We live in California. You may think of it as the land of vegans and Starbucks orders that are more than 10 words long. So it’s not implausible that you’ll be asked to serve or provide food for someone with a special diet. Don’t panic. Here’s EXACTLY what to do…

The Special Diet Question

To clarify, I have Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is an incurable auto-immune disease whose only treatment is a 100% gluten-free diet.

Some people are so sensitive that they actually end up in the hospital if they suffer gluten contamination. That’s never happened to me. But I have experienced the really lovely side-effect of not being able to make it to a bathroom in time after accidentally eating something containing gluten. Super fun.

Also, this qualifies me as somewhat of an “expert” in the arena of special diets.

Therefore, I need you to believe me when I say that serving or providing food for someone who is on a special diet is not hard.

There is exactly ONE question that you need to ask, and then I will give you a list of precisely what to do.

 

So Here’s the question:

“Are you gluten-free* by CHOICE, or ALLERGY?”

(*It works for any issue. Just substitute gluten-free with dairy-free, Paleo, Keto…)

**Note**

If you are familiar with Celiac Disease and are screaming “Celiac Disease is not an ALLERGY” into your phone right now, please let me assure you that I am aware. I carefully evaluated and decided that this post didn’t require a deep dive into the science. Labeling it an ALLERGY is simply a way of assuring that anyone with a medically necessary special diet is given the same level of consideration and caution.

What To Do If Their Special Diet Answer Is ALLERGY

Remember just a minute ago when I told you that some people are so sensitive that they end up in the hospital? That is someone who would answer The Question – ALLERGY.

It could be someone with Celiac Disease or someone with a life-threatening Nut Allergy. The bottom line is, the person who answers ALLERGY is eating a special diet for medically necessary purposes. This is not in any way, shape or form, something to mess around with.

So, the easy and necessary solution for hosting or providing food for someone with an ALLERGY is simple.

Ask. Them. To. Bring. Their. Own. Food.

To be absolutely clear, I promise you, this is not rude. They will appreciate not having to be “polite” and either risk eating something you claim is allergen-free (which despite your very best intentions may or may not be 100% allergen-free), or declining altogether and eating at home later.

Seriously, if the risk was that you might s#*t yourself or end up in a hospital bed would you honestly care if someone asked you to bring your own food???

 

BUT, If you’re still feeling uncomfortable, here are few ways to approach your guest with that special diet…

  • “Thank you so much for letting me know about your ALLERGY. I’m not familiar with the restrictions you deal with. Would you mind bringing something to the party that you’re sure you can eat?” 
  • “This is the menu I had planned. Would you like to bring something to be safe? I’m worried about cross-contamination.”
  • “How can I help make sure you have something you’re able to eat at the party?”
  • “I’m so sorry you have to deal with that. Here’s the menu I had planned. Could you possibly provide me with a list of acceptable pre-packaged substitutes and where to purchase them so I can make sure you have something to eat?”

What To Do If Their Special Diet Answer Is CHOICE

Certainly this answer is just as important and should be given the same amount of consideration to your guest’s needs. But I think we can agree that accidentally sabotaging someone’s New Year paleo diet resolution, is very much different than putting them in the hospital accidentally.

Still, it’s important to be considerate of their needs. Any kind of “Whatever-Free” diet someone’s trying to do is not easy, so they’re likely doing it for a reason.

Anything from a serious medical condition like a keto diet for Epilepsy which is a medically recognized treatment, to their own personal ethical position on eating animals are completely valid and personal – and are NOT our place to judge.

A special diet is not something you need to be scared of. Just be kind and well-intentioned and all will be well.

Here are some tips to help you out if you have a guest who is eating a special diet by CHOICE:

 

  • Ask them exactly what they cannot eat. They may tell you they’re doing the “Carnivore” diet, but you’re not. So it’s not fair for them to expect you to know what that special diet consists of. Ask them to specifically tell you any foods, or category of foods, that they cannot eat.
  • Keep your menu simple. The more complicated, the more chances to really mess it up for your guest. I mean, It’s one thing to have to buy a package of gluten-free hamburger buns for your summer barbecue, but it’s a whole different ball-game to attempt a vegan cake from scratch. (See our  infographic we’ve included for an easy guide to planning a simple menu)

Think Ahead and Use These Tips:

  • Plan ahead, and run it by them. Last-minute things happen. But if you’re able, try to plan your menu ahead of time then call and get their feedback. This serves two purposes. One, you can make sure you understand their needs. And two, they have the opportunity to contribute.
  • Buy pre-made. By far, the easiest course of action is to buy pre-made, packaged food. While our grandmothers would be appalled by this, I assure you it’s completely acceptable in the case of someone who is eating a special diet. The options for allergen-free foods are plentiful these days, and the quality has greatly improved. Give yourself a break and just buy the pre-made.
  • Save the packaging. Whether you buying pre-made or preparing something, having the packaging with all of the ingredients could be a blessing for your guest.

For more info about hosting someone with a special diet check out the ideas on our Pinterest board California | Health & Wellness.

Guide To A Simple Menu, Guest With A Special Diet

Helpful Links: California Allergen-Friendly Bakeries/Restaurants/Stores

www.spokin.com (also an app) – List and links to 10 dedicated allergen-friendly bakeries in all areas of California. In addition, their Twitter feed is chock full of links to recipes!

www.allergyeats.com – Search for restaurants by allergen/distance. Lists reviews and has a rating system by allergy that lets you see how safe the restaurant is for that particular special diet.

Allergy Eats Logo, Special Diet Resource

www.allergygirleats.com – Link to a great article about alcohol and special diets. This will tell you everything you need to know about buying alcohol for guests with a special diet. You can also follow their Twitter feed for content and links.

Looking for Dining Inspiration?

We know everyone is looking for a new dinner idea or what to make at their next gathering. Thus, we have two more posts to get you started. They are focused on California food inspiration but do not necessarily take any special diets into consideration.

3 Tasty California Food Trends You Need To Know About

You might not know California food trends can be as delicious as they are healthy. A beautiful bonus, beautiful on the plate.Get healthy recipes, ideas, and substitutions that will inspire your creativity. 

Tasty California Food Trends

Grilling California Style: Fresh and Super Creative

Ready to get outside? Grilling with California style is fresh and fun! The key is creativity and a willingness to try new things. We’re all about health and wellness in California.

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