Potluck Ideas

We just welcomed a new baby and there are plenty of generous friends who would like to provide meals for our family, but are intimidated from hearing about our LPLD requirements.  How do you give meal ideas to people with no experience with LPLD?  Here's my list, maybe it will help you, too, whether with a new baby, after surgery, or at a potluck at school, church, or work:

-Stir fry with rice, specifically with no more than a tablespoon of oil or two for the entire meal (no fried foodstuffs), and plenty of vegetables

-Baked pasta dishes or casseroles without sausage or bacon (other meats are fine), no cream sauce, and any cheeses (or bacon or sausage) on the side so we can add them as needed

-Salads with all the chopping already done is such a relief, being healthy AND easy.  In our house, we emphasize the toppings more than the lettuce - everyone likes the carrots, peppers, tomatoes, cranberries, and hard-boiled eggs (etc) best, anyway!

-Sandwich fixings - bread rolls, lunch meat, cheese to add to certain sandwiches, lettuce, tomato or roast bell pepper... just think of your favorite combinations at Subway and provide the fixings for one of them!  We like to add fat free cheese to our LPLD girls sandwiches and toast them to be extra yummy.  Little additions like some thin slices of green apple or a few mild banana peppers with a little fat-free Italian dressing goes a long way, too!

-Homemade pizza kit - some premade pizza crusts (ones that are already rolled out, not the ones in the can, which can be so full of fat), marinara sauce, grated cheese, and 3-4 favorite toppings

-Soups and stews without sausage, bacon, cream or cheese (or just serve them on the side) - chili, minestrone, barley beef, chicken noodle are all favorites in our house!

-Pulled pork sandwiches with carrot sticks or another veggie on the side.  Leftover pulled pork can always be served later in tacos, on chips, even in breakfast eggs!

-A variety of packs of fresh pasta (ravioli, tortellini, etc) with a jar of pasta sauce

-Dessert of Jello, angel food cake with fruit, or sherbet

I have a short recipe index for actual recipes that have worked for us, too.

Our reason for needing meals - we'll find out if he has LPLD when he's 6 months old

What would you add?  How do you explain LPLD dietary requirements?