Summer Fun
Summer is one of my favorite times of the year. There is no school, my birthday is in August, and there is plenty of time to do all kinds of fun things. But even during all the fun, someone with food allergies must still be vigilant about what they are eating. It is easy to go to a picnic and want to have everything on the table; however, you must be sure that you know where the food came from and what it contains before you eat it. There are many parties and other situations during the summer where people all bring different dishes to contribute to the meal. With all different combinations of foods and foods from different sources, it can be difficult to discern what is safe to eat and what is potentially dangerous.
It is smart to plan ahead and make a meal for yourself to bring, wrapped separately from the food you are bringing for everyone to have. You can’t assume just because you brought the food included in the spread that it is safe for you to eat once it has been sitting out with other dishes. Cross-contact is common at events like picnics, barbeques, parties and buffets. You have to make sure you always know there is something for you to eat that you are positive is safe.
Traveling is another big part of the summer. My family goes on vacation almost every year, usually to the beach. We bring some food with us, generally frozen meals that my mom makes. This way, there is always a meal that I can have ready to be served whenever needed. We do grocery shopping once we get there, so I know there are always safe snacks around. I believe it is very important to try as many things as you possibly can, so we often go out to eat when we are on vacation. You always have to take precautions with restaurants, but you should never rule them out just because you have a food allergy. As long as you take the proper precautions and check the restaurants out before you eat, dining out is a great way to have fun in the summer.
Summer is a fun time to enjoy lots of good food from family, friends, restaurants, and other great dining experiences. You have to remember to be cautious and careful while still allowing yourself to enjoy all the wonderful things you are able to eat.
