Healthy Recipes - How to Cook for People with Special Diets

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How to Cook for People with Special Diets

By Cheryl Sternman Rule, EatingWell.com

You may never host a guest with food allergies, which affect one in 25 Americans. But it’s likely that someday you will be in the position of serving someone who avoids certain foods for a medical condition, such as celiac disease, or for personal beliefs (e.g., veganism). Here’s help in understanding your guests’ reasons for not eating "everything" and advice on how to accommodate their needs, deliciously.

"I’m lactose-intolerant."

Translation: This person doesn’t make enough of the enzyme needed to digest lactose, the sugar in milk. Consuming dairy causes gastrointestinal discomfort (e.g., bloating, diarrhea) within 30 minutes to two hours. Odds: 1 in 6 people. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), up to 50 million Americans are lactose-intolerant. Also consider: Using lactose-free milk. People with lactose intolerance can safely digest the proteins in milk, just not the sugars. Some can tolerate aged cheeses and yogurts with live active cultures. Learn more: digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/lactoseintolerance/.

"I have celiac disease."

Translation: This person cannot digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Untreated, the disease can damage the small intestine, interfering with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. This can lead to anemia and osteoporosis. There’s a genetic component to the disorder. The only effective treatment is a gluten-free diet for life. Odds: 1 in 133 people, suggest NIH stats. Also consider: Your guest also must avoid rye and barley. Even trace amounts of gluten can cause health problems, so when using packaged products look not only for wheat-free foods but also a "gluten-free" label. Learn more: celiac.org.

"I’m a vegan."

Translation: This person chooses not to eat (or use) animal-derived products or products tested on animals. Odds: 1 in 72 people. A 2006 poll conducted by the Vegetarian Resource Group found that 1.4 percent of American adults consider themselves vegan. Also consider: Vegan diets exclude all foods of animal origin, including meats, poultry, dairy and gelatin (some avoid honey too). Learn more: vegan.org.

Related Links:

• How to Eat Around Allergies
• Are Food Allergies on the Rise?

This news arrived on: 10/13/2009

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Posted Comments:

10-13-2009 07:20

Barbara wrote:

multiple special diets

Can you suggest a book to help me? I am a diabetic and have no problems with low carb, but recently have been put on very low salt, and a limit of one liter of fluids per day. I have been trying to cope with these restrictions, but my last tests indicate that now I will probably haave to cut protein content too (to avoid further kidney damage. I feel defeated and I think maybe vegetarian is the way to go. A number of grains and veggies have too many carbs. Help??? Thanks

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