15 Gluten-Free Gift Ideas from Celiac Dietitian – Selena De Vries
Are you stuck on gift ideas for your loved one with celiac disease? Don’t worry, Selena De Vries, RD has got you covered with lots of suggestions that they will love!
- Selena De Vries is dedicated to helping individuals who are struggling with digestive issues find food freedom. Selena understands that celiac disease not only effects one’s physical health but also effects one’s emotional health. Using an integrative approach in the management of digestive health conditions, she provides support for those with celiac disease/gluten sensitivity and nutrition coaching for other digestive health conditions.
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Are you stuck on gift ideas for your loved one with celiac disease? Don’t worry, I have you covered with lots of suggestions that they will love!
Here are my top gift ideas!
1. Cast Iron Pizza Pan
Gluten free pizza crusts are pretty tricky to make as the crust can get soggy or rock hard (unfortunately, it can go both ways). This cast iron skillet helps the crust to get nice and golden brown with a touch of crispiness.
These pans are also awesome for making crispy oven baked french fries!
2. GF Cookbooks
A few of my favorites include:
- Against the Grain by Nancy Cain
- The Allergen Free Baker’s Handbook by Cybele Pascal
- The How Can it Be Gluten Free Cookbook by America’s Test Kitchen
- Support the CDN celiac association by buying one of their cookbooks!
3. Subscription to a GF magazine
4. Good Cooking Pans
I am a huge fan of having good cookware. Good cookware is the key to building great flavor when cooking gluten free.
- Greenlife pans – healthier, green solution to teflon, nonstick pans.
- Cast iron pans
- Le Creuset pots and bakeware
5. Membership to Wellness
Almost all people, celiac or not, can benefit from incorporating more self-care!
Yoga, dance, pilates, swimming, spin, barre, or any other exercise passes are some examples.
6. Digital Scale for Gluten Free Baking
Anyone who likes to bake gluten free or is having problems getting their gluten free baked goods to turn out, needs to start baking with a scale. A scale takes gluten free baked goods to the next level!
7. Good Quality Dark Chocolate (that is also gluten free).
Endangered species dark chocolate
Choices Market and Nature’s Fare in Kelowna carry this brand.
8. Travelling Supplies
Anyone with celiac disease is going to be packing around food with them quite often! Here are some frequently used items:
- Toaster bags
- Individual steamer container for hotel rooms
- Collapsible cutting board
- Lunch bags
- Reuseable snack and sandwich sacks
9. Children’s Books
Little ones with celiac disease would enjoy these books.
- Eating Gluten Free With Emily
- Mommy, What is Celiac Disease
- No More Cupcakes and Tummy Aches
- Grateful for Gluten Free
- Gluten Free Friends: An Activity Book for Kids
10. Gift Basket
Make a gift basket with any of the assortments listed. Maybe add in a few bottles of good wine for adult celiacs!
11. Essential Oils and Relaxation
I like Sage Wellness in BC. Some of my favorites include:
- Sleep well tea
- Lavender bath salt soak
- Diffuser with an array of any of their diffuser blends
12. Gluten Free Baking Items
Nuts/seeds, candies and dried fruits can be difficult to find and are expensive. Seeds should be purchased with a ‘gluten free’ claim and all of them need to purchased in a package and not from a bulk food bin further increasing the price. So, these can be great to gift!
- Nuts.com is an American site but carry certified gluten free which can make your celiac loved one feel super assured that they are, indeed, safe.
- Or Prana Bio in Canada
13. Gluten Free Getaways
14. Reusable Shopping Bags
I always get a funny look from the cashier when I come in with only one bag for packing my pelthora of groceries. They always think it won’t fit, but, oh, it does! These mesh bags are great for expanding and can carry up to 40lbs.
15. The Gift of Wine
Adults only! Ok, this one is my fave. This is a great gift for wine connoisseurs in the family. Gift them a membership and they will receive two bottles a month of BC wines not normally found at your liquor store, specialized tasting notes, classic food pairings from an expert chef and a newsletter giving you an inside look at the featured winery – All delivered directly to your door!
Um, can you say ahh-mazing! Hint, hint to any family reading this, ha!
Read Selena’s Original Article Here!
Click here to listen to the podcast
🎙 Selena De Vries speaks with Andrea Hardy on her podcast, ‘Let’s Gut Real.’ Listen to the podcast here!
- How I became interested in celiac disease
- What is celiac disease?
