Once upon a time I hosted a friends-giving at my home to gather everybody together for the holiday season. I quickly learned that most of my friends had some kind of eating restriction whether it be a personal decision or a medical necessity. Dishes all had to be labeled for their status: gluten free, vegetarian and vegan.

It was planning dinners like these that made me realize Thanksgiving can be pretty frustrating for people who have to proceed with caution. People often end up having to poke at a salad until returning home. Sometimes even that is not an option if the wrong dressing is on it.

You may not know how to adjust your holiday feast to accommodate those with eating specifications. There are ingredients hidden in unexpected places. Never fear! Here are some easy tips WITHOUT too much work or expense.

Gluten Free

Some people do not even know what gluten IS nevertheless what products contain it. Diseases such as celiac are rising at a rapid rate, so luckily there are tons of companies that offer gluten free options.

If you are interested in making the whole meal gluten free, ask your local supermarket if they have an aisle dedicated to gluten free brands. Many holiday favorites are available in different brands committed to offering alternative. Annie's is one of my favorites for gluten free mac and cheese.

Commonly Contains Hidden Ingredients : Onion topping on Green Bean Casserole, pre-seasoned turkey, canned gravies, packaged potatoes.

Quick Fix Sides: Homemade mashed potatoes, rice, candied sweet potatoes, corn

My Gluten Free Dessert:

Take apart the pie: If you love apple crumble, but do not have the time to buy gluten free flour here is a plan for you!

Chop up your favorite apples and bake them with sugar, cinnamon, and any other favorite gluten-free seasonings. Bake the crumbles in a separate dishes to avoid cross contamination. Serve at the table as deconstructed apple pie with some delicious ice cream, and you will have a dessert you can all enjoy!

Websites for additional recipes:

http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/holidays-recipes...

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/16956/holidays-and-e...

https://www.verywell.com/gluten-free-thanksgiving-...

Vegetarian

Being a vegetarian is a lifestyle that 7.8 million Americans live by according to the Vegetarian Times. That is a lot of people who cannot take part in the central protein of Thanksgiving - the Turkey.

You probably already knew that you vegetarian guests could not eat the meat, but there are plenty of sides for them...right? Well that depends on how you make them! There is meat hidden in foods you would never expect to find it in.

Commonly Contains Hidden Ingredients: Salad Dressing (Caesar and Greek especially), Marshmallows, Stuffing, Vegetable Dishes made with Stock, Cornbread.

Quick Tips: Leave the dressings on the side, keep ingredient labels (meat has many nicknames), and cook in separate pans than any meat sides. Vegetarians can also eat everything in the vegan section below.

Meat Free Turkey:

Are you looking to buy a substitute for the main protein? Luckily, there are many brands that now offer meatless meats. I decided to try out the Tofurky brand's holiday roast for this article. I found it for only $10 at my local Stop and Shop, and it came stuffed and with gravy.

If you aren't a fan of tofu then I do not recommend this as that has a very prominent taste (no surprise given the brand name). If you are though, go for it! I absolutely LOVED the gravy- so much that I would buy it to top my meals any day. Probably could give protein for 2-4 people for one meal.

Websites for Additional Recipes:

http://greatist.com/health/vegetarian-main-dishes-...

http://cookieandkate.com/2016/20-vegetarian-thanks...

http://www.foodnetwork.com/thanksgiving/photos/veg...

Vegan:

Okay, let's make this easy:

This means eating no animals, or animal products. Take a breath...there are still more options than you think!

Substitutions:

PLUS some of your holiday favorites are already vegan like Pillsbury Crescent rolls, and Jiffy's Vegetarian cornbread mix. Instead of butters, you can bake your veggies with fresh herbs and some olive oil. You can also never go wrong with baked potatoes as well.

My Vegan Dessert:

You may be wondering how you can possibly make a delicious dessert for your vegan guests without any cow's milk, eggs, or butter. It is surprisingly easy!

We have all had "dirt pudding" at some point in our lives. It is super delicious, and when made with specific ingredients it is vegan. Replace the milk in your Jell-O brand Vanilla or Chocolate instant pudding with a non dairy option, crush up some oreos, (if you prefer, you can use Famous Amos in chocolate, peanut butter, or vanilla flavors) and top with twizzlers in place of gummy worms. All brands are reported as vegan, but always check the label.*

Don't wanna cook everything? Sara Lee pies in cherry and apple are also options.

Websites for Additional Recipes:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/24/vegan-tha...

http://greatist.com/health/vegan-thanksgiving-reci...

http://www.foodandwine.com/ultimate-thanksgiving/v...

*gelatin, lard, or whey powder are NOT vegan. If the product says this under ingredients, vegans and vegetarians cannot eat it. For a full list click here:http://www.peta.org/living/other/animal-ingredient... *

Hope this helped you to make a dinner with options everybody can enjoy. Happy Thanksgiving!