Gluten Free Lifestyle/ Holidays

A Perfectly Gluten Free Thanksgiving

  Thanksgiving can be stressful for those who are gluten free, but it doesn’t have to be! You can have a successful gluten free Thanksgiving!

Gluten Free Thanksgiving

This post is part of a collaboration between perfectlyfree® and My Gluten Free Miami. All opinions are my own.

Celiac & the Holidays

It was about four years ago, right before Thanksgiving, that I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I was confused enough about navigating everyday life with Celiac, but a Holiday? That was a whole other ball game.

We were going to my in-laws, and thus far they’d been supportive but didn’t really understand. I went prepared not to eat, and low and behold everything they made was naturally gluten free. They had taken every precaution and even skipped making the traditional stuffing. I had made a gluten free pumpkin cheesecake for dessert, and it was terrific. Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy.

Navigating gluten free at Thanksgiving, or any holiday can be beyond stressful. I’ve partnered with perfectlyfree to bring you a few tips and tricks for navigating Thanksgiving while maintaining a strict gluten free diet.

Turkey Salad with pomegranate and apple, perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers!

Gluten Free Thanksgiving

Turkey is naturally gluten free, a turkey stuffed with stuffing is not.

Once that gluten-filled bread hits the turkey, it is no longer gluten free. When purchasing turkeys, also check ingredients to make sure that your turkey is not injected with any broths containing wheat.

Consider hosting yourself!

It’s not always possible, but if you can, host the meal in your own home. Ask guests to bring simple sides and label them to avoid cross-contamination.

Bring a gluten free dish to share!

Take a dish you love, clearly label it and serve a portion for yourself before anyone else gets any!

Bring your food.

If you do not feel comfortable eating, remember your health comes first. Eat before you go or bring your plate of food.

Watch out for hidden ingredients.

Many things should be gluten free, but you have to be careful. Chicken broth often contains wheat, many seasonings should be, but aren’t. Read packages carefully, when in doubt skip it.

Perfectly Free Frozen Bites

Final Thoughts

Thanksgiving and holidays are about being with friends and family. Try to make the best of whatever situation is handed to you. If things don’t go as plan, have a special treat ready for you at home!

perfectlyfree makes seven different flavors of coconut cream deliciousness that are the perfect end to a Thanksgiving Day! I even took my Coco Vanilla Bites and turned them into turkeys. My little one was so excited. They are so good! Who doesn’t love a turkey made of ice cream?

If you want another easy and delicious treat to share, try these Gluten Free Brownie Cups topped with a perfectly free frozen bite!

Do you have a tip for managing a gluten free Thanksgiving? Share it in the comments!

perfectly free gluten free turkey

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14 Comments

  • Reply
    jenna
    November 14, 2019 at 11:51 am

    Such great advice! I’ve taken over the side dishes for our holiday meals. Can’t wait for Thanksgiving this year 🙂

  • Reply
    Sandi
    November 22, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    These are fabulous tips for surviving the holidays Amanda 🙂

  • Reply
    Megan
    November 22, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    These are just too cute! What a fun addition they’d be to any Thanksgiving.

  • Reply
    Jereann Zann
    November 22, 2017 at 7:47 am

    So many great tips for navigating the holidays gluten free, and those turkeys…so cute and I bet FUN to eat.

  • Reply
    Sharon @ What the Fork
    November 21, 2017 at 7:13 pm

    I like all of your tips that you wrote. Also, those turkeys are so fun to look at!

  • Reply
    Nicole Dawson
    November 21, 2017 at 10:53 am

    I just love seeing these little “nice” cream turkeys! Can you make us some snowmen for Christmas?

  • Reply
    Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate
    November 21, 2017 at 9:10 am

    I still can’t get over how cute those little turkey treats using perfectly free bites are. My kids are going to LOVE them.

  • Reply
    Kortney
    November 21, 2017 at 2:59 am

    Bringing backup is always a good idea for food allergy folks too. I always try to bring a safe side so at least there is one safe option.

    You always have the cutest holiday themed treats!

  • Reply
    Kelly
    November 20, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    Good info, and beyond adorable little turkey treats. So cute!

  • Reply
    Marie, Mamma's Cooking
    November 20, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    Those turkey bites look amazing! This is first year since my son was diagnosed with Celiac that we are not hosting. He is going to cook his favorite parts of the meal (the turkey leg and gf stuffing), the day before and bring it with him, along with an Annie’s mac-n-cheese cup 😉 I’m making a couple of GF desserts to share. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

  • Reply
    Brianna Wolin
    November 20, 2017 at 11:20 am

    I love 3D desserts! I’ve been dying to try the new Perfectly Free flavors– my favorite flavor combo ever is raspberry chocolate!

  • Reply
    Emily
    November 20, 2017 at 9:18 am

    Awesome tips! I know a few people with celiacs who would totally appriciate this !

  • Reply
    Jazz
    November 18, 2017 at 4:36 pm

    Thanks for these tips! As a host, it’s important to me to be mindful of the dietary concerns of each guest.

  • Reply
    Linda
    November 17, 2017 at 8:31 pm

    That turkey looks amazing. I like the tip about taking a dish to share and serving yourself first. Those perfectlyfree bite turkeys are so cute! They would be gobbled up fast at my house!

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