Rakshabandhan is the perfect occasion to pamper siblings. However, for siblings with dietary restrictions due to food allergies, intolerances or lifestyle choices, the usual sweets may not work.
This Rakshabandhan 2024, make these siblings feel extra special by gifting allergen-free treats and thoughtful presents mindful of their needs.
Gluten-Free Siblings
For gluten-intolerant siblings, swap wheat treats for safe snacks like:
Gluten-Free Seed Crackers
Make crispy crackers with buckwheat flour, millet flour, seeds like flax, sesame, sunflower, and seasoning. A healthy, tasty alternative to regular crackers.
Roasted Nuts and Dried Fruits
Make delicious customized trail mixes with nuts like almonds, and walnuts, dried fruits like apricots, dates, and dark chocolate chips. Iron and protein-rich.
Gluten-Free Cakes
Bake scrumptious cakes with gluten-free flour like almond flour, sorghum flour, cassava flour, and fresh fruits. Tart cherry coconut cake, banana almond muffins, etc are great options.
Hearty Savory Snack Mix
Toss together roasted corn kernels, potato or cassava wedges, pumpkin seeds, and peanuts. Season with spices, and herbs and drizzle oil. Wholesome and filling.
Dairy-Free Siblings
For vegan or lactose intolerant siblings, creativity is key for sweets sans dairy:
Coconut Milk Kheer
Make this kheer with full-fat coconut milk, short grain rice simmered till soft, dry fruits, cardamom, and saffron. Creamy and aromatic.
Mango Shrikhand
Blend hung curd from soy milk or coconut milk yogurt with mango puree, saffron, cardamom, and jaggery or sugar. Garnish with pistachios. Super yummy, and protein-rich.
Vegan Dark Chocolate Truffles
Melt vegan dark chocolate with coconut cream and cocoa powder. Let set in the fridge before rolling into luscious truffle balls. Coat in coconut flakes or nuts.
Fruit and Nut energy balls
Bind together dried fruits, nuts, oats, desiccated coconut, and seeds using sticky jaggery or maple syrup. Roll into bite-sized energy balls. Nutritious sweetness.
Diabetic Siblings
For siblings managing diabetes, make Rakhi guilt-free with smart sugar alternatives:
Sugarfree Coconut Laddoos
Replace regular sugar in laddoos with sugar substitutes compatible with their diet. You can even use zero-calorie sweeteners.
Dates and Walnut Energy Bars
Make bars with oats, nuts, roasted seeds, and mashed dates as natural sweeteners. Packed with fiber to balance blood sugar.
Cinnamon Apple Nachos
Top baked apple slices with roasted walnuts, cinnamon, and a sugar substitute if needed. Fresh fruit keeps it light.
Yogurt Berry Parfaits
Layer diabetic-friendly yogurt with berries and top with seeds and nuts. You can sweeten it with a little honey or stevia instead of sugar. A nutritious dessert.
Egg-Free