The Dinner Party Drama—Two Guidelines to Assure a Pleasant Gluten-Free Experience

Thank you for this. Thanksgiving this year is a rehearsal dinner (for may son and his fiance) that the bride's mom is giving, and she is also giving the post-wedding dinner (don't worry--we've paid for a great deal of the wedding!). I can't afford to take the chance and want to bring a little of my own food. My husband agrees, but I can guarantee no one else will like it. I am SO tired of non-celiac people's opinions! Think about all the info on the internet about celiac disease. Few of the people I know WELL have not bothered to look even one thing up about it. I don't whine to them about it, and they behave as if I am making this all up. I was diagnosed over 2 years ago. I am trying to make this easier, yes, for me, but also on the hostess. Frankly, I am under enough stress.

This will be my first gluten free Thanksgiving. After many years of being told I had IBS, we finally got the diagnosis this year. But I'm not counting on my family to even consider gluten-free options. After all, I should be considerate of everyone else, right? (read a bit of sarcasm there) My favorite is stuffing, so I'm going to try making a rice stuffing this year and take it with me.

I have only just discovered a gluten-free diet after suffering over 25 years with IBS. Frankly, I'm terrified of Thanksgiving, but realize that as the matriarch, I'm pretty much going to have to go. I like the idea of taking my own food, but am still on rice cakes and bananas, since I haven't been able to identify all the gluten (and dairy) in my diet yet. The hard part will be saying, "No," to all the good stuff I have enjoyed in the past. My strategy for now is to tell myself that it's poison! I really appreciate this website and am learning little by little what to eat and that I'm not alone.

It is my 1st gluten free Thanksgiving house-hopping and boy am I nervous! Not so much about the food but the looks and questions from others-even if the host is accommodating the guests are usually a bit confused. I normally don't tell the other guests my dish is gluten free unless asked and at least they can eat it too without feeling weird. There is just something strange about watching a person eat 1 small plate on Thanksgiving. Yay to awkward situations! I take 1 main dish and 1 dessert that's usually a gluten free pie and a side dish so I'm not alone in any section of the meal.