Food Intolerance | 4th Of July Celebrations | US Food

Nothing celebrates the birthday of America like flags, fireworks, parades, and of course, the food. Like most holidays, traditions hold a special place in people’s hearts so the smells of hot dogs, apple pie, and meat cooked on the grill are nostalgic to many. But with the rise of food allergies and intolerance, it’s time we did a little more research.

Whether you’re celebrating the 4^th of July with a picnic, a day on the lake, or a family party in the garden, it’s likely that you’ll be looking forward to eating classic American dishes in the sunshine, while sipping lemonade or an ice-cold Budweiser. And what could be more perfect?

Typically, the prospect of a day spent eating, drinking, and making memories with loved ones is something to be excited about. But if you have a food intolerance, or you’re currently experiencing symptoms such as bloating, headaches, and abdominal pain, it’s only natural to be feeling apprehensive about whether your Independence Day plans will be affected. The good news is that you can still celebrate all-American traditions, so long as you’re well prepared.

Speak to the host

Obvious as it may sound, if you’re heading to a picnic or party, speaking to the host about your food intolerance is the easiest way to make sure there is something that you can eat. It also gives them the opportunity to make changes to their food to accommodate your dietary requirements. They could perhaps buy gluten-free buns for the hotdogs and hamburgers if you’re intolerant to wheat. Or if dairy products affect your digestion, perhaps they could serve ice pops as well as ice cream and leave the butter off the corn on the cob. Whatever your intolerance, the 4^th of July is a holiday to celebrate America so your host will want all of their guests to eat well and have a blast.

Label up the foods in case someone has a food intolerance

If you decide to speak to the party’s host, it’s worth asking if they’d mind labeling the dishes that are served. While a lot of food is likely to flow from the grill to the table, putting labels next to anything pre-prepared will stop you and other guests from accidentally eating something that could make you feel unwell. Doing this also makes it easier for everyone to find foods they like and dislike and gives the table a little extra touch (especially if the labels have an American theme!).

Do some research on food intolerances

Although some ingredients are easy to identify, it’s worth doing some extra research into your food intolerance as some have a habit of appearing in dishes you wouldn’t expect. It’s pretty obvious that eggs are used to bake cupcakes, for example, but they’re also often used in potato salads when hard-boiled. Drinks are usually more straightforward, but strange as it might sound, almond nuts are found in Bombay Sapphire Gin. If you plan on sticking to beer this holiday, that won’t be an issue, but if you’re planning on drinking some cocktails and have a nut intolerance, it could be bad news, so the extra research is worth doing.

Keep it simple

If you’re really worried about eating something that will cause your intolerance symptoms to flare up, stick to simple dishes that contain fewer ingredients. Anything that contains herbs and spices, sauces and toppings is more likely to cause a reaction if you’re sensitive to certain products, so are probably best avoided. Instead, (depending on what your food intolerance is,) opt for salads – without the dressing if possible, plain meats instead of spicy ribs, and perhaps leave the mustard off your hot dog!

Prepare a pack-up to avoid food intolerance symptoms

Like most things in life, honestly is usually the best policy. If you’re worried that your intolerance is going to ruin your 4^th July holiday, consider taking your own food to eat, especially if you’re having a casual celebration at the beach or the park. Even if there is a good variety of dishes to choose from, knowing you have a backup plan will help you look forward to the celebrations rather than worrying that there won’t be anything suitable. Being intolerant to certain products can make some occasions quite stressful, but it’s important that you feel comfortable and have the freedom to make choices that are best for you. Especially on Independence Day.

If you’re thinking of booking an intolerance test, have a look at the FAQ page on our website www.usfoodintolerance.com You can also drop us an email via [email protected] if you have any questions you’d like us to answer.

If you are interested in purchasing an intolerance test, please use code: FOURTH at the checkout for an 20% extra discount when you go to order your test. Enjoy the celebrations!