Cooking for people with health issues can be an easy task if you do your research. First thing to do is find out what eating restriction the person(s) have: do they have allergies, high cholesterol or diabetes? Knowing exactly what the issue is the first step.

Someone with diabetes cannot eat sugar, so if you prepare your holiday foods with lots of sugar, make a smaller portion sand the sweets for your guests so they can feel comfortable and part of the group. Desserts are more difficult, but pumpkin pie requires very little sugar and will taste fine with sugar replacements safe for diabetics. Top with sugar free whipped cream!

Cooking for someone with high cholesterol can end up benefiting the whole family. Nutritionist, Dr. Johnny B. suggests several ideas for cooking healthy on the holidays:

Make your own butter, it sounds hard but can be a fun activity for you and your kids a day or two before the event.

Make mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes; they are more heart healthy and have more nutritional value.

If you are making homemade dressing replace mayonnaise with low-fat yogurt.

Believe it or not, pumpkin pie is the healthiest pie around! But go easy on the whipped cream.

Don’t over-do how many courses you serve; chances are that you have prepared plenty of food.

Make your holidays healthy and fun for everyone!