Thanksgiving advice for alpha-gal sufferers

Navigating the holiday table with food allergies can be challenging. The prevalence of people with alpha-gal syndrome on the Island is hardly news. In fact, the numbers are so large that it’s made the national news. So it seemed like the perfect time to speak with Vineyard Nutrition’s Prudence Levy, MS, RDN, LDN, for tips and tricks for eating during the holidays while managing the tick-borne allergy. Sensitivity varies, but what follows is for those who need to avoid both red meat and dairy. “It seems obvious, but No. 1 is always to speak to the hostess ahead of time,” said Levy. “A lot of people are shy about doing that. But the last thing a host wants is to make you sick.” You can ask that sauces be kept on the side. Levy suggested bringing your own beverages if you’re very sensitive to beer, wine, or water, since processing and/or bottling these drinks can involve animal ingredients. Spring and tap water are safe.

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