Tips for a Gluten-Free Thanksgiving

Managing a gluten-free diet is tough at the best of times. In even the most innocuous foods may lurk soy sauce (made with wheat) or mystery fillers in those fabulous eggs you ate at that cute brunch spot. Traveling to visit friends and family over Thanksgiving holiday presents an obstacle course for staying gluten-free. Your best defense is to host Thanksgiving at your place, with you doing all the cooking yourself. The good news? Well, how about everyone else sets the table and washes the dishes?

Celiac.com offers some helpful advice for surviving the holiday:

• A gluten-free holiday dinner starts with a gluten-free turkey. Believe it or not some brands of turkey do contain additives that are not gluten-free—so, like everything else, read the ingredients and use Celiac.com’s Gluten-Free Ingredient Lists to help you shop.
• Don’t risk gluten-based stuffing in your turkey. Instead, try this gluten-free stuffing recipe.
• Gravy is easy: Use a gluten-free gravy recipe. Remember, bouillon cubes can often be a source of hidden gluten in holiday meals so be sure to use gluten-free bouillon cubes. To thicken your homemade gravy you can use corn starch or arrowroot flour.
• Gluten-free holiday side dishes are easy: Browse Celiac.com’s extensive listing of gluten-free recipes to find side dishes that will impress anyone—celiac disease or not. UnassumingFoodie.com also has several amazing Gluten-Free and Low-Glycemic dishes!
• Order gluten-free baking ingredients and other hard-to-find items. Many excellent prepared gluten-free products can now be ordered and delivered directly to your door from places like the Gluten-Free Mall.