Accomodating special diets on Thanksgiving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Personally I would not want to attend a dinner where the host had the OP’s attitude of intolerance and disdain of other people’s dietary needs or preferences. Why even have these people as friends if you do not respect their needs and choices? And for the suggestion of sending an email saying here the menu so you can plan around it, that is completely inhospitable. If I received such an email I’d be offended and decline the invitation.

That's the point...to weed you out. We're not talking about not wanting to accommodate *needs and restrictions.* But "preferences" can go hang. I'm not in charge of Paleo-Today-Noom-Tomorrow types who are all over the place and suddenly have new restrictions every month, only to come to the table with a "Oh never mind the mashed cauliflower you made me--the mashed potatoes smelled so good and it's a holiday so I'm going to treat myself."

Picky eaters or Speeeecialllll Dieterrrrsssss who can't make a plate from multiple options, which always include a plain green vegetable and/or a green salad in many Thanksgiving spreads, in addition to the lean protein that is turkey--can get over themselves. If you're so picky and precious, don't come. That is, indeed, the point. Allergies and legitimate restrictions, I'm happy to work with you. Suddenly South Beach, you can stay home.

The problem is you’re interpretation of a legitimate restriction. If some has heart disease and does not want to eat a fat laden meal is that legitimate? Is being a vegetarian legitimate to you? Vegetarians don’t want to eat just steamed kale.

Medical conditions like heart disease are legitimate. Being vegetarian is legitimate. And I always provide main courses AND sides for vegetarians.

That guy in everyone's office who is Keto one week, Paleo the next, in full beer-and-wings mode for six months, and is then all of a sudden back to a strict no-carb diet? That's PREFERENCE nonsense, moving-target.

My mom is diabetic. She can make a plate in any type of holiday situation. Even at restaurants or at a resort/cruise.

[Anonymous]

For those who ask why those with special diets can’t adapt for just one day maybe you should look at it from a different perspective. Maybe on one day you could try to understand the preferences of the people you call family and friends that you are inviting to your home to celebrate Thanksgiving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “traditional” meal is out dated. Not trying new things or adapting is stodgy and old fashioned.

My family's daily meals, takeout/restaurant meals, and general entertaining meals are varied and represent a wide range of cuisine.

Once or twice a year, we love the traditional Thanksgiving spread, sometimes repeating it at Christmas. It brings back memories and helps to create new ones. If you don't like it, good for you. But many people do like it. When I smell a turkey roasting, I am transported to my Grandma's kitchen. And when I eat a holiday meal on her china, I cherish good memories and make new ones as our family grows and we bring in friends.

I like traditions sometimes. You do what you like--that's great. But why do you feel the need to disparage something that other people enjoy?

I’m with you. But also there is room for variety. You can do both we do.

My husband and I host often, and we cook most items from scratch. It's a lot of work, and we do have a fairly set-but-room-for-variations menu. If you want more "variety" than what we have on offer--which is all delicious and not inexpensive to produce, by the way--then you are welcome to bring a dish and contribute, instead of criticizing what your host has taken time, effort and expense to prepare and provide.

That is a very strange analysis of what has been posted. and you seem to be taking it personally. Weird.

Also you do realize that most of us cook from scratch for these meals?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who ask why those with special diets can’t adapt for just one day maybe you should look at it from a different perspective. Maybe on one day you could try to understand the preferences of the people you call family and friends that you are inviting to your home to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Picky eaters or Speeeecialllll Dieterrrrsssss who can't make a plate from multiple options, which always include a plain green vegetable and/or a green salad in many Thanksgiving spreads, in addition to the lean protein that is turkey--can get over themselves. If you're so picky and precious, don't come. That is, indeed, the point. Allergies and legitimate restrictions, I'm happy to work with you. Suddenly South Beach, you can stay home.

The problem is you’re interpretation of a legitimate restriction. If some has heart disease and does not want to eat a fat laden meal is that legitimate? Is being a vegetarian legitimate to you? Vegetarians don’t want to eat just steamed kale.

DP. Is the vegetarian going to scoop up a serving of sausage and apple dressing and announce that it just looks soooo good? I'm betting not, so I will make sure there's enough variety that the vegetarian can get a proper meal.

Can always low fat diner not eat turkey and plain veggies and salad, plus small tastes of anything fattier that looks appealing? Again, there will be variety. Will I make an entire low-fat pumpkin cheesecake that no one else will want? Nope.

If you want to eat your preferred menu rather than come over, I get it. I ate some terrible food prepared by my MIL because she wanted to host sometimes. I had plenty of opportunities to eat things I liked cooked the way I liked them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who ask why those with special diets can’t adapt for just one day maybe you should look at it from a different perspective. Maybe on one day you could try to understand the preferences of the people you call family and friends that you are inviting to your home to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Yes, certainly the reasonable solution is for the host to have to make 20 different dishes to cater to each guest's specific tastes every single holiday. Definitely not for picky/whiny/selfish snowflakes to eat what's being served or politely decline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you don't want to accommodate. But for those looking for an idea, try the skinnytaste quinoa patties with spinach for vegetarians. (Not vegan, can be made gluten free). Hearty, protein, goes well with all the sides. Or meatball shop's lentil meatballs, though those are far more labor intensive.

We have lots of vegetarians and kosher-style people in the family. So we make a turkey. Something like the options above for a veg main. Then all the sides are regular thanksgiving sides but dairy free - margarine or olive oil is an easy replacement for butter. A mushroom gravy. Veg broth instead of chicken broth for things like stuffing. It's honestly not hard. Basically everything is veg except the turkey. People who are dieting can eat white meat and roasted vegetables. I think it's one of the easier holiday meals to adapt.

