As if planning an event wasn’t hard enough, there are also several dietary restrictions you must consider to ensure guests can have a good time. Trust us, this is important — failing to account for common food intolerances can lead to untoward incidents, like medical emergencies.
A recent report found that 33 million Americans had potentially life-threatening allergies, with one having to visit the ER every 10 seconds.
Throw personal preferences into the mix, and you’ll soon realize that organizing catering in Los Angeles is a tricky job. So, the next time you’re planning an event, don’t forget to look out for the most common dietary restrictions.
Understanding Types of Dietary Restrictions
The first step to creating an inclusive menu is understanding the various types of restrictions. Most people avoid certain foods for one of these three reasons:- Religious restrictions
- Medical conditions
- Lifestyle preferences
List of Dietary Requirements for Events
So, what are the most common dietary restrictions, and how do you avoid them? Here’s a comprehensive list:1. Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is an extremely common condition across California and the United States. In fact, the data suggests that about two-thirds of the entire world’s population experiences lactose malabsorption, which means they struggle to digest dairy products. In many cases, symptoms include stomach aches, nausea, and bloating. It goes without saying that this can be an unpleasant experience for your guests. To avoid this, make a list including every guest’s preferences, and ensure that you have alternatives without milk, cheeses, or butter for those who suffer from this condition.2. Gluten Insensitivity
Another common medical ailment that’s been on the rise is gluten intolerance. Approximately 6% of Americans react poorly to this protein and suffer from digestive issues. A more serious version of the condition, celiac disease, could result in more threatening medical complications. Unfortunately, gluten is a common component of wheat, which is used to make a lot of food, from breads to pastas — so ensure that you make a conscious effort to avoid such foods and that there are enough wheat-free alternatives for your guests.
3. Vegetarians/Vegans
If you’re planning an event at one of the premium venues in Glendale, you’ve probably already remembered to account for vegans. Californians are leaders in adopting plant-based diets — with about 800 vegans per one million people. So it’s very likely that your event’s guest list will include a few vegans — you will need to find a caterer who ensures there are enough meat- and dairy-free options on the menu.4. Diabetes
Over 30 million Americans who suffer from diabetes follow very strict diet plans. They must avoid foods with added fats, sugars, and sodium and instead eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. But that’s just a broad overview. Creating meals for people with diabetes requires a great deal of expertise and is best left to the experts. One of the benefits of full-service catering is that a professional will create a menu after taking these factors into account.5. Kosher/Halal
Followers of Jewish and Islamic faiths adhere to strict dietary restrictions. These guidelines range from the meat they are allowed to eat to how certain meat and dairy products are prepared. Depending on your guest list, you’ll need to ensure that all the meals you serve are Kosher or Halal at an early stage or risk offending guests.6. Various Food Allergies
Food allergies are specific to each guest and can be very dangerous if not properly accounted for. Some of the most common allergies include peanuts, shellfish, and eggs. However, people can be allergic to almost any kind of food, and it’s always wise to do your due diligence when you put together your guest list. Remember that these are just a few of the many food restrictions that your guests may have. You may likely have to study several niche dietary restrictions and catering options when you plan your next event.
How to Properly Account for Dietary Restrictions
Fortunately, there are several alternative meals and dishes you can serve that’ll take into account all food requirements. But before you get to the point of putting together menus, here are a few steps you can take to cover all bases.- Research: When drafting a guest list, make sure you note all food preferences accurately and before time so you aren’t left with any last-minute surprises.
- Be Flexible: Sometimes, the best way to deal with multiple clashing meal restrictions is to offer a larger variety of dishes and food items.
- Seating Charts: If you’re organizing a sit-down dinner or a corporate-style event, label each chair according to the dietary preference of the guest.
- Menu Labels: Similarly, including dietary restrictions and allergen information on each item on the menu helps guests stay safe.
- Avoid Risky Foods: While allergies come in many forms, some dishes are more risky than others and should be avoided altogether. Fish, for example, is a risky protein to put on the menu, considering how many people are allergic.
