Everybody loves gift baskets; they fit just about any occasion and are guaranteed to lift the spirits of anybody who receives one. But since one in every hundred Americans are being diagnosed with celiac disease which makes them unable to process foods containing gluten, the following tips will definitely come in handy when creating gluten free gift baskets that everybody can enjoy.
o Do your research: It’s always important figure out which foods to avoid before searching for foods that should go in to your gluten free gift basket. Wheat, barley and rye are the three basic grains which contain gluten and all products which are based on these grains should be avoided. Oats are somewhat on the fence regarding this matter but stores have gluten free oats readily available.
o Read the label: The labels of food packets usually mention whether they are gluten free or not, but it’s always wise to read the list of ingredients before tossing them in to your gluten free gift basket. Always be careful when selecting canned food such as soup and curry mixes which could contain gluten as a thickening agent.
o Watch out for processed foods: Gluten acts as a preservative agent for frozen bread and muffins, pastas and rice mixes. Head to the organic food section to find un-preserved foods which might be free of gluten but it never hurts to get a second opinion.
o Know your gluten free products: Cheeses such as Brie and Jarlsberg are proven to be gluten free but some people who are diagnosed with celiac disease are known to be lactose intolerant so it would be a good idea to check with your recipient before you make the decision to include them in your gluten free gift basket. Wines are considered to be gluten free as well as fresh fruits and would look lovely when piled up together in a basket.
o Why not add a cook book?: This would be a great addition to a gluten free gift basket as there are many books containing useful cooking tips to maintain a gluten free diet as well as more information to concentrate on when buying groceries. If you’re unable to find such a cool book, you can always put in some extra time to collect some appealing gluten free recipes and make your own.
These tips combined with a little bit of imagination are sure to result in a fantastic gluten free gift basket that will surely brighten somebody’s day.
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