7 Hosting Tips To Enjoy The Holidays Despite Dietary Restrictions
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are on the horizon, which means gift shopping galore, quality family time and festive feasts are upon us. When it comes to food, the holiday season can be a difficult time for those with special diets, food allergies or sensitivities, or personal or religious preferences. Whether you’re a party guest or the host with the most, read on for some tips to make sure that everyone enjoys the holiday season, despite dietary restrictions.
Plan Ahead For The Party
The best way to make sure you’re meeting the needs of your guests is to simply ask them about their dietary preferences and take those into consideration. This way, you can curate a menu that’s inclusive for all of those attending. Conversely, as a guest, it’s important to give your host advance notice about your dietary restrictions. Also, you may need to go into the holiday season with no expectations — unfortunately, not every host will be willing (or able) to accommodate each individual guest.
If you are having a party with a family member or close friend, then they probably already know about your specific needs and are most likely more than willing to accommodate you. But if it’s a work party or the host is someone you’re not as close to, it may make things more difficult. Just be courteous by giving them advanced notice, and accept the fact that not every party will have a full feast of options that fit your specific needs or diet. That’s ok!—you can always offer to bring a dish or two for yourself that others can share as well.
Offer A Variety Of Dishes
Another way to be inclusive of dietary restrictions is to offer an assorted number of dishes that are gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian. Having a variety of options for various diets will make sure that everyone in attendance can enjoy a few items and leave feeling satisfied.
Tip: When offering a variety of dishes, be sure to make clear labels that state what each item can be classified as. This way, anyone with a dietary restriction can safely and easily navigate to find what will work for them.
Also, be sure to ask your guests about food allergies—especially severe reactions—and refrain from using those ingredients in or around your dishes.
Host An Appetizer Party
Another way to make sure everyone enjoys the holidays despite dietary restrictions or food sensitivities is to host a potluck-style party where everyone can bring their own dish. This is a fun way to switch it up, enjoy new recipes, and make sure everyone can take part in holiday feasting without worry.
Be Mindful Of Food Allergies
As a host, it’s extremely important to be cautious of food allergies or sensitivities when prepping meals. As we briefly mentioned above, actively avoid ingredients like nuts, eggs, shellfish or other seafood in your dishes. These are all common food allergens and it’s better to avoid them entirely to reduce the risk of accidental exposure.
Get Creative in the Kitchen
Do you ever feel like you’re in a recipe rut during the holidays? Instead of sticking to old favorites all winter long, get creative and try experimenting with some new recipes! Delve through Pinterest or Instagram food accounts to find some new recipes and test them out. You might find one that becomes a new favorite for seasons to come!
Tip: Many recipes can easily be modified for dietary restrictions and be just as delicious. If you or someone you’re cooking for has specific dietary needs, try substituting specific ingredients to fit those restrictions. For example, try swapping dairy for a dairy-free alternative.
With many grocery stores now selling an assortment of gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, catering to dietary restrictions is surprisingly a lot easier than it was just a few years ago. It might seem like a simple or easy thing to do, but it will have a positive lasting impact on your guests.
Cook for Yourself, Too!
During the holidays, it’s easy to get consumed in the hectic day to day. Parties and gatherings and feasts take up a lot of our time. An important way to fuel your body and its specific needs is to cook for yourself! It can be stressful just eating what others prepare for us for parties or what you’re preparing for others as a host. Remember to slow down and take time to listen to what your body wants and needs.
Eating healthy isn’t always at the forefront of our minds during the holiday season, but be sure to be mindful and fuel your body with nutrients that fit your specific needs. Nothing is worse than feeling sick over the holidays from allowing your immune system to get run down!
Balance is Key
The holidays can easily be a time of overconsumption and it’s common to feel as though you are straying off the health and wellness path. Even if you don’t have dietary restrictions or follow a specific diet, certain foods can frankly…just make you feel bad.
Does consuming too much dairy affect your stomach or make your skin breakout? Does eating a lot of sugar cause you to severely crash and need a nap in the middle of a family gathering? If you can answer yes to these questions, listen to your body.
Balance is key to everything in life, but our bodies give us cues to let us know when we’ve had enough. Sure, the holidays are absolutely the perfect time to indulge in cheese platters and eat your family’s famous sugar cookies—just be intuitive of what your body wants and needs.
The holiday season is a season filled with lots of time spent with loved ones — and lots of food. Be sure to communicate your dietary needs with friends and family and remember to fuel your body throughout the season with what makes it feel good.
As a host, use the dietary restrictions of your guests as a fun challenge to find new gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian recipes that everyone can enjoy. These dishes may quickly become new favorites for seasons to come and will create an all-inclusive space for everyone!