Experience Full-Service Catering at a Vivaldi Venue
At Vivaldi Venues, we don’t just have some of the most popular banquet halls in Glendale, we also offer professional catering for all kinds of events. Whether you’re hosting a corporate function, a wedding, or a birthday party, our diverse menu can be curated for any number of guests and accounts for all the most common dietary restrictions. If this sounds like something you need, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Vivaldi Venues today.
As if planning an event wasn’t hard enough, there are also several dietary restrictions you must consider to ensure guests can have a good time. Trust us, this is important — failing to account for common food intolerances can lead to untoward incidents, like medical emergencies.
A recent report found that 33 million Americans had potentially life-threatening allergies, with one having to visit the ER every 10 seconds.
Throw personal preferences into the mix, and you’ll soon realize that organizing catering in Los Angeles is a tricky job. So, the next time you’re planning an event, don’t forget to look out for the most common dietary restrictions.
Understanding Types of Dietary Restrictions
The first step to creating an inclusive menu is understanding the various types of restrictions. Most people avoid certain foods for one of these three reasons:- Religious restrictions
- Medical conditions
- Lifestyle preferences
List of Dietary Requirements for Events
So, what are the most common dietary restrictions, and how do you avoid them? Here’s a comprehensive list:1. Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is an extremely common condition across California and the United States. In fact, the data suggests that about two-thirds of the entire world’s population experiences lactose malabsorption, which means they struggle to digest dairy products. In many cases, symptoms include stomach aches, nausea, and bloating. It goes without saying that this can be an unpleasant experience for your guests. To avoid this, make a list including every guest’s preferences, and ensure that you have alternatives without milk, cheeses, or butter for those who suffer from this condition.2. Gluten Insensitivity
Another common medical ailment that’s been on the rise is gluten intolerance. Approximately 6% of Americans react poorly to this protein and suffer from digestive issues. A more serious version of the condition, celiac disease, could result in more threatening medical complications. Unfortunately, gluten is a common component of wheat, which is used to make a lot of food, from breads to pastas — so ensure that you make a conscious effort to avoid such foods and that there are enough wheat-free alternatives for your guests.
3. Vegetarians/Vegans
If you’re planning an event at one of the premium venues in Glendale, you’ve probably already remembered to account for vegans. Californians are leaders in adopting plant-based diets — with about 800 vegans per one million people. So it’s very likely that your event’s guest list will include a few vegans — you will need to find a caterer who ensures there are enough meat- and dairy-free options on the menu.4. Diabetes
Over 30 million Americans who suffer from diabetes follow very strict diet plans. They must avoid foods with added fats, sugars, and sodium and instead eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. But that’s just a broad overview. Creating meals for people with diabetes requires a great deal of expertise and is best left to the experts. One of the benefits of full-service catering is that a professional will create a menu after taking these factors into account.5. Kosher/Halal
Followers of Jewish and Islamic faiths adhere to strict dietary restrictions. These guidelines range from the meat they are allowed to eat to how certain meat and dairy products are prepared. Depending on your guest list, you’ll need to ensure that all the meals you serve are Kosher or Halal at an early stage or risk offending guests.6. Various Food Allergies
Food allergies are specific to each guest and can be very dangerous if not properly accounted for. Some of the most common allergies include peanuts, shellfish, and eggs. However, people can be allergic to almost any kind of food, and it’s always wise to do your due diligence when you put together your guest list. Remember that these are just a few of the many food restrictions that your guests may have. You may likely have to study several niche dietary restrictions and catering options when you plan your next event.
How to Properly Account for Dietary Restrictions
Fortunately, there are several alternative meals and dishes you can serve that’ll take into account all food requirements. But before you get to the point of putting together menus, here are a few steps you can take to cover all bases.- Research: When drafting a guest list, make sure you note all food preferences accurately and before time so you aren’t left with any last-minute surprises.
- Be Flexible: Sometimes, the best way to deal with multiple clashing meal restrictions is to offer a larger variety of dishes and food items.
- Seating Charts: If you’re organizing a sit-down dinner or a corporate-style event, label each chair according to the dietary preference of the guest.
- Menu Labels: Similarly, including dietary restrictions and allergen information on each item on the menu helps guests stay safe.
- Avoid Risky Foods: While allergies come in many forms, some dishes are more risky than others and should be avoided altogether. Fish, for example, is a risky protein to put on the menu, considering how many people are allergic.