All Posts

Atlanta Foodservice Expo
Thrive! in the News

Atlanta FoodService Expo Announces 2014 Advisory Council

0Comments

Last week the Atlanta Foodservice Expo announced its 2014 Advisory Council and on the Council is Thrive!’s own Tracy Stuckrath…and she’s in very good company! Have a look at this impressive list of Council members. The purpose of the Advisory Council’s is “to assist with the continued development of the event and ensure the needs of the local industry are well served.” Having served as a speaker last year, I am very excited to be helping shape this event for the future. The Atlanta Foodservice Expo is the only event in Georgia and the Southeast to bring together under one roof…

Read more

gluten-free oatmeal with fruit is a great solution for diabetics, celiacs and food allergic guests.
Food Allergies Medical Conditions

How to Read a Banquet Menu

2Comments

This is the first in a series of posts on evaluating hotel banquet menus for event attendees with dietary needs. If you’ve done your due diligence and asked your guests if they have dietary needs, great job! – but that’s only half the battle. Trying to figure out what to serve everyone when you have guests with food allergies, celiac disease or diabetes, others who are vegan, vegetarians or raw and yet others with cultural or religious beliefs that require a specific diet can be daunting. Allergens are often disguised even in well-labeled banquet menus, and just because you’ve offered…

Read more

Community Dietary Needs

Focusing on Food You CAN Eat

0Comments

When I was diagnosed with an allergy to yeast 10 years ago, I immediately went out and bought the “Yeast Connection” by William Crook, MD, which was recommended by a friend. It explains how to suspect, identify and overcome chronic health problems related to yeast. I wanted to be better – no more chronic sinus infections, cysts, hives, gas, bloating, menopause symptoms at 30, lethargy and more — so I went cold turkey avoiding the list of foods on the “MUST Avoid” list. Unfortunately neither the food illustrations nor the recipes in it or other Candida-diet books did anything to…

Read more

Lent dietary practices during meetings
Recipes Religious Dietary Practices

Lent Brings Challenges for Event Planners When Menu Planning

0Comments

Two weeks ago the season of Lent began on Wednesday, after a traditional pancake supper the night before. During this annual ritual, millions of Christians all around the world commence a 40-day period of sacrifice, reflection and “spiritual housecleaning” in preparation for Easter. Though the exact timing varies between sects, the liturgical season typically starts on Ash Wednesday and ends just before Easter Sunday, and is meant to represent the period Jesus wandered alone in the desert. The word Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon work “lencten,” which means spring. Similar to making New Year’s resolutions, some use the time to…

Read more

Duty of Care Lifestyle Choices

Influencing Eating Habits

1Comment

Being the guinea pig is not necessarily the best thing when trying new foods. They (my nieces and nephew) are the first to tell me it’s gross. But, it’s fantastic when I make something they love and repeatedly ask for. Guacamole and roasted Brussels sprouts are two those things that come to mind. What’s even better is when I realize I’ve influenced them without really trying. A few days last month, I was pleasantly surprised three times.

Read more

Soy Allergies
Food Allergies Thrive! in the News

How to Cope with Soy Allergies in College

1Comment

Soy, one of the eight most common food allergies around the world, is a particularly difficult allergy to manage because its used in a lot of processed foods. Those allergic to soy must be ardent food label readers to ensure their health and safety. College students, who are living on their own for the first time, must become even more prudent about it since they are relying daily on someone else making their meals. However, by choosing whole, unprocessed foods, eating from the school salad bar or requesting a baked potato with soy-free toppings, can make it easier. In this…

Read more