Going MAD one gift at a time
/By Daisy Argudin
This is the gift giving time of the year. Whether you are the parent or a family member of someone on a version of the ketogenic diet, this gift guide is for you. You may not think of MAD (modified Atkins diet) or Keto as the inspiration for a gift list, but the reality is that this treatment should be celebrated as a life saver for many. There are items that can make things easier. There are things that are considered must haves. Best of all there are things that while not necessary can make meals more fun and life a little easier for everyone. Here are a few of our favorites. I haven't included specific brands as I find that for many of these items it’s more a matter of preference than any one brand being superior to another.
Measuring cups and spoons
On MAD these are the single most used item in our house. I prefer stainless steel spoons and cups as they are easy to clean and durable. I suggest you Have an extra set in your car. Car? Yes. I've been out and unavoidably delayed around lunch time with a hangry 6-year-old. I had to make up a meal on the fly in a grocery store and needed to buy an extra set to figure out the correct servings. You may never use them but if you need them, you’ll be glad I suggested it if you ever do.
Digital Scale
On MAD you may not have been told to use a scale to portion food but they are very useful. My 7-year-old can help prep many of his meals with supervision using the scale. When we buy premade food or mixes it makes figuring out correct portion sizes so much easier. On the nutrition label they normally list the serving size in a form that can be weighed, often OZ (ounce) or G (grams) in the US. it is very useful in figuring out portions of 1 pot meals. When eating out or traveling it is easier to use than measuring cups or spoons. You can put a small plate right on the scale to keep it clean and they are very portable.
Silicone liners
This simple little tool is a workhorse. They are very easy to clean and reuse. Silicone liners are my top choice for baking. Unlike the paper liners you don’t lose any of the oil you use in your recipes. They are useful for holding pills. They can be used in lunch boxes to keep food separated. I use them on my scale to keep it clean when weighing different items. They can be used as molds for fat bombs.
Rubber spatulas
I never knew how useful a rubber spatula would be till we started MAD. They are great for getting every single drop into your little one. I like having several types because they serve different purposes. The longer thin one is useful for getting waffles out of the waffle maker and getting every bit of nut butter out of the jar. They are great for cooking, mixing, frosting and, more
Oil containers
Not every child will drink their oil but if yours does having these is so much easier than carrying around oil bottles and spoons. There are many options on oil containers. Some prefer a jar style. Some like the syringe style with a cap. We like these squeezable ones because they are the easiest to use. We have bigger ones that can be filled with a couple of doses and portioned out at meal time with a small measuring cup. We also have smaller ones that can be pre portioned and placed into a lunch box.
Fun kid plates and cups
Being a kid on a diet of any kind can be very hard. For many, they eat similar meals most days and they can begin to refuse food and meal time can become a struggle. Having a few plates and cups they can pick from allows them to feel like they have choices and some control. I know in our case when I offer dinner and tell my son to pick whatever plate he wants he gets excited, even if the meal isn't his favorite. We prefer the kind with different sections, some are even made to be like a board game.
Lunch box
Whether your child is in school or not you'll need some way of transporting food. A thermos is a great way to transport heavy cream. I suggest you get the one with the wide mouth, it will be easier to clean. Lunch boxes seem to be one of those items where quality and cost go hand in hand. It may seem like an investment but some lunch boxes will last several years and are worth it.
Spiralizer
Some may think that these are only for zoodles, which are a great spaghetti substitute, but that’s not all. Vegetables are often a struggle for kids but making them fun can sometimes make them more tolerable. Zucchini is a good example; did you know it can be eaten raw? We often make salads with spiral zucchini and cucumber; the dressing provides necessary oils in a yummy way. Carrots, jicamas, turnips and, broccoli stems can also be spiraled and eaten raw or cooked.
Silicone mold
These molds have many uses. They are great for making fat bombs and chocolates. I use them with plain gelatin and flavored water for treats. You can make ice cubes with flavor enhancers for when your little ones are sick. The smaller molds can be used to make gummy candies treats that can be premade and enjoyed anytime. You can get them in many shapes and sizes which gives you many options on uses.
Mini waffle maker
I didn’t think I would use this as much as I have. Low carb waffles are just the beginning. Chaffels, waffles made with just eggs and cheese, are very popular. People use them as a bread alternative and as pizza crusts. You can make low carb hash browns with turnips; I've seen some use cauliflower but haven't tried it myself. You can make eggs with bacon crumbles and cheese for a super-fast and yummy breakfast.
Frother
I use this little gem at least once a day. It works well at emulsifying fats and liquids, so they do not separate in your drinks. It makes whipped cream with very little clean up. It will give you the fluffiest scrambled eggs. If you add protein to your drinks, it makes them creamier. You can use it to make beautiful dressings. My keto kid loves Capuchinos with extra foam and cream.
We hope this guide has given you some ideas. If your still not sure which item your keto loved one could use most, a gift card is always useful. Our social media this month will feature recipes that use all the tools we have included in our gift guide for inspiration, so keep an eye out. Share this with anyone you may know currently on or considering the ketogenic diet or modified Atkins for epilepsy, they may not realize how many useful tools are available to them.
If you also love these item's, please share how they have been useful to you. If there is any item you feel we’ve missed please share them with us. We always look forward to your comments.
I have not been compensated in any way for these items. My opinions are my own and honest.