From Victoria Groce,
Your Guide to Food Allergies.
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Planning a Food Allergy-Safe Thanksgiving Menu

It's impossible to come up with one menu of Thanksgiving foods that's safe for every possible set of food allergies, since people can be allergic to virtually any fruit, vegetable, meat, or grain. But common Thanksgiving foods do tend to be rich in some very common allergens -- especially wheat, dairy, soy, and eggs.

Here are some suggestions for foods that are seasonally appropriate, festive, and safe for many allergy needs.

Roasting the Turkey

The turkey is likely to be one of the safer items on any Thanksgiving table (assuming you're not allergic to turkey, that is) as long as you're careful to buy a safe turkey. USDA guidelines on what manufacturers can and cannot say on a turkey label can make it simple for you to buy a turkey that's allergen-free. Kosher turkeys need not be brined, but consider brining natural turkeys for optimum flavor and tenderness.

• Before You Buy a Thanksgiving Turkey
• Turkey Handling Tips (About.com Lowfat Cooking)
• Turkey Brine Recipes (About.com Barbecues and Grilling)

Before-Meal Munchies

Consider offering guests appetizers while the meal cooks -- it's a useful insurance policy against the numerous unexpected delays (late guests, unplanned grocery runs, etc.) that can crop up while you're cooking a big dinner. Safe munchies will vary depending on the dietary needs of your guests, but here are some ideas to consider:

• Roasted pumpkin seeds (especially if you're using fresh pumpkin in another dish)
• Safe crackers, raw vegetables, or pita with a hearty dip, such as hummus
• Tortilla chips with salsa or spinach-artichoke dip (not dairy-free)

Side Dishes

Some people come to Thanksgiving dinner for the turkey, but for most of us, it's the trimmings that make the meal. Every family has its own favorites; hopefully, you'll find some of your own among these:

• Pumpkin and Apple Soup (can be made free of all "big eight" allergens)
• Allergen-free Sweet Potato Casserole (free of all "big eight" allergens and optionally corn-free)
• Corn-Free Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Ginger (free of all "big eight" allergens)
• Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes with Basic Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free Poultry Gravy
• Broccoli with Vinaigrette (free of all "big eight" allergens plus corn)
• Carrots with Cinnamon (free of all "big eight" allergens plus corn) -- make a double batch of this recipe for large groups

Dessert

There's no more iconic Thanksgiving dessert than pumpkin pie. Multiple food allergies, though, can make baking this holiday staple incredibly challenging. About.com's Special Needs Parenting Guide, Terri Mauro, has compiled a fantastic collection of pumpkin pie recipes that work for different combinations of food allergies.