Accomodating special diets on Thanksgiving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Please just cater to your own, fussy needs by either *contributing,* or staying at home. This is tiresome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Please just cater to your own, fussy needs by either *contributing,* or staying at home. This is tiresome.

I’m not that person. Dear lord. Get a new gripe.

[Anonymous]

Essentially the same conversation. There were a few goin msg in that vein similar time period. One on vegan desserts.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/957727.page

[Anonymous]

OP - here are some reasons why it’s so annoying…

1. The person requesting a special diet isn’t a friend or someone you like enough to hang out with if you weren’t related. The problem with relatives is that many are just not people you would ever choose. We traveled once to help BIL and his partner host Thanksgiving. The attendees were all all family they chose ..ie long time friends and their spouses/kids. Wow, it was so much fun and so different in a good way compared to all the Thanksgivings with extended relatives that we’ve hosted and attended. It really opened my eyes how I am working my butt off for people who are at best meh and many unlivable.

2. Thanksgiving food is pretty easy to make but overall it sucks. It’s a blah menu so you have to step it up to make it better. Homemade brines for days, cooking times exact, upping the fat and seasoning ratios etc etc. There is a reason no one ever serves Thanksgiving food at dinner parties or orders it from a restaurant outside of Thanksgiving.

So when a special diet request comes along from someone you don’t really like it really throws a wrench in things.

What I have done is to embrace the special requests to make something really good and just go on autopilot for the traditional food. The hogs and hog let’s that looove traditional Thanksgiving food don’t care if it’s the best it can be or just meh. They are like the obese people at an all you can eat buffet loading their plates with room temperature food under a sneeze guard because it’s free! It’s about gluttony for them and bland is fine. Use the vegan or gf diets to make some really amazing and creative dishes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - here are some reasons why it’s so annoying…

1. The person requesting a special diet isn’t a friend or someone you like enough to hang out with if you weren’t related. The problem with relatives is that many are just not people you would ever choose. We traveled once to help BIL and his partner host Thanksgiving. The attendees were all all family they chose ..ie long time friends and their spouses/kids. Wow, it was so much fun and so different in a good way compared to all the Thanksgivings with extended relatives that we’ve hosted and attended. It really opened my eyes how I am working my butt off for people who are at best meh and many unlivable.

2. Thanksgiving food is pretty easy to make but overall it sucks. It’s a blah menu so you have to step it up to make it better. Homemade brines for days, cooking times exact, upping the fat and seasoning ratios etc etc. There is a reason no one ever serves Thanksgiving food at dinner parties or orders it from a restaurant outside of Thanksgiving.

So when a special diet request comes along from someone you don’t really like it really throws a wrench in things.

What I have done is to embrace the special requests to make something really good and just go on autopilot for the traditional food. The hogs and hog let’s that looove traditional Thanksgiving food don’t care if it’s the best it can be or just meh. They are like the obese people at an all you can eat buffet loading their plates with room temperature food under a sneeze guard because it’s free! It’s about gluttony for them and bland is fine. Use the vegan or gf diets to make some really amazing and creative dishes.

Well yes if you do that it will suck. I guess you are using your brines on the turkey? I never understood brining a turkey. It makes the meat way too salty. If your turkey is dry you cooked it at too high a temperature for too long.

[Anonymous]

The noom person will be fine. A big part of noom is to make better choices from what you have available. I would plan to have a steamed vegetable and/or a salad with just vegetables and fruit. For the no meat/no grain person, I would ask for suggestions for an acceptable main dish. If it seems like a lot of work, you could get something prepared that meets their needs.

[Anonymous]

This post has more projectors than a 24 screen multiplex.

[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.

I think you are missing the reason for the frustration. A lot of people have gone through great lengths to accommodate people to only have them turn around and the day of the meal decide to splurge or change thier diet. For example, my mom goes through great lengths to make all the sides are vegan or make special vegan sides and I bring a vegan dish for my sister. My sister brings nothing, and then pigs out on the desserts that she knows have eggs, butter and milk. I have no problem going out of my way for my vegan coworker who is always vegan. I do have a problem with seeing my mom stress put over making vegan things only to have my sister eat non-vegan items.

[Anonymous]

I would imagine that adults with special diets understand how to navigate a meal when they are not the ones controlling the menu. Ask if there is something that you can have on hand or prepare for them.

[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.

I think you are missing the reason for the frustration. A lot of people have gone through great lengths to accommodate people to only have them turn around and the day of the meal decide to splurge or change thier diet. For example, my mom goes through great lengths to make all the sides are vegan or make special vegan sides and I bring a vegan dish for my sister. My sister brings nothing, and then pigs out on the desserts that she knows have eggs, butter and milk. I have no problem going out of my way for my vegan coworker who is always vegan. I do have a problem with seeing my mom stress put over making vegan things only to have my sister eat non-vegan items.

I think you should stop making vegan dishes for your sister. She doesn't appreciate it and you're (rightfully) resentful.