Gluten Free Gifts for Kids – I am a firm believer that you should buy kid gifts for kids, not something related to their illness. You should also make sure that there is plenty for them to eat and that they aren’t the only one eating gluten free. Have the entire birthday cake be gluten free, make one whole dessert at other holidays and be sure to share it with them since being on a gluten free diet can be fairly lonely and ostracizing. (For those of you in NJ: Gluten Free NJ Bakery List)
Stand Mixer – gluten free batters / baking mixes tend to be thicker than their gluten containing counter parts. While I got away with a hand mixer for awhile it was much easier to bake with a quality stand mixer.
Vitamix – One of the easiest ways to make up for lost nutrients is through juicing. Even if that is not what you use this blender for, having a high powered kitchen tool makes cooking that much faster and easier.
Magic Bullet – I find the magic bullet to be great when I need to blend/mix something small. Since I live alone I often don’t need the whole blender. I could also see this being a great item for someone sharing a kitchen with others where only one meal needs to be gluten free.
Bread Maker – there are some pretty good gluten free breads out now and I’ve pretty much stopped making bread. However, it is much easier to control the other ingredients when you bake your own bread. Since gluten containing bread needs to proof twice and gluten free bread doesn’t, not just any bread machine will work. You either need a completely programmable bread machine, or a machine with a gluten free pre-set. The top gluten free bread machines are:
French Frier – one of the hardest parts of eating out is the threat of cross contamination. There are many perfectly gluten free foods that are ruined by sharing a fryer with gluten containing foods. (See more information here: Finding Gluten Free French Fries.) The easiest (and safest) solution is to just make French fries at home. Yes, you could bake them, but that’s just not the same! (Although I did include the T-fal FZ700 Low Fat Fryer below.)
Cupcake Carrier – these are especially useful for sending a cupcake along with a child to a birthday party where they won’t be able to eat the cake. (Not to say us adults couldn’t use them to take cupcakes along whereever we’re going!)
Cookbooks – most people diagnosed with a gluten issue begin to eat more at home and cook more for themselves as it is easier to control what they are eating. My favorite cook books are by a local (New Jersey) author Annalise Roberts. The books include Gluten-Free Baking Classics and Gluten-Free Baking Classics for the Bread Machine. There are plenty of gluten free cook books published every year. Amazon.com has dozens of options. In case you are concerned that the recipient already has that cookbook I’ll share the trick my brother uses for me: he only ever purchases a cook book published that year!
Toaster/Waffle Iron – for those who live with others who are still eating gluten there are certain appliances that really shouldn’t be shared as they can’t easily be cleaned between uses. This include toasters, waffle irons, wooden cutting boards, condiment containers, etc:
Nutritionist – gluten free processed foods tend to be less healthy and contain more calories, fat and sugar than their gluten containing counterparts. GF processed foods are also less likely to be fortified. However, if one is making big changes to their diet anyway, this is a great opportunity to improve it and eat more whole real foods. Consider seeking out a local nutritionist who is familiar with gluten intolerance / celiac disease and gifting their services.
Gift Certificates - if you'd like to go the gift certificate route, both the Gluten Free Mall and Amazon.com have many suitable items (including GF foods):
Gluten Free Mall Gift Vouchers
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Gift Cards from Amazon.com
If you chose to go with a gift certificate to a local restaurant or store, double check with the recipient that they still eat/shop there. Since a bad experience for someone on a gluten free diet can mean hours (if not days) of pain and suffering, they may have sworn off this establishment since the last time you talked to them.
Gluten Free Mall Gift Vouchers
- or -
Gift Cards from Amazon.com
If you chose to go with a gift certificate to a local restaurant or store, double check with the recipient that they still eat/shop there. Since a bad experience for someone on a gluten free diet can mean hours (if not days) of pain and suffering, they may have sworn off this establishment since the last time you talked to them.
Get Tested – Years ago the staff of Gluten Free Living magazine suggested that when relatives who are reluctant to get tested asked what you wanted for your birthday/other holiday you ask that they get tested as a gift to you.
I thought that was an excellent idea!
I thought that was an excellent idea!
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