- Common symptoms of celiac disease, GI and otherwise
- The mainstay in celiac treatment
- Gaps in celiac education
- High risk gluten-free grains
- Tips for eating out while gluten-free
- What to do when symptoms don’t improve
- How to advocate for yourself as a patient with celiac disease
- Health monitoring blood tests
- Overlap with IBS, SIBO & other gastrointestinal issues
Click here to join the Symptom Relief Facebook Group
Does This Describe You?
- Overwhelmed with the conflicting information you read on the internet?
- At a loss. You can’t, possibly, fathom that there is anything left to try to feel better?
- Frustrated that you are continuing to struggle with ongoing symptoms such as constipation, bloat and fatigue?
Ask to Join the Symptom Relief Facebook Group
This Group Is For You If You Want To:
- Discover if it’s gluten or something else that’s the issue
- Identify your digestive triggers
- Create a do-able plan for long-term relief
Selena De Vries, RD
About Selena
Selena De Vries is dedicated to helping individuals struggling with digestive issues find food freedom. Selena understands that celiac disease not only effects one’s physical health but also effects one’s emotional health. Using an integrative approach in the management of digestive health conditions, she provides support for those with celiac disease/gluten sensitivity and nutrition coaching for other digestive health conditions.
Selena’s services are available online to anyone in Canada. Living in the Okanagan or anywhere in British Columbia? View Selena’s services or book an appointment!
‘Q&A Tuesdays on Instagram’
Your chance to submit any questions you may have on nutrition, education or receive downright free advice! Ask by 4pm Pacific Time and get your answer the same day!
How it works!
1. Visit Selena’s profile at https://www.instagram.com/celiac_dietitian/
2. Click on her profile picture (screenshot 1)
3. Wait until you see the “ask me a question” sticker and then click it and type your question (screenshot 2)
4. Receive your answer by clicking through Selena’s stories i.e. the same spot where you entered your question
Screenshot 1
Screenshot 2
Celiac Total Health Package – 5 sessions
- Includes one initial assessment, 3 follow ups and a meal planning assessment along with a one week meal plan. Selena will recommend labs/procedure to identify any underlying nutrient deficiencies, will provide you with all the education you need to feel confident going gluten free and get you feeling better throughout our appointments, and most importantly, help you prepare and choose healthy GF products and get healthy GF meals on the table that the whole family can enjoy. Book your appointment or contact Selena with questions.
Eating Out With Confidence – 3 sessions
- Are you avoiding eating out due to the fear of being ‘glutened?” If so, this package is for you. Selena will provide you with education and resources that will improve your confidence in eating out safely. You will also get access to her on the go! For example, if you are eating out at a restaurant and need help in ordering your meal to reduce risk of being contaminated, she will walk you through what you need to ask to ensure your meal is at low risk of being contaminated. Book your appointment or contact Selena with questions.
Meal Planning Initial Assessment – 1 hour In-person – Online, video chat or by phone
- If you are struggling with getting healthy meals on the table that everyone can eat, this is for you. Selena will conduct a meal planning assessment and based on your input, she will put together a sample one week meal plan along with brand name food recommendations. You will get recommendations that makes healthy eating (with food restrictions), convenient, healthy and delicious. Book your appointment or contact Selena with questions.
Celiac Initial Consultation – 1 hour 30 minutes In-person, online, video chat or by phone
- Please book if you have been newly diagnosed with celiac disease or if you have celiac disease but are still struggling with symptoms. Selena will conduct a nutrition assessment & will provide an emailed lifestyle plan within 24 hours detailing the nutrition plan going forward. Supplements and lab tests will be recommended on an individual basis and the lifestyle plan will also include educational handouts, recipe ideas, and brand name food recommendations. Allow a minimum of 3 days advance booking as a 3 day food journal is required prior to the appointment. Book your appointment or contact Selena with questions.
Celiac Dietitian on Demand – 30 minutes – Online, video chat or by phone
- This is not for newly diagnosed celiacs or those who are struggling with digestive symptoms. If this is you, please book the initial consult (either celiac or digestive health). This is for you if your symptoms are fairly under control and you have brief questions. For example, a question on supplement use, the inclusion of GF oats in the diet, if you are grocery shopping and want to confirm if a brand name product is gluten free and safe to consume, if you are at a restaurant and want to know how to order an item that will be at low risk for being contaminated, or if you have questions on GF travel. Book your appointment or contact Selena with questions.
