Staying healthy during the holidays

If you have decided to gather with friends and family this year for the holiday season, chances are the experience is going to be very different in comparison with all the years previous. Lower the chances of you and your loved ones getting sick during the holidays by taking extra safety precautions.

Getting tested for Covid-19 before your gathering can help determine if you are infected and need to stay home. Below are some food safety tips to consider for your holiday get together.

Rethink the Appetizers

Appetizers can be a tasty way to wait on the meal to be ready, but they’re also a great way to spread germs. With all the guests sticking their hands in the dishes and hovering around the chip dip, the risk of spreading something increases.

Consider not having appetizers this year. If you do, avoid finger foods and dips or prepare single serve plates ahead of time for guests to grab.

Together... at a Distance

If possible, have family and friends stay sit six feet apart while socializing and eating.

Keep Guests Out of the Kitchen

It is common for family and friends to gather in the kitchen as the food is being prepared, but it is best to keep guests out of the kitchen. The less time guests spend in proximity to the food, the better. It only takes one person sneezing on the mashed potatoes to ruin everyone’s day.

Put At-Risk Guests First

Whether you are serving the food buffet-style or having guests dish up at the table, allow the more at risk members of the family to dip up before the other guests. For example, let grandma and grandpa go first.

Act Like a Restaurant

Many restaurants are requiring their employees to wear face masks and disposable gloves while preparing food, and that’s a good idea! Wear a face mask and disposable gloves and/ or wash your hands frequently while preparing and serving food. Consider having one or two people in charge of preparing everyone’s plates. This will decrease the number of people in contact with the food and serving utensils.

Dish Out Desserts

Put desserts on single-serve plates to allow guests to walk up and quickly grab what they want. The less time people spend dipping up and breathing on the food, the better.