| Vegans and vegetarians have no problems | | | | include either of these meats, you can suggest |
| staying happy during the holiday season when it | | | | that they bring their own main dish and you can |
| concerns culinary delights and meals. Although, | | | | warm and present it during the meal |
| vegans definitely appreciate the effort by | | | | Because some vegetarians may be subject to |
| nonvegetarian cooks that take the time to | | | | gastrointestinal stress from the consumption of |
| prepare vegetarian meals and treats. | | | | meat and grease from meat, you can ask if it is |
| During the holiday season, do not stress where | | | | necessary to keep serving utensils for meat |
| cooking for a vegetarian is a concern. Because | | | | items separate from other non-meat dishes. |
| you do not need to add to the seasonal stress, | | | | Providing that is a possibility, you can place |
| this article will help prepare you for vegetarian | | | | individual serving utensils for each item and remind |
| cooking during the holiday season. | | | | all guests not to mix them. |
| First, determine what type of vegetarian or | | | | It is very important to determine if your guests |
| vegan your guest is. Because there are several | | | | are ovo-vegetarian or lacto-vegetarian- no eggs |
| sub-categories of vegetarians, it is best to ask | | | | or no milk respectively. For these sub-category |
| your guest at what level or sub-category they | | | | vegetarians that maintain this diet for either health |
| maintain. There are five or six prominent | | | | or ethical reasons, there are several options. You |
| sub-categories, that most will fit into. Here are a | | | | can create a few more dishes that do not contain |
| few of the more prominent vegetarian categories. | | | | milk or eggs. Another option is to cook with egg |
| Vegetarian is a blanket term used to describe a | | | | substitutes and soy milk which are readily available |
| person who does not consume meat, poultry, | | | | at most any grocery store. |
| fish, or seafood. | | | | You may find that your vegetarian guest is |
| Semi-Vegetarian | | | | against consuming honey and yeast because of |
| Ovo-Lacto-Vegetarian | | | | ethical beliefs. If that is the case, once again you |
| Ovo-Vegetarian | | | | can prepare additional dishes or offer to serve |
| Lacto-Vegetarian | | | | any dishes your guest would like to bring |
| Vegan | | | | Most often, non-vegetarian meals offer a meat |
| This list of questions concerning their diet will help | | | | dish as part of the main course. Give your guest |
| determine what is suitable for your vegetarian | | | | the option to bring her or his own alternative |
| guests. Do not hesitate to ask as this may even | | | | meat dish like tofu and portobello mushrooms or |
| help your vegetarian or vegan guests relax as | | | | veggie burgers. |
| they know you are making the special effort to | | | | When preparing your holiday season meals, |
| accommodate them. | | | | remember that there are many different eating |
| 1. What types of meat do you eat if any at all? 2. | | | | tastes and diet preferences. Accommodating |
| Do you prefer not to use serving utensils that | | | | vegetarians or vegans requires little more than |
| have been placed in contact with meat products? | | | | asking a few questions. If your vegetarian guest |
| 3. Do you eat dairy foods or foods containing | | | | will not be helping you prepare the meal, then |
| dairy products, such as eggs and milk? 4. Do you | | | | begin by asking the simple questions listed above. |
| eat foods with honey and yeast? 5. Because we | | | | Determine the vegetarian diet category she or he |
| are serving a main dish of meat, would you | | | | maintains and with a few adjustments to your |
| prefer to bring your own main dish? | | | | normal cooking preparations you can create the |
| If you find that they eat meat, it will probably be | | | | perfect holiday season meal. |
| turkey, chicken or fish. If your plans do not | | | | |