Holiday Planning for Special Diets

Photo by Valeria Boltneva

In my book, Generations of Good Food, I advise people to consider special diets before making recipes. My mother was a diabetic, a nephew has celiac, a niece has nut allergies, there is one who cannot eat dairy. How do you accommodate everyone’s needs, plus those guests who have no special dietary needs other than to eat? It turns meal planning for holidays into a marathon. When I was young the most significant food allergy dealt with was someone who could not eat salt. Today, generational meals or cultural favorites are difficult to prepare if someone has a food allergy.

I have learned through the years that wheat allergies (gluten-free diets) need not be a dilemma for Italian dinners. I make seasoned breadcrumbs from gluten-free hamburger buns. Recipes requiring breadcrumbs are no longer a restriction for anyone. Holiday planning for specioal diets that involve different vegetables, raw or cooked, and salads are healthy options for every occasion. Desserts can be a bit tricky, there are many pre-packaged dessert options available, but fresh fruits are always the best option. When shopping for menu items when considering food allergies, it is mandatory to read labels. Today, labels will warn if there is dairy or wheat (gluten).

If the meal is a family gathering, consider asking those with difficult food allergies to bring a dish. Another alternative would be to have everyone participate in planning and preparing the meal. If pasta is on the menu, then gluten free pasta must be prepared separately in a separate pan with separate utensils so there is no cross-contamination between regular wheat pasta and wheat-free. Antipasto platters must separate cheeses, meats, fruit, vegetables, and nuts for cross contamination. Make swaps wherever possible like using olive oil in place of butter. It is helpful to label desserts containing nuts and serve them together. For Christmas I put candy and cookies containing nuts on the same platter and identify the allergens with a simple sign. Holiday planning for special diets must also cover sweets.

Fortunately, pre-prepared foods specific to food allergies are available in stores like Sprouts and Whole Foods. While they may be costlier, the manufacturer addresses allergy concerns. Sometimes packaged items are ready for consumption while others offer suggestions for preparation. In any event, it makes planning a holiday meal for guests with food allergies less stressful. There is nothing worse than having a guest sit and watch others eat because of their food allergies. So, make sure there are options, raw or cooked, that ensure everyone at the table can participate in the meal.

In addition to food allergies, we also must contend with those who are vegetarian or vegan. Be sure to ask if their diet allows food additions since there are plant-based diet options. They include:

Vegan – A strict diet excluding all animal-based products and animal additives.

Vegetarian – This diet focuses on plant-based sources, excluding meat, dairy, eggs, poultry, seafood, and fish.

Pescatarian – Fish and seafood are both added to this vegetarian diet.

Flexitarian – This diet includes both animal and plant-based foods but are primarily based on consuming more plants.

What are some swaps to consider? Vegetables provide important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Fruits are often considered superfoods and an excellent source for health benefits. Nuts are rich in Omega-3 vitamins and offer a different texture. Whole grains are essential but difficult for some people to digest. They should be preferable to processed grains such as white bread. Finally, legumes (beans, lentils, and peas) are a rich source of protein. Adding any of these foods to a meal is a benefit for everyone and not just the person with a food allergy.

Hosting a holiday meal in this era of food allergies and food preferences can be challenging. There are ways to make the job less stressful and the meal palatable. We can educate ourselves about the different food choices and how it affects our guests. While this is not an easy task, it does make holiday planning for special diets a whole lot easier.

Generations of Good Food contains 200 recipes that can be adjusted to fit every dietary constraint. Enjoy the stories that bring family to the table. Grab a copy at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or at www.onecaregiversjourney.com.