It can be confusing and intimidating when you or a loved one starts a restricted diet of any kind. How do you go about preparing meals that fit within the restrictions, but are still satisfying and tasty? This year we tackled many questions about special diets, including the best gluten-free travel meals, diabetes-friendly desserts, good vegan meals that don't rely on meat substitutes, and 20 more, with tons of helpful advice from our readers. More

Q: My roommate recently used my aluminum baking sheet and instead of cleaning it with soap, he let oven cleaner sit on it for about an hour to break down the grease. Now the finish on my pan is dull and splotchy and I'm not sure if it's safe to use anymore. Did he ruin my baking sheet? More

Q: My husband was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, so all of this year's Christmas cookies need to be sugar-free. I've never baked with sugar substitutes like Splenda or stevia before, and I am dubious of their claims that they can be used one-for-one as a sugar substitute. More

Q: We usually eat eggs and a breakfast meat in the morning, and would like to add more veggies to our diet. What vegetables do your readers like to keep on hand for breakfast?

Sent by Debbie More

Q: We're having Thanksgiving with relatives, one of whom cannot have any fats due to a severe bout with pancreatitis. I want to make sure she can enjoy some homemade foods. Do you have any suggestions for sides that include substitutes for all butters and oils?

Sent by Sarah More

Q: I'm a college student and my roommate and I love to cook, but we don't have a lot of time and we are both gluten-intolerant. We are on the hunt for delicious and relatively healthy one-dish meals that are either naturally gluten-free, or can be modified to be. More

Q: My husband is on a restricted diet to lose weight and I am running out of new meal ideas, especially for lunch and dinner. He can't eat any dairy, carbs, fruit, processed sugar, or anything fried. That leaves protein and vegetables (he prefers cooked rather than raw veggies). Any suggestions? More

Q: We recently had a 2-day power outage and I'm wondering if the beer left in my fridge is safe or not. I can't find a definitive answer online - please help!

Sent by Danielle More

Q: My boyfriend was assaulted and badly injured while biking to work today. He's doing well, but eating dinner tonight proved to be a challenge. He ended up having some store-bought soup that he wasn't thrilled about. Do you have any suggestions for delicious recipes that can be consumed through a straw? More

Q: I am on a medication that restricts my intake of leafy greens, specifically Vitamin K. Thankfully I am not a vegetarian, but I am still really missing salads. Does anyone have any recipes for veggie-filled foods that are NOT green? More