Gluten-free Support Group Thanksgiving Events

The holidays can be a bit difficult to navigate when you first start following the gluten-free diet. Luckily, celiac and gluten-free support groups often lead the way for people to learn the holiday gluten-free meal ropes, so to speak. That is all the more reason to join your local support group if one exists.

In Atlanta, the Atlanta Metro Celiac group will host their famous  annual Thanksgiving Potluck on November 14th. The group provides drinks, meats and dressing and the guests bring dishes to share with others. Since many people have more than one food intolerance, an  ingredient list accompanies each dish to help everyone enjoy their meal without worry.

The first time you walk into such an event and see dish after dish of gluten-free food, it’s a bit overwhelming. It’s sort of like being in a dream that you never want to wake up from. Most people will not experience such a meal again during the holidays and that is why this event is so very special. From turkey and dressing to sweet potato casserole to pumpkin pie – there is gluten-free food galore. There are even gluten-free cream puffs from Jamie’s GF Kitchen at this event!  

The very first time I attended the AMC Thanksgiving event, I remember a beautiful young girl (young woman actually) asking me if I’d made the mini pecan pies. Based on her smiling face, I knew it was safe to admit that I had. Before I knew it, the girl gave me a huge hug and thanked me. She explained that she’d always loved pecan pie and she really loved my mini pies. Several years later I attended that young lady’s wedding – complete with incredible gluten-free food and cake!

Support groups are not something to be feared, but to be treasured instead. You will not only find help from others, you’ll likely make new friends in the process. It’s been proven in study after study that people who join any type support group fare much better than those who don’t. This is particularly true when it comes to those living gluten-free. Think about it. You don’t have to drink or take drugs to survive but you do have to eat – every single day of your life.

Some people like to pretend they don’t need help or that they don’t need special treatment but in fact, for most of us, that is simply not true. Every single meal, snack, work lunch or even a trip the movies involves preparation about what you can safely eat. It’s like having a second job for which there is no pay. Oh, and when you happen to mess up doing this job – you are likely to get sick. Do yourself a favor and join your local support group if there is one. If there isn’t a group, consider starting your own.

For those in the Metro Atlanta area, there are a few open seats left for the AMC Thanksgiving event. Please follow instructions on their website if you’d like to attend.  They request that people not show up without signing up on the event e-vite. The group leader needs to know the exact head count so they don’t overbook the event. Guests are required to bring a dish to share, complete with a list of ALL ingredients used.

If you’re in the middle GA area, check out the Thanksgiving Feast hosted by the Middle Georgia GIG support group. Details are posted on their website. The mission of this group is my favorite of any I’ve seen. Notice how they are educating health care professionals – priceless!

Our mission is to increase awareness by providing current, accurate, information, and education, as well as support to persons with gluten intolerance diseases, such as celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis, their families, health care professionals and the general public in the Middle Georgia area.

The Alamo Celiac GIG support group in San Antonio is hosting their seventh annual Thanksgiving Dinner event on Saturday, November 21st. Guests are required to RSVP to Anne Barfield – annbarfield(at)satx.rr.com. Please check the calender page on the group’s website for full details.

In Holland, OH, the Gourmet Celiac Group is hosting a Holiday Cookie Exchange on November 17th. Please e-mail Rita at gourmetceliacgroup(at)yahoo.com if you’d like to attend this event.

Special thanks to all the Organizers and Volunteers that make these wonderful events possible!