Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Thanksgiving With Il's

moonlitemama

Recommended Posts

moonlitemama Rookie
moonlitemama
Posted

Hi, everyone! I'm hoping to get some advice an input from this wonderful group.

I've only recently been diagnosed, so haven't had many opportunities to deal with being away from my home for days and what that entails now. Every year, we spend about a week with all of my IL's for Thanksgiving. (The last 3 years I've gotten horribly sick while I've been there - assuming now that it was the beginning of the gluten intolerance.) Anyway, so this year I'm wondering what the easiest thing will be for me to keep my health and sanity. Most years we're at my MIL & FIL's house, which has lots of space for everyone to stay. This year we'll be at my BIL & SIL's house, since they'll have a newborn. The house is smaller, but undoubtedly everyone will still stay at the house. I haven't spoken with any of my husband's family about my diagnosis and don't expect everyone to change their way of eating for me. Besides, there would still be major sources of cc, I would think. So, what I'm toying with is getting a hotel room with a kitchen for the duration of the stay. That way, we'd have more space (there's 5 of us), and I wouldn't have to stress about my meals. However, I don't want to spend all my time at the hotel, either. Thanksgiving dinner, especially, is giving me nightmares. We bake everything from scratch, so there's lots of flour amongst all the other ingredients. Do I make my own Thanksgiving meal, separately, at the hotel or at home before we travel? Any ideas? Suggestions? Opinions on the hotel idea?

Thank you so much!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mamaw Community Regular
mamaw
Posted

If your family members do NOT get the celiac cc issue I definately would not eat the food!!! My family doesn't get it & at times think we are on some fad thing....others know the risk & have seen us very ill. So to solve the issue without putting anyone out I usually make our meal at home for the four celiacs & I try to make all the turkey & trimmings just like everyone else is having. I keep ours separated from the wheat stuff.I usually ask if anyone would like to taste our stuff as they think it is really bad!!! This opens up communication about the disease so I can enlighten them that it is necessary & not a fad thing.

I also try to make pumpkin roll or pies that all can enjoy & most can not tell the difference...

So , I truly never get a cooked meal that someone else prepared but at this point I don't care because I know this is what I have to do....I just want us to enjoy our time & meal together.

hope this helps....

mamaw

Yellow Rose Explorer
Yellow Rose
Posted
If your family members do NOT get the celiac cc issue I definately would not eat the food!!! My family doesn't get it & at times think we are on some fad thing....others know the risk & have seen us very ill. So to solve the issue without putting anyone out I usually make our meal at home for the four celiacs & I try to make all the turkey & trimmings just like everyone else is having. I keep ours separated from the wheat stuff.I usually ask if anyone would like to taste our stuff as they think it is really bad!!! This opens up communication about the disease so I can enlighten them that it is necessary & not a fad thing.

I also try to make pumpkin roll or pies that all can enjoy & most can not tell the difference...

So , I truly never get a cooked meal that someone else prepared but at this point I don't care because I know this is what I have to do....I just want us to enjoy our time & meal together.

hope this helps....

mamaw

Thanks Mamaw, I was wondering about this myself as my son wants to do Thanksgiving at his house this year. Usually we have it at my house and I was prepared to do it again. I love the part about asking them if they would like to taste your stuff. What a great opening for communication about the disease.

Yellow Rose

Katydid Apprentice
Katydid
Posted

I kind of got the giggles when I read this thread because it reminded me of going to Florida to visit my daughter and her family as we do every year for Thanksgiving. Now my daughter is very considerate of her dad's celiac; but this one Thanksgiving in paticular we weren't going to arrive until about 1:00 on Thanksgiving Day so most of the dinner was going to be up to her. (I got really cheap when I read the low fares if you traevel on the holiday)

Now my daughter is really not much of a baker so I told her I would take care of dessert when I got there. You will not believe what I did. I made piecrusts...the 8" size in foil pans. Then I put them in these plastic pie carriers and filled in around and on top of them with popped popcorn. Then placed the pie carriers in my computer travel case on wheels and carried it as a carry-on on the plane. They arrived in perfect condition. When we got there, I mixed up the pumpkin filling and stuck them in the oven. We had dinner around 5:00 complete with our gluten free pumpkin pie.

Now I know this was not really to the point of this thread, but figured it was surely good for a laugh.

