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Family Reunion Foods: Making it Easy for Everyone
"Family Reunion Foods: Making it Easy for Everyone"
Planning the menu for a family reunion? You’ve already gotten in deep and learned that everyone has their own specific set of restrictions. One of your aunts is gluten-free. You have a cousin who is vegan. There’s another, much younger, cousin whose mother insists that he is sensitive to dyes, food coloring, and artificial preservatives. You’re pulling your hair out trying to come up with something that will suit everyone–but coming up with a menu for a family reunion doesn’t have to be complicated.
Family reunion foods Planning a family reunion menu requires a little advance planning but doesn’t have to be overly complicated.
Family reunion foods that will please everyone probably don’t exist. However, you can provide a selection that will work for everyone–even if no one eats everything. For example…
Provide a fruit and vegetable tray. Often, the simplest appetizers are best, especially for a family reunion that includes the younger members of the family. Fruits, in particular, are easily-recognized food that are favorites for many of the younger crowd–and that aunt who is constantly on a diet won’t feel too bad about filling her plate on fruits and vegetables.
Provide a selection for everyone. Have at least one vegan or vegetarian option for any family members who prefer that option. Provide a gluten-free dessert alongside the usual cakes and cookies–puddings are appropriate, or a crustless cheesecake specifically baked to be gluten-free. Or, check out the different gluten-free options that are available. These days, almost anything–including cakes and cookies–can be made gluten-free if you ask.
Try to provide quality selections that don’t contain artificial colors or preservatives–they’re just better for everyone in general, and no one will notice that they’re missing. Providing a wide selection of foods will prevent anyone from feeling left out, and you may be surprised by how many of your family members prefer the diet-friendly selections to the ones they would normally eat.
Provide allergy warnings. One of the hardest things about navigating a special diet is food that you haven’t fixed yourself. Sometimes, something that looks perfectly safe is actually the last thing you should eat. Other times, the item on the menu that looks the most dangerous is the one that you should be eating. To make it easier for everyone, provide allergy warnings alongside a description of the dish. That way, your family members can read their own labels and know that what they’re eating is safe.
Contact us for more information about setting up your family reunion.