FODMAP gift basket

November 17, 2020 9:16 AM

I want to send a housewarming gift to a friend but they are on a FODMAP diet and I know nothing about that. What treats can I send them?

I was initially thinking of some fancy decorate yourself doughnuts, but I'm pretty sure that's out?
So what can I send that they can eat (I guess doesn't have to be food? but I think should be consumable) and also share with their housemate?
This is in the UK.

posted by Just this guy, y'know to Shopping (14 answers total)

Dark chocolate is low FODMAP, so if your friend is a chocolate-liker, something like this could work (or any other kind, I just really like the Montezumas buttons).
posted by terretu at 9:19 AM on November 17, 2020

Other good consumable gifts are things like soap, lotion, and candles. Candles also make a nice housewarming gift.
posted by The otter lady at 9:33 AM on November 17, 2020 [3 favorites]

Salt is a traditional housewarming gift, and a set of fancy flavored salts could be a great gift for someone whose diet has just become less flavorful. Just make sure there's no onion or garlic powder in it.
posted by showbiz_liz at 9:48 AM on November 17, 2020 [5 favorites]

I just noticed a brand of FODMAP okay ready-meals - some of those and pure chocolate and a wooden spoon, maybe?
posted by clew at 9:58 AM on November 17, 2020

Chocolate is a great idea. Maybe tea towels also? You can never have too many and the whole household ends up using them.
posted by corey flood at 10:37 AM on November 17, 2020

I eat a low fodmap diet. Dark chocolate (with no milk) is great.
Gluten free pretzels are good, potato chips are good. Some fruits are good (strawberries, bananas, blueberries). Sausage with a minimum of spice is good. Also I eat cheese with no lactose (such as hard cheddar) but your friend may or may not.
posted by mai at 10:44 AM on November 17, 2020

Useful housewarming presents when we had just moved into our new apartment:

Microfiber cleaning cloths
Extra packs of paper towels and toilet paper
Extra trash bags
Tea towels

Things that are nice:

Fresh flowers
Potted plants
High-quality tea and/or coffee (I believe black and green tea, and coffee, are OK for low-FODMAP diets?)
posted by snowmentality at 10:49 AM on November 17, 2020 [2 favorites]

Just a note on the tea, Chamomile (a popular tea in tea gift sets) is NOT low FODMAP and should be avoided. Things that are made from real sourdough are low FODMAP. So sourdough crackers and breads are good.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 11:19 AM on November 17, 2020 [3 favorites]

+1 for salt (something like this?), also spices (like these?), and maybe seeds (from a regional seed exchange?) for FODMAP-free foods (that are easy to grow in their area)?

Also, looks like sardines and olives and olive oil and smoked salmon would be good, too. All very yummy and gift basketable.
posted by 10ch at 12:22 PM on November 17, 2020

Flowers! Flowers are awesome, and people need beautiful things in their home right now.

You can also send them some tulip bulbs if the ground is still un-frozen enough to plant them.

PS - I think you might mean that they are on a "low FODMAP diet". The 'low' is key :)
posted by amtho at 2:02 PM on November 17, 2020 [1 favorite]

Fritos are low fodmap...and delicious!
posted by JennyJupiter at 3:26 PM on November 17, 2020 [1 favorite]

Macadamia nuts and maple syrup are low FODMAP.

This might be useful: https://www.monashfodmap.com/about-fodmap-and-ibs/high-and-low-fodmap-foods/
posted by kinddieserzeit at 1:58 AM on November 18, 2020

Best answer: I eat low FODMAP, and just want to chime in to say that not sending food is probably the best bet, unless you ask first. Many folks on the diet would report that they may have other food allergies or other sensitivities, so your chances of error are high. Not to be discouraging, though! I've got an allergy to nuts and citrus, in addition, and although I'd love to get some fancy chocolate, my friend who also follows this diet could never eat it, for example.
posted by backwards compatible at 4:59 AM on November 18, 2020 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks all.
I think the advice is that trying to figure it out in advance and also make it delicious is going to be too much work, so instead I sent a (still food) gift based on a discussion we previously had.
Which hopefully will be well received.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 3:54 PM on November 20, 2020