Breaking bread with friends and family is the perfect recipe for a fun day or evening. However, even the most experienced party hosts may struggle with ways to cater to their guests' various dietary restrictions.

According to Food Allergy Research & Education organization, as many as 15 million Americans have food allergies. Research by a team of allergists at the McGill University Health Centre found that 7.5 percent of Canadians report having at least one food allergy.

In addition to food allergies, hosts also must consider diets, food sensitivities, religious preferences, and lifestyle choices (i.e., vegetarianism or veganism) when planning dinner party menus. So what is the accommodating host or hostess to do? Etiquette experts say that while it is important to keep guests' preferences in mind, it is impossible to accommodate everyone. But hosts can take certain steps when planning a menu that might make it easier to cater to an array of eaters.