Catering to Special Diets

Aunt Clara has high blood pressure and can't have salt. Cousin Johnny has diabetes and must watch his sugar intake. Uncle Herbert is strictly kosher, and your sister Sara doesn't eat red meat.

The kids are all allergic to nuts and shellfish. And you may be on a low-carb diet, lactose intolerant and avoiding fried and fatty foods because of your heartburn.

Who wants to cook a family dinner for this bunch?

The reality is that many families face the dilemma of feeding friends and loved ones with divergent food tastes and preferences. It's definitely not one size (or meal) fits all, and you can't please everyone. But a little planning and creativity can help you strike a good culinary balance. Here are some tips:

Ask your guests what their special dietary needs are. Do this at least one to two weeks before the dinner party to give yourself enough time to plan the meal and get any special ingredients. Many people will appreciate that you asked.

Unless you know all of your guests can eat the same meal, forget about serving one big entree (such as a 20-pound turkey). Instead, opt for a smorgasbord of smaller dishes: a platter of sliced turkey breast (the leanest cut of the turkey), a casserole of steamed vegetables (no fat added), a large fruit salad or mixed green salad and a small pan of stuffing.

Check recipes for desserts that can substitute soy milk for regular milk or try the lactose-free milk products. Read the product labels because these may contain high amounts of sodium or sugar.

Resolve yourself to cooking healthier year-round -- not just during the holidays. Substitute olive oil or safflower oil for unhealthful fats such as lard in your recipes. Use salt sparingly and only when cooking the food rather than sprinkling it on afterward. Try using herbs to season your foods and give them flavor that animal fat provided in the past. Opt for the leanest cuts of meat, and shy away from red meats. Fish and poultry are better for the heart.

Label the dishes. Use place cards to tell your guests what they're getting in the dishes and to help you keep track of what you're cooking. If you're using ground turkey instead of ground beef, tofu instead of meat or no meat at all, it will help to put these things on the label. It also saves you the time of repeatedly having to answer what's in the casserole.

Instead of serving sugary soft drinks, make a pitcher of lightly sweetened homemade lemonade or unsweetened iced tea.

Comparisons are inevitable. Be prepared for those who say, "It doesn't taste the same." Thank them for the compliment and say, "I was looking out for your heart."

Finally, if there are some guests who have diet preferences that simply can't be accommodated, ask them to bring a small dish of a favorite food. After all, many family gatherings are more about seeing and interacting with relatives and friends than what you eat. Everyone else can sample the dish and get a taste for something new and different. Who knows? It could become a family staple next year.

More: Get helpful advice from the message boards -- try Ask the Nutritionist, Fitness and Health, The Latest Diets and Workouts and many others.