Gluten Free Gifts for Dad

Gluten is a protein found in wheat that can cause health problems for people with gluten-intolerance or celiac disease. If your Dad is on a gluten-free diet, there are still plenty of tasty treats you can give as gifts. It can be difficult to recognize which products are gluten-free, so always read labels and feel free to contact manufacturers for confirmation. Watch for wheat ingredients in every type of food, even if it seems unlikely; for instance, spice mixes, rice cereals and sauces often contain gluten.

Homemade Baked Goods and Mixes

When you bake something from your own pantry, you can be positive it's gluten-free. Stock up on a few ingredients before undertaking a gluten-free baking endeavor: xanthan gum and sorghum flour, and almond flour or rice flour will be good to have on hand for gluten-free cakes, cookies, brownies or pies. You can also make rice cereal treats from gluten-free rice cereal or make homemade truffles from gluten-free chocolate. If Dad is something of a chef himself, get him a gluten-free gift he can use in the kitchen, such as a pack of gluten-free mixes. You can find gluten-free all-purpose baking flour, pizza crust, pancake mix and cornbread mix from health food stores or order them online.

Gluten-Free Bakeries and Ordering

Check your area for a gluten-free bakery or a bakery that has even a couple of options. If there isn't one near you, some bakeries will ship their goodies to you. While you're searching, think of something normally glutenous that Dad used to enjoy, such as graham crackers, teriyaki sauce or beer. You can order gluten-free versions of these things and have them delivered to him, even if they aren't available locally.

Naturally Gluten-Free

Fortunately for those people going gluten-free, there are a lot of foods that naturally have no gluten in them. Fruits and veggies are an obvious choice, but might not make the best gifts. Dried fruits though, particularly if they are dipped in chocolate, make a delicious gift. Other candies such as most gummy candy, lollipops, hard candies, ice creams -- aside from flavors with wheat-based add-ins -- and all nuts are safe for those avoiding gluten.

Resources

It's best to gather as much information as you to ensure that you give Dad a gift he can eat and enjoy. Celiac.com has a wealth of useful tips about eating gluten-free and has a large database of recipes. Gluten-Free Help is another site with resources, information and recipes. If you are looking for gluten-free mixes, visit Bob's Red Mill website, where you can find many flour blends and ready-to-make mixes.