Page 5 - BrockCoNewsletter-NovDec2025.indd

on the rise:

NAVIGATING DIETARY RESTRICTIONS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON
The holidays often revolve around food, DOUBLE CHECK INGREDIENTS. Don’t IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
which can make things challenging if be afraid to ask politely about ingredients or While non-food-related activities are always
you have dietary restrictions. To help you to look at packaging. It’s okay to confi rm fun, what should you do if you or someone
enjoy the season stress-free, here are some that dishes are safe for you to eat. you know has a food allergy emergency? Call
simple strategies: an ambulance if there are signs of restricted
IF YOU’RE HOSTING. When planning
TALK TO THE HOST. Inform the host your menu, think about guests with dietary breathing. If a guest is having a mild reaction,
of your diet restrictions in advance. Ask restrictions or food allergies. Ask them ahead an antihistamine often brings relief.

what food is going to be o ered, or o er of time if they have any dietary restrictions, Dietary restrictions can be tough to navigate
to bring a dish you can safely eat. Your allergies, or are observing religious holidays during the holiday season. Fortunately, with
thoughtfulness may also help others with that require specifi c dietary practices. Your these simple tips, you can focus more on the
similar needs. guests will appreciate you taking that extra fun and worry less.
step to accommodate them in advance. Source:
SHARE INFORMATION WITH THE
COOK. Send a quick message explaining PLAN FOOD FREE ACTIVITIES https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/
which foods to avoid and how cross- Enjoy the holiday spirit in other ways, too. Try: christmas-ideas/g29391136/best-adult-
contamination can be an issue. Remind them • Watching a festive light show with your christmas-party-games/
that each dish should have its own serving friends and family https://www.eatright.org/food/cultural-cuisines-
utensil. A few days before the event, follow • Playing board games and-traditions/holidays-and-celebrations/9-
ways-to-deal-with-dietary-restrictions-at-
up to see if the host has any questions. holiday-meals
• Creating a vision board for the upcoming year

spotlight on superf ds:
PUMPKIN

It can be sweet or savory. It is full of water a hearty soup, or turned into the center of a
and nutrients. It’s healthy and delicious. No savory pie.
wonder pumpkin is considered a superfood.
Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are
Pumpkin is a fruit native to Central and a healthy option too. They contain protein,
South America. European explorers helped amino acids, fiber, and antioxidants. You can

spread it around the world. Because it’s ready roast them for a snack, sprinkle them on salads,
for harvest in the fall, markets, bakeries, use them in hummus, or add them to roasted
and dining rooms are fi lled with pumpkins vegetables.
in all shapes and colors. Orange is the most If you can’t find fresh pumpkin, canned

common color, but pumpkins also come in a pumpkin is a great choice. Just make sure it
variety of colors, including blue, green, red, says “100% pumpkin” or “pure pumpkin.”
and white. Some cans are filled with sugar and spices for

Pumpkin is rich in vitamins A, C, B2, and pie fi lling, so be sure to choose the right one.
E. In fact, 4 ounces of cooked pumpkin Fresh or canned, roasted or baked, pumpkin is
provides 225% of your daily vitamin A needs. a tasty and nutritious ingredient worth adding
It also contains antioxidants that support your to your plate.
immune system, help protect your heart, and
maintain eye health. Source:

Since pumpkin has a mild fl avor, it works well https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/
in many dishes. The fl esh is hard, so it’s usually pumpkin
baked, roasted, or boiled. Cooked pumpkin https://health.clevelandclinic.org/pumpkin-
can be added to pancake batter, made into seeds-7-ways