Thanksgiving is centered around food(what a great holiday)! I remember when I first started eating gluten free and the thought of holidays was so saddening! I thought of how I would be missing out on tons of yummy food!
Thankfully, I have the BEST mother who has cooked & taught me gluten and dairy free thanksgiving meals since I changed my food lifestyle! Thanksgiving has now become a holiday that I look forward to and the one time of the year where I feast on yummy gluten free food(there is hope)!
1. Call the host ahead: If you are not hosting the meal, call the host and say you are wondering what you can bring (great excuse to find out what you will and will not be able to eat)! This way you'll be prepared and can bring a helpful gf dish that the host will appreciate.
2. Bring a Gluten Free Dish to share: This tip is my favorite! You get to bring a dish that you know is safe, healthy, and that you can eat while informing and making others aware of celiac. I love when others eat my dishes and are completely unaware of the dish being gluten free as they scarf it down with enjoyment! ;)
3. Pack your own Thanksgiving tray: If you know you will not be able to eat anything offered at the holiday, bring a plate of your Thanksgiving favorites! My mother and I one year made plates for our holidays that included dairy free mashed potatoes, corn, turkey, gluten free rolls, gluten free noodles, and a gluten free dessert. No one noticed at the holiday and we enjoyed our meals like everyone else!
4. Serve yourself first: If you can do this in a nice kind way, do it! This can prevent cross-contamination during the holidays.
5. Consider hosting the event: I love hosting events that involve food! One year we had an entire Thanksgiving that was gluten and dairy free. NO ONE noticed lol! Not sure if I enjoyed the plethora of yummy gluten free food the most or the fact that everyone around me was eating gluten free and didn't even know it!
6. Be prepared for questions: Learn to not get annoyed by questions and people who are curious. Use the experience as a learning tool and allow the opportunity to inform others of the seriousness of food allergies and healthy eating!
7. Don't be anxiety ridden: You're going to eat and enjoy yourself. Do not panic about the ifs and buts! Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal and everything else will fall into place!
8. Be Prepared: Consider looking up recipes early on! Pinterest and blogs have been a favorite of mine in the hunt of finding Thanksgiving recipes! I have also customized and changed family recipes and made them gluten and dairy free! My family has a tradition of making homemade noodles every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are similar to dumplings and are straight gluten! It is the new tradition in the house to make them completely gluten free! They are just as delicious and even healthier. We use gluten free flour and have permanently altered the family recipe! Don't be afraid to get creative! Creativity is a must for my house when there is NO meat, gluten, dairy, or peanuts! :)
