We are entering the holiday season. Friends, family, parties, and all sorts of fun to be had. At the same time, our potential exposure to gluten increases exponentially. Here are a couple of tips to keep you safe…..

Whether to a party or out for drinks with friends, make sure you eat before leaving your home. Your home has safe food. You don’t want to be at an event where there is a bunch of food and hungry. Hungry leads to temptation and temptation leads to gluten. So, go with a full belly from a safe location.

If you want to bring a snack, that is lovely. Once people have been able to eat it, you don’t know what has happened to it. It is likely no longer gluten free. So, once it is out, don’t eat any more. You could set aside a small amount for you, put it on their plates, and enjoy. Again, nobody will know the difference.

If consuming alcohol, here are some tips. Stick to single ingredient beverages. Drinks in cans marked gluten free are safe. If drinking mixed drinks, stick to mixers you know are gluten free. Distilled liquor without added flavoring (tequila, rum, vodka, bourbon), wine, Prosecco, and champagne are gluten free.

Yes, distilled alcohol without additional flavorings even made with gluten ingredients are gluten free.

Even better, bring a cooler, put it in an out of the way area, use their cups and nobody will be the wiser!

When drinking, make sure you have a sober driver, you know this, but I have to say it!

As a side note, I would recommend not complaining about being gluten free. I know it can be hard. I can get on a roll too. If someone asks, answer politely that yes, you are gluten free and no it isn’t a choice. Then ask them about something they are interested in… their children, isn’t this party awesome, who is that cute boy/girl. But change the subject because being gluten free is not all that you are!

Go to the party and have fun.