, some fun Thanksgiving weekend ideas that are also money saving:

instead of eating out, go on a Fall picnic (Tip #14) or homemade dinner with friends, watching movies/playing games at home (Tip #15).

See, that wasn’t so bad!

30 Tips for a Fantastic Food-Allergy Thanksgiving -Traveling

So, you have Thanksgiving travels ahead of you? Of course, this is our favorite! 🙂

Ahead of time, pickup any travel accessories (Tip #16), Always have a backpack cooler/cooler & food allergy safe food for the expected travel time + 24 hours for possible delays/cancellations (Tip #17). Although this has never happened to us…hahaha! Specifically, why we always say to our clients to throw a bag of pasta/your food allergy friendly staples into your bags. At least for a 1st meal on arrival at your destination. Our Food Allergy Ultimate Packing List has more excellent travel suggestions (Tip #18).

As well as book a hotel or vacation rental with a kitchen (Tip #19).

And Tip #20 is bringing disinfecting wipes, disposable gloves, small trash bags whether you’re driving, flying or taking the train. As keeping your area clean & free from potential food allergens is paramount.

Stress-free & Fun Thanksgiving Tips

So, are all your family/friends/Thanksgiving guests positive, helpful & funny? Yeah, us too! 🙂 Although we can’t change anyone, we can be in our best frame of mind & exude positivity! Especially when doing these:

Tip #21: Sleep, glorious sleep! As always, the more well-rested, the easier it is to walk away from smarminess. If that means an hour nap away from everyone, so be it. And plan some exercise time (Tip #22). A hike/walk/yoga or playing tag with your kids is a great way to get the endorphins flowing!

Another fun family activity & may lower stress, is to journal (Tip #23). At Thanksgiving, especially nice to reflect on this past year’s blessings.

• Wishing you Hope, Joy, Peace, Good Health, Blessings & Love on this Thanksgiving Day! Your friendship is indeed a GREAT Blessing to us.

As well as make a few playlists including a calming playlist (Tip #24). Not only on Thanksgiving. I do this every day when work is finished and making dinner, I put on my Romantic Evening playlist. As it has lots of jazz, Italian tenor Andre Boccelli & Josh Groban. Whatever you like that makes you feel good!

Lastly, call a friend/supportive family member if you need to vent. Is it something that you can laugh about? Laughter really is the best medicine.

Our Private FB Group Food Allergy Travels & Life is a very supportive community.

30 Tips for a Fantastic Food-Allergy Thanksgiving – Allergy Friendly Decor

Did you know that many people who have #foodallergies also have seasonal & environmental allergies?

This may include things like flowers – a common hostess gift. If you are allergic to flowers, let your guests know in advance (Tip #25). As a suggestion could recommend an artificial arrangement instead (Tip #26).

Another item that may be problematic is latex balloons. Tip #27 is to send email/put on invitation a reminder what your specific no-no’s are. Remember to list things like candles, perfumes/scented items & candy (Tip #28).

Tip #29 is to use Thanksgiving to subtly advocate for all of us in the #foodallergycommunity. As Thanksgiving is geared towards food, perfect opportunity to talk about the Food Allergy Epidemic.

And our Tip #30 is to keep your Halloween Teal Pumpkin as part of your decor. Many people have not heard that the Teal Pumpkin is a symbol for those of us #livingwithfoodallergies.

Done: 30 Tips for a Fantastic Food-Allergy Thanksgiving! Wishing you & your family the very best Thanksgiving.

🙂 Please let us know your #Thanksgiving food allergy tips/recipes in the comments.

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