I appreciate your post and adaptability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “traditional” meal is out dated. Not trying new things or adapting is stodgy and old fashioned.

My family's daily meals, takeout/restaurant meals, and general entertaining meals are varied and represent a wide range of cuisine.

Once or twice a year, we love the traditional Thanksgiving spread, sometimes repeating it at Christmas. It brings back memories and helps to create new ones. If you don't like it, good for you. But many people do like it. When I smell a turkey roasting, I am transported to my Grandma's kitchen. And when I eat a holiday meal on her china, I cherish good memories and make new ones as our family grows and we bring in friends.

I like traditions sometimes. You do what you like--that's great. But why do you feel the need to disparage something that other people enjoy?

I’m with you. But also there is room for variety. You can do both we do.

My husband and I host often, and we cook most items from scratch. It's a lot of work, and we do have a fairly set-but-room-for-variations menu. If you want more "variety" than what we have on offer--which is all delicious and not inexpensive to produce, by the way--then you are welcome to bring a dish and contribute, instead of criticizing what your host has taken time, effort and expense to prepare and provide.

That is a very strange analysis of what has been posted. and you seem to be taking it personally. Weird.

Also you do realize that most of us cook from scratch for these meals?

You must be new here. Go in the Search engine and look up “Costco apple pie” and “Costco pumpkin pie,” and find out just how many people do not make standard dishes and desserts themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those who ask why those with special diets can’t adapt for just one day maybe you should look at it from a different perspective. Maybe on one day you could try to understand the preferences of the people you call family and friends that you are inviting to your home to celebrate Thanksgiving.

You may bring whatever you like, if my two appetizer spread, two main dishes and at a minimum seven sides (including plain green beans and a green salad), plus several desserts including simply poached pears are not enough for you.

Your hosts do enough. If you can’t make a meal out of a full bounty, then stop whining and bring something, already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The “traditional” meal is out dated. Not trying new things or adapting is stodgy and old fashioned.

My family's daily meals, takeout/restaurant meals, and general entertaining meals are varied and represent a wide range of cuisine.

Once or twice a year, we love the traditional Thanksgiving spread, sometimes repeating it at Christmas. It brings back memories and helps to create new ones. If you don't like it, good for you. But many people do like it. When I smell a turkey roasting, I am transported to my Grandma's kitchen. And when I eat a holiday meal on her china, I cherish good memories and make new ones as our family grows and we bring in friends.

I like traditions sometimes. You do what you like--that's great. But why do you feel the need to disparage something that other people enjoy?

I’m with you. But also there is room for variety. You can do both we do.

My husband and I host often, and we cook most items from scratch. It's a lot of work, and we do have a fairly set-but-room-for-variations menu. If you want more "variety" than what we have on offer--which is all delicious and not inexpensive to produce, by the way--then you are welcome to bring a dish and contribute, instead of criticizing what your host has taken time, effort and expense to prepare and provide.

That is a very strange analysis of what has been posted. and you seem to be taking it personally. Weird.

Also you do realize that most of us cook from scratch for these meals?

You must be new here. Go in the Search engine and look up “Costco apple pie” and “Costco pumpkin pie,” and find out just how many people do not make standard dishes and desserts themselves.

Calm down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who ask why those with special diets can’t adapt for just one day maybe you should look at it from a different perspective. Maybe on one day you could try to understand the preferences of the people you call family and friends that you are inviting to your home to celebrate Thanksgiving.

You may bring whatever you like, if my two appetizer spread, two main dishes and at a minimum seven sides (including plain green beans and a green salad), plus several desserts including simply poached pears are not enough for you.

Your hosts do enough. If you can’t make a meal out of a full bounty, then stop whining and bring something, already.

You sound very put upon. And presumptive. Maybe it would be better to let someone else host.

[Anonymous]

Significant control issues up in this piece.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who ask why those with special diets can’t adapt for just one day maybe you should look at it from a different perspective. Maybe on one day you could try to understand the preferences of the people you call family and friends that you are inviting to your home to celebrate Thanksgiving.

You may bring whatever you like, if my two appetizer spread, two main dishes and at a minimum seven sides (including plain green beans and a green salad), plus several desserts including simply poached pears are not enough for you.

Your hosts do enough. If you can’t make a meal out of a full bounty, then stop whining and bring something, already.

You sound very put upon. And presumptive. Maybe it would be better to let someone else host.

Says the perpetual guest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who ask why those with special diets can’t adapt for just one day maybe you should look at it from a different perspective. Maybe on one day you could try to understand the preferences of the people you call family and friends that you are inviting to your home to celebrate Thanksgiving.

You may bring whatever you like, if my two appetizer spread, two main dishes and at a minimum seven sides (including plain green beans and a green salad), plus several desserts including simply poached pears are not enough for you.

Your hosts do enough. If you can’t make a meal out of a full bounty, then stop whining and bring something, already.

You sound very put upon. And presumptive. Maybe it would be better to let someone else host.

Says the perpetual guest.

Nope. You’d be wrong. And we welcome all. Even the all meat no sides guy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those who ask why those with special diets can’t adapt for just one day maybe you should look at it from a different perspective. Maybe on one day you could try to understand the preferences of the people you call family and friends that you are inviting to your home to celebrate Thanksgiving.

You may bring whatever you like, if my two appetizer spread, two main dishes and at a minimum seven sides (including plain green beans and a green salad), plus several desserts including simply poached pears are not enough for you.

Your hosts do enough. If you can’t make a meal out of a full bounty, then stop whining and bring something, already.

You sound very put upon. And presumptive. Maybe it would be better to let someone else host.

Says the perpetual guest.

Please just let someone else cook. This is tiresome.