It's no longer a question of "white or wheat?" ... "rare, medium, well-done?" or "No dessert for me, please". Dietary restrictions and/or preferences have entered into a whole new realm: gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and lactose intolerant, to name a few.

One of the goals to hosting a meal is that your guests enjoy the food, yes? With that in mind, when it comes to accommodating the various thoughts, beliefs, concerns, medical conditions, likes, dislikes, and preferences people may have when it comes to their diet, flexibility is key.

If you are creating a meal for close friends, typically you will already know about any food sensitivities or issues. However, if your guest list includes people you don't know well, either socially or professionally, you may be left wondering ...

What to do? Begin by simply asking when extending the invitation. People will not look at this as an intrusion into private matters as they will understand the reasoning behind your inquiry. Those with concerns should actually be pleased as it opens the door for them to express any hesitancies or special needs without appearing as "high maintenance". Depending on the responses you receive, you may need to look at adapting or reconsidering your selections.

Often times a guest will offer to bring a dish; not only will this take the pressure off of you, as host, but your guest will also feel comfortable knowing that she will have something she can eat. Should you choose to decline this offer, you are then obligated to offer a main dish that will satisfy everyone. Depending on selections and information obtained, you might consider adding several substantial side dishes to accommodate everyone's preferences.  

Whichever way you choose to go with your menu, the added knowledge will help you plan your meal accordingly.