Apple Podcasts | Spotify 

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest food events of the year. From turkey and stuffing to pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes, the traditional spread is loaded with gluten, dairy, and sugar: all things many people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) try to avoid.

But while sticking to your MS diet can be challenging physically, it can be just as tough emotionally and socially. Questions, comments, and feeling left out can make the day more stressful than joyful.

Let’s walk through how to approach Thanksgiving with confidence and intention, so you can enjoy the holiday without compromising your health.

The Emotional Weight of the Holiday

The first Thanksgiving after an MS diagnosis can feel overwhelming. You’re navigating a new reality — often without your extended family knowing the full story. Add grief, big changes in routine, and a strict new diet like the Wahls Protocol, and the pressure can be intense.

It’s important to make a plan in advance. The Thanksgiving table isn’t the best place to decide how to approach your meal. Making a last-minute decision in the presence of tempting smells and dishes stacks the odds against you.

Choose Your Adventure: Two Paths, Two Outcomes

Adventure 1: The Free-for-All

Some people decide to indulge. You eat what looks good and enjoy the moment. But here’s a true story that might make you think twice.

A client named Deanna had been following a gluten- and dairy-free diet for several months. She wasn’t sure if it made a huge difference until Thanksgiving, when she decided to eat the traditional meal.

She felt fine afterward, but the next morning was another story. All her symptoms returned. The contrast helped her realize just how much her new way of eating had improved her health even if the results had been subtle and gradual.

If you choose this route, be aware that reactions to food might not be immediate. Pay attention to how you feel over the next few days. Symptoms can show up as fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, headaches, and body aches, not just digestive issues.

If you do decide to eat freely, consider taking digestive enzymes to support your system. Or at the very least, slow down, chew thoroughly, and eat mindfully.

Adventure 2: Staying on Your Diet

The alternative is to stay true to your eating plan, regardless of what others are having. This is the path I personally take and the one I chose my first Thanksgiving after my diagnosis.

If you’re hosting, you have full control over the menu. If not, bring your own meal. I make a full Thanksgiving plate at home: turkey, mashed cauliflower, veggie stuffing, and seasonal sides, all free from gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, and eggs.

Call ahead to your host, let them know you’ll bring your own dish, and keep the conversation simple. Once you’re there, heat up your meal discreetly and use the same plateware as everyone else.

It’s a small effort for a big payoff: peace of mind and a body that feels good after the meal.

What If You’re Not Sure?

You don’t have to go all in on either path. You can also take a middle ground.

• Bring a dish you can eat safely.
• Focus on turkey and veggies.
• Avoid or limit bread-heavy foods.
• Eat slowly and enjoy the conversation.
• Skip the guilt. It doesn’t change how food affects your body.

Just remember: how you feel after the meal and in the days that follow is a better guide than what’s on the table in front of you.

Final Thoughts

No matter which route you choose, be kind to yourself. Thanksgiving is about more than food. It’s about connection, gratitude, and choosing what’s best for you, your body and mind.

Want More Encouragement Like This?
Tune into this week’s special episode of My MS Podcast:
🎧 The Social Side of Eating: Thanksgiving Edition
Listen now to My MS Podcast