But, back to the point. If you can talk your inlaws into getting a gluten free brand of turkey and using corn starch or sweet rice flour for the gravy, that would help a lot. You would have to pass on the dressing unless you want to take a loaf of gluten free bread along and make a pan there. Alot of the other things they serve, you might be able to eat....sweet potatoes, cranberries, apple salad, green beans, lettuce salad, etc.

I do understand your interest in staying in a hotel with a kitchenette for most of your stay. We have done that many times when visiting relatives and it really helps take the pressure off. (us and them)

Good luck!

Kay

I kn

gfpaperdoll Rookie
gfpaperdoll
Posted

I would not even mention it to the IL's. I would freeze all my meals for a week. I would also cook a complete gluten-free thanksgiving dinner at home & freeze the leftovers into meals to take for the Turkey day. THEN IF they ask why you have brought your own food, I would mention that I have celiac...

then if they want to accomodate you next year they will get details, if not, you can do the same thing again.

Better to take your own food that can just be microwaved so that you can enjoy being with the family at meal times instead of cooking at the hotel room...

zarfkitty Explorer
zarfkitty
Posted

After some very insensitive behavior at the last gathering with my in-laws, I've decided that I'm doing a Gluten-free Casein-free Thanksgiving dinner at my own house. I'm going to do it full out, no expense spared. And I'm going to be able to eat everything that I see.

I'm inviting anyone that wants to come to come.

I explained to my in-laws that this first year on the diet, I didn't want to be on the fringe or left out. If I cook all my own food, I'll get to enjoy it all. She seemed to understand and is even considering coming to our house instead of the usual routine.

It seems like your plans are already set in stone, especially with your newborn niece or nephew in the picture. But maybe in the future you can have a rotation for the holidays so at least a few of them can be centered on your diet? Just a thought.

-Shannon

gfpaperdoll Rookie
gfpaperdoll
Posted

Shannon - inviting us all ???? LOL - I live a couple hours drive away :lol::lol::lol:

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Guest lorlyn
Guest lorlyn
Posted

Hotel is a great idea. I would freeze my food before you leave and go and have fun. At least you will have alot of extra time to enjoy the holiday instead of spending the whole day in the kitchen :P I live in the South and on some Thanksgiving it could be eighty degrees. My mon and my sister and will decide to grill steaks and have potato and a salad. We laugh at how much time we have together instead of cooking and washing for 2 days.

lonewolf Collaborator
lonewolf
Posted
After some very insensitive behavior at the last gathering with my in-laws, I've decided that I'm doing a Gluten-free Casein-free Thanksgiving dinner at my own house. I'm going to do it full out, no expense spared. And I'm going to be able to eat everything that I see.

This is what I do on Thanksgiving and Easter. NO gluten allowed. I make almost everything and I want to be able to enjoy the whole meal. I'll let people bring sparkling cider, pickles, olives, sweet potatoes or salads, but that's it. It might be a bit more expensive, but I love to cook and bake anyway and everyone seems to love the meals. We always have a full table.

Moonlitemama - If I were you I'd tell everyone well ahead. It will be easier in the long run than "surprising" them at the last minute. Who knows, maybe they'll be very supportive and go out of their way to accomodate you! If not, make your own delicious meal - especially some big yummy dessert, and go to enjoy the company. I've found that the less I make things a big deal and the more I take care of myself, the better they work out.

moonlitemama Rookie
moonlitemama
Posted
  • Author

:) Thank you for the responses so far! Keep 'em coming.

I love the idea of freezing the week's worth of meals. I'll definitely keep that in mind when I visit my parents. I don't know if it would work for Thanksgiving, though, since we've got about a 7hr drive to get there. I don't know that things would stay frozen. I'll have to think about it.

I also like the idea of cooking a Gluten-free Casein-free Thanksgiving meal ahead of time and pack the leftovers.

I'd love to host the gathering here. In fact, I really miss hosting it - I used to back before I got married. And I LOVE to cook & bake. BUT, our house is way too small...

zarfkitty Explorer
zarfkitty
Posted
Shannon - inviting us all ???? LOL - I live a couple hours drive away :lol::lol::lol:

haha. c'mon down!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,327
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    dnamutant
    Newest Member
    dnamutant
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.