I have found it to be pretty easy, actually! As long as the family member understands food allergies, that is. My parents call them up at least a week before Thanksgiving and remind them about my food allergies. Then they talk about what kinds of recipes I can eat. My parents explain how a few small changes can keep me safe – avoid this kind of sauce, ditch that dessert, don’t use foods with peanut butter.

My parents also remind the relative to keep all the ingredient labels and recipes. That way, we can read them together to be sure everything’s OK for me to eat. If there’s one dish I can’t have, oh well. It’s Thanksgiving, there’s a lot of other food to eat!