How to Cook for People with Special Diets

By Cheryl Sternman Rule, "Who Else is Coming to Dinner?," September/October 2007

Understanding the dietary needs of your guests.

More on Allergies and Special Diets
Are Food Allergies on the Rise?
How to Eat Around Allergies
Healthy Vegan Recipes and Menus
Healthy Vegetarian Recipes and Menus
Gluten Free Diet Recipes, Menus and Tips
Yogurt Healthy Food Guide
A Buyer's Guide to Milk Alternatives

“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/.

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