navigating halloween with food allergies

It’s that time of year again, and the spooky season is upon us! Bring on the cooler temperatures, sweaters, and all things pumpkin. It’s an especially fun and special time for kids, too. For them, this season is synonymous with costumes, and well, really treats. But for those with food allergies, it can be a tricky time trying to figure out what you can have around Halloween.

Because so many children have faced uncertainty in the last year, being able to enjoy the Fall season takes on a new meaning this go around, making this time extra special. Instead of feeling like your child has to go without, let’s talk about how they can have a fun and festive Halloween. I’ll share with you a favorite new recipe of mine using egglife egg white original wraps, a few additional fun food ideas, and some of my tricks and tricks so that you can navigate it all with ease.

What better way to start October off with a bang than to cook something up in the kitchen with your kids. I’ve created a fun recipe that everyone can enjoy: the pumpkin mummy hand pie! egglife wraps can really take on any flavor combination, are light and fluffy, and make the perfect base for this pie. They contain minimal and clean ingredients, and can really help save you some time in the kitchen when it comes to baking.

To me, these hand pies are a win-win: they’re allergen-friendly and incredibly delicious (hello gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and nut-free), and this treat is also one that you can create together in the kitchen, allowing your kid to be head chef. You’ll have fun, feel good, and also have the cutest mummies on your hands in the end (who doesn’t love a good googly eye?!)

In addition to making this recipe, here are a few other favorites using egglife egg white wraps that you can Halloween-ify if you will!

Keto-Friendly Dessert Nachos : Top with a moody and spooky fall fruit and place festive sprinkles on top of melted chocolate (grapes, figs, apples)

Keto-Hot Dog Mummies: Keep the mummy train going if you want something more on the savory side.

Cinnamon Chip and Pumpkin Dip: Make the dip look like a spider’s web, Use your plain, dairy-free yogurt of choice and spoon into a 1-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag; cut tip from 1 corner of the bag. Pipe your yogurt to make a spiderweb design over top of the pumpkin dip.

Keto Chips: Make them into tombstone shapes and create your own graveyard. Place the chips upright in your favorite dip and things will be looking extra scary.

Pro tip: Add a fun factor in and make anything fall into season with cookie cutters! Think bats, ghosts, witch’s hats, etc and use them to make your sandwiches, quesadillas, pancakes, pepperoni slices; put that creativity to use!

Halloween also brings about all of the parties, events and social gatherings, too. So now that you’ve got a handle on the kitchen, l’m going to share my top five tricks and treats when you’re out and about, so that you can feel safe and just have fun!

Here are my Top 5 Tricks to help you get through Halloween:

1. Read Your Food Labels: This will definitely be my number one for you and your kids. Foods tend to be labeled gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, etc, and they follow specific guidelines, rules and regulations to abide by those criteria. However, if you’re uncertain of a food, read the label and it’s ingredients. Even if a food may not contain the known allergen, it could be processed in a facility containing gluten, dairy, nuts, etc, especially if there’s not a label; think small, individually packaged candy. Talk with your kids about what to look for and the right questions to ask if they get offered food or treats where they may be unsure of ingredients, especially if you as the parent may not be present.
2. Be in the Know: Talk with your neighbors, teachers, and other parents to let them know if your child has any food allergies. It helps to have a team on your side, and the more people that are aware of your child’s allergies, the better.
3. Look for Teal Pumpkins: Teal pumpkins are a fantastic way to know that this house is on your side. In 2014, the Food Allergy Research and Education organization started a campaign to highlight awareness around food allergies. The color teal symbolizes that the house you’re visiting is providing non-food options and items that will be allergen- friendly. Let’s just all hope it’s not a toothbrush!
4. Start a New Trend: Whether you’re hosting the event or attending it, bring some non-food items into the mix! Yes to making your own treats, but why not add in a little bit extra? Think stickers, glow-sticks, spider web wings, etc.
5. Get Creative in the Kitchen: Go for a twist on the classics and make foods that fit your kid’s needs. Show them that food can still be fun (cue all the “brains”, graveyards, shapes, googly eyes, etc that you can think of!

With these recipes and helpful tips, you’ll be able to approach Halloween this year without all of the extra hocus pocus. You can focus on the fun, the scary, and that time cherished and spent together.