Holidays can be a hassle when you have to be mindful of diets, but not if you know how to twist things up. Luckily, whether you eat vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free or sodium-free, you can still enjoy traditional holiday dishes with your friends and family.
Those who follow a gluten-free diet must avoid foods containing gluten, which "is a mixture of proteins that occur naturally in wheat, rye, barley and crossbreeds of these grains" according to the FDA.
If you're looking to make stuffing sans the gluten, then try this Gluten-Free Stuffing with Bacon and Kale Recipe—no need to deprive yourself of one of the most beloved holiday side dishes. Already a dairy-free and sugar-free side dish, add less salt for the sodium conscious. If you want it vegan, which excludes any foods that come from animals, i.e. meat, eggs or dairy products, then nix the bacon and make sure the stuffing says vegan on its packaging.
For a heart-healthy entrée that’s free of dairy, gluten and sugar, add some turkey into the mix with this recipe. Spiced with garlic, bay leaves and thyme, turkey rub is completely optional on this one. This dish is also devoid of sodium. For the vegan diet, this one is best avoided or substituted with veggies or meat substitutes such as tofu, tempeh, jackfruit, or mushrooms.
Naturally gluten-free and vegan, yams are a classic holiday staple on many family menus. For guests who need to eat dairy-free, meaning no products with cow's milk, whip up some dairy-free mashed potatoes with this recipe and gluten-free, dairy-free gravy (see here). Roast some green beans to go with your mashed potatoes.
Holiday salads are always a nice addition to the menu, including this Sautéed Brussel Sprouts With Bacon Recipe and this Spinach Salad with Pears, Goat Cheese and Walnuts Recipe. Goat cheese can be easier for those with dairy issues to digest. You can also make this Healthy Cherry Cranberry Sauce that’s paleo-friendly (meaning only eat foods presumed to have been eaten by our ancestors) and naturally sweetened.
For gluten-free bread lovers, dinner rolls can be made or bought at your local gluten-free bakery. If there isn't one near you, most grocery stores offer options for people with dietary needs. H-E-B, for instance, has nutritional shelf tags throughout the store making it easier for shoppers to identify their dietary needs. For a list of those tags, visit here to learn more.
If you want to top off your holiday feast with a sweet dessert, think about this sugar-free and dairy-free chocolate fudge dish made in a crockpot. Or even bake some sugar-free paleo pecan snowball cookies (see here), which can be made low carb, gluten-free and dairy-free.
Nothing says the holidays like a hearty feast—but when the food you're serving can be diet-friendly and tasty at the same time, you've hit gold.