Finding the Perfect Treats for Your Eczema Valentine

Giving a loved one food or treats can be a wonderful gesture. It can also be a risky one. Most people take their food intake very seriously so it is important to give properly delicious and appropriate gifts.

Gift giving best practices

To master the gift of giving great food, there are a few steps that should be taken and a few things that should be considered. This is especially true when the person you are food gifting has a condition which can be affected by your yummy treat. When giving gifts to a person with atopic dermatitis there are steps that should be taken for best gift giving practice.

Step 1: Know your person

There are a number of questions you must ask yourself before buying your delicious gift. Questions include but are not limited to: Who is the person to whom you are providing an edible gift? Is it a significant other? A child? A friend? A coworker? Will the gift be humorous? Romantic? Serious? Sweet? What does he or she like? What does he or she dislike? Favorites? Preferences?

Step 2: Know the no-no's

Know what gifts are a definite non-option. Particularly for people with atopic dermatitis know the irritants and why, including their definite irritants and potential or more common irritants. Be mindful of your person's issues and concerns.

Step 3: Know their needs

If your person has specific food needs or wants, meet them where they are. Ask questions, prior to the day of, to pick their brain. Make it fun!

Step 4: Be prepared

Know your atopic-friendly food options and take your pick. Some atopic dermatitis-friendly food options include:

• Fruit arrangements: An Edible Arrangement or self-made fruit arrangement with atopic dermatitis-friendly fruits such as blueberries, cherries, apples, and pears would be a great and skin conscious gift.
• Dried fruit: Dried fruits can be a great option as a skin-friendly food.
• Chocolate:Chocolate in moderation can also be a good gift. But be aware of triggers and read the labels for the ingredients to avoid triggers.
• Fish: Fish dinner can be a great option. Fish is great for the body internally and is also great for atopic dermatitis and skin in general.
• Veggies: Veggie friendly dinners that include spinach, broccoli, and carrots can be a great dinner option for atopic dermatitis-friendly food.

Going out to eat

If you are taking your loved one out to dinner, be sure to do your research and find an eczema-friendly food place. Consider a place that serves the aforementioned. Also, prepare in advance for going out to dinner. On Valentine's Day, any good restaurant may be full and/or overflowing. You can avoid this by calling ahead and making reservations or checking the wait time if reservations are unavailable at the great, well thought out place of your choice. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Picking the place to eat

Select a place with great options that fit their needs. Also, make sure the ambiance of the place you selected is great. Perhaps include other elements such as music, special lighting, gorgeous scenery, great pictures, great amenities, great seating. If your person has to be selective with their eating, make sure to maximize the rest of their experience.