So You Say You're a Vegan - Planning for Guests with Food Considerations

Preparing a meal or appetizer for people with food restrictions or preferences is important for making your guests feel welcome.

Let me start by sharing my daughter is a vegan - has been for several years. It took some getting used to at first. Taking extra care to read ingredient labels and searching for recipes that were plant-based required extra time, and we didn't always get it right. She educated me along the way, pointing out ways to easily read labels, and helping me steer clear of products that wouldn't work for her. And there was some trial and error, too - some of the recipes we made were pretty terrible. (I do NOT recommend vegan hot dogs. Blech.)

Fast-forward to this Thanksgiving. We've now curated a holiday menu of about 9 - 10 items, where there are just two things she can't eat - turkey and gravy. We make a delicious sweet potato hash, bake an amazing chestnut and mushroom stuffing with vegetable broth, and use plant-based 'butter' for veggies and other recipes. She's even found a vegan pumpkin pie recipe she makes every year, and let me tell you, it's one of my favorites! Most importantly, these are dishes our whole family enjoys - we've found we don't have to make a totally separate meal for her.

We also have a friend who can't eat cheese or dairy, except when it's been cooked for a sufficient amount of time. She's been very gracious in helping us know what works best for her to ensure we can prepare food and appetizers she can enjoy. She sometimes brings a side or appetizer that works best for her - which also means we get to try something new.

If you only take one thing away from this post, simply remember this: taking time to understand your guests' food preferences, restrictions or intolerances begins with asking questions and confirming your understanding of what to incorporate in a menu. But beyond that, let's get into the recommended ways to approach food and beverage needs with guests to keep everyone safe - and help them feel included.

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Know What You Need to Know

Nuts, cheeses, fish, and dairy are all delicious, but may be off-limits for some guests

Ask: do you have any allergies, restrictions or food considerations I should know about?

It sounds simple, but asking these questions upfront goes a long way in the early stages of planning. If you're inviting a large group of people you haven't hosted before, it's totally appropriate to include a note on your invitation asking attendees to share any food allergies or other considerations. If it's a pot-luck gathering where guests are contributing food or beverages, be prepared to ask about the ingredients, and then label dishes as needed so guests can easily identify what to avoid. As a host, I'd also recommend preparing any food or appetizers that take the restrictions into account, ensuring you have a good variety for all guests to enjoy.

Once you know, you have all you need to know.

Some requests may stem from an allergy or medical condition. Others are by choice. Regardless, if a guest has shared their preference or restriction, you've got all of the information you need to plan. In other words, some things to avoid when a guest shares their food/beverage consideration:

• If it's an allergy or other medical concern, don't challenge by asking, 'How bad is it?' An allergy or medical restriction is just that - if it's something that can make a guest feel ill, have a reaction, or worse than that, keep it out of the food and drinks. The ingredient(s) will make a guest uncomfortable and that's all you need to know.
  

• Similar to "How bad is it?", the other question NOT to ask is "Why can't you eat/drink that?" Chances are a guest may share some additional details as to why a specific food or ingredient is off-limits, but if not, accept the direction and don't pry for details. Their reasons for needing to avoid a food can be anything from it's impact on the efficacy of a current medication, to a past or current medical condition; a genuine allergy or other reaction, to religious reasons, or other health decisions.
  

• Vegetarians, vegans, pescatarians - these are all examples of broader food preferences people make for their health, beliefs, or otherwise. When a guest shares this need, it's your role to simply acknowledge it, and plan to ensure they're comfortable and will enjoy the party with the menu. Respect their preference and incorporate this into the planning.

  
  

Find alternatives that work for all guests - and don't forget to think about the condiments.

Don't try to compromise

I get it - you've planned all the food and beverages for your party. You can't wait to make

your famous buffalo burgers with bacon and cheese for the cookout. And then you find out one of your guests is vegan. It doesn't mean you can't make the burgers. It also means you shouldn't ask, "But can't you just cheat this one time?"

What I do recommend is asking the guest what they'd like instead. Do they have a veggie burger preference? Maybe they'd prefer a black bean burger? Or maybe they don't like any of them and would like a portobello burger (which, by the way, is delicious). At this stage, take the guesswork out of preparing food and get the feedback directly. They may even point you to a favorite recipe, making your job that much easier.

Sweet Potato Hash is a winner in our home - and with family!

Make this a positive, not a negative

As I mentioned above, some of our favorite recipes were discovered because our daughter is vegan. It's isn't an either/or, and it won't entail having to come up with two totally separate menus or food plans. You can find delicious, crowd-pleasing recipes for all, while also addressing your guests dietary needs and considerations.

To get you started and show you how easy it is to find recipes to satisfy all types of food considerations, here are a few of our family favorites that are 'vegan-approved' and so tasty!

Sweet Potato Hash - a favorite for breakfast, brunch or dinner.

Vegan Pumpkin Pie - you won't be able to tell the difference!

Blueberry Lemon Scones - These are the perfect complement to breakfasts and brunches.

Final Thoughts

Being a host means bringing people together to celebrate and create connection. It's a love language, showing guests they are valued and appreciated. Taking the time to ensure you're creating a safe, inclusive environment - even down to the food and beverages - is an important element in caring for them. Your family, friends and other guests won't soon forget you went the extra mile to take care of them.