When shopping for a gluten-free gift, There are a few important facts to remember before selecting a food hamper. Gluten is found in so many foods these days and, for those who are avoiding it, just one bite can have serious consequences. Here are some gluten facts to keep in mind.

Food can still be delicious

Just because they are avoiding gluten does not mean that their food choices are limited to the most bland and tasteless options. There are plenty of naturally gluten-free foods including seafood, eggs, meat and various fruits and vegetables too.

It’s not about weight loss

Going on a gluten-free diet is not about losing weight. For most people, it’s due to a health concern called celiac disease. Others experience relief from various ailments, including sinusitis, by cutting out gluten. There are also those who simply choose to no longer consume gluten as a personal choice. It has nothing to do with losing weight although some experience weight loss because of their overall diet change.

Gluten-free alcohol

You can send wine to a person who is avoiding gluten but you should not send beer. Distilled alcohol his also OK even if it is made from gluten-containing grains. During the distillation process, the gluten peptide is too large to carry over which means that the liquid is gluten-free.

Not always where expected

You will find gluten in some of the most unexpected places. These include sauces, gravies, dressings, licorice and soy sauce. Make sure that you read the package on each ingredient you plan on using before adding it to the recipe. You will usually find gluten-free versions of most products in a special section at your supermarket.

Misguided questions

If you are the one on a gluten-free diet, don’t feel offended when your friends and relatives ask some of the strangest questions. There’s a lot of misinformation out there and it’s not always easy for them to sift through the myths versus facts. If you are shopping for somebody who is on a gluten-free diet, you should try to make sure that you are as informed as possible. By understanding their needs, you will no longer feel it necessary to ask some of the most seemingly obvious questions. You can imagine just how exhausting it can be answering the same questions over and over!

Gluten-free labels

Many people wonder if they can trust what they see on product packages these days. In other words, if a product is labeled as gluten-free, is it really safe for those with celiac disease? Simply put, yes! These products are tested and do not contain more than 20 parts per million of gluten. This quantity is small enough that it will not harm the person consuming the product.

Balanced diet

Since so many fortified foods contain gluten, avoiding them can lead to deficiencies if other dietary changes are not made. It’s important to consume plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as foods like quinoa, gluten-free grains and protein to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Wheat-free versus gluten-free

These two terms are not interchangeable. If a product is wheat-free, it does not automatically mean that it is gluten-free. Make sure that you read the packaging before buying such products.

Now that you know more about gluten-free diets and food products, remember that shopping for gifts does not need to give you a headache. Gluten-free hampers are available online and they are clearly marked. These gift baskets contain foods that are safe for those who are avoiding gluten for whatever reason. So, you can shop with confidence!