Initial Digestive Health Consult – 1 hour 20 minutes – In-person, online, video chat or by phone
- Please book if you are struggling with digestive health concerns or have been diagnosed with a digestive health condition (if you have been diagnosed with celiac, please book the celiac specific consult). Selena will conduct a nutrition assessment & will provide an emailed lifestyle plan within 24 hours detailing the nutrition plan going forward. Supplement, lab tests and lifestyle recommendations will be recommended on an individual basis and the lifestyle plan will also include educational handouts, recipe ideas, and brand name food recommendations. Allow a minimum of 3 days advance booking as a 3 day food journal is required prior to the appointment. Book your appointment or contact Selena with questions.
45 Minute Follow Up Appointment – In-person, online, video chat or by phone
This service can only be booked after an initial consultation has been completed. We will identify how the individual is doing on goals, barriers they may be facing, and steps to take going forward. Book your appointment or contact Selena with questions.
Testimonial
- “I contacted Selena when I still wasn’t feeling well a year after my celiac diagnosis. I’d read so much on the Internet I thought I knew everything I needed to know. I was wrong.
- Selena has important advice on how to do GF properly (it’s not as straightforward as I thought) and for regaining your health. She is organized, punctual, and professional. And she has celiac disease herself , so she gets it.
- I think a lot of us, by the time we’re diagnosed, have had more than our share of health care practitioners and may not want to bother with a dietitian.
- Selena played a crucial role in my recovery, and I would highly recommend her, whether you’re newly diagnosed or just trying to feel better.”
- ~ Charlene (long-distance celiac disease client)
- HEALTHBEAN NUTRITION specializes in digestive health. We deliver easy to digest, bite-size pieces of information so our clients can, finally, achieve the healthy & happy digestive system they’ve been striving for. Learn more ...
- HEALTHBEAN PHILOSOPHY– Selena employs elimination diets and/or a specific diets in accordance with her clients’ conditions, and only when deemed necessary. She reserves advice about the gluten-free diet for those who require it – not those choosing to follow the diet as a lifestyle choice. Expect clear, concise instructions on the appropriate diet for you and, maybe even some myth busting! Learn more …
Selena knows first-hand how her undiagnosed celiac disease affected her physical and emotional health. After telling her that, “Well, you have celiac disease,” her MD suggested she, “google the diet,” and out the door she went. Sound familiar?
That’s why Selena established Healthbean Nutrition. She is dedicating her education, personal insights and her own recovery to helping her fellow celiacs make this enormous lifestyle transition – and find joy in eating again! Learn more …
Selena’s Road to Diagnosis
Selena De Vries RD, Celiac Disease Specialist
- “When I was going through university, I was exhausted, ALL the time. I had to drag myself out to hang out with friends, and if I had it my way I would have spent most days in bed sleeping. It was not unknown for me to sleep 12-16 hours a day. Call me crazy, but I related it all to the busy-ness of school. I was even checked for anemia at one point (common with celiacs) and I was ‘fine.’
- The symptoms continued through school and the brain fog was undeniable. I distinctly remember during my dietetic internship (like a medical residency except everything is nutrition based) at Kelowna General Hospital sitting in the office, charting on a patient and, literally, feeling like my brain was so fuzzy that I could barely keep my eyes from nodding off. It was awful.
- Another thing I didn’t pay much attention to, was bowels. I was always constipated. Never the other way around. Never. And, I also remember mentioning this to my gastroenterologist just before the endoscopy and he said ‘oh, well with your very low antibody levels and constipation, there is a very low chance that you are actually celiac but we will proceed with the endoscopy since you’re prepped and ready to go.’
- The piece of paper I received after the endoscopy said to follow up with my GP. I did follow up with my GP and the report came back positive for celiac disease. My GP said “well, you’re celiac. But, you’re a dietitian, right, so this should be easy for you!”
- Perhaps I had a leg up in the nutrition part of it, but I think we all know that the gluten free diet is not a walk in the park. And, although, I am so appreciative of the medical care I received, it did open my eyes to the lack of knowledge within the medical community when it came to celiac disease and the lack of support offered to individuals with celiac disease.
That’s how Healthbean Nutrition was born!
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- *Information and perspectives posted on The Celiac Scene are intended to provide general information, without independent verification on the part of The Celiac Scene for the accuracy of the information provided to it. The information is specifically not intended to be a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by your physician or other health care professional. Always consult your own physician or other health care professionals about any medical questions, diagnosis, or treatment, especially before trying any diet. Healthbean Nutrition does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on any content contained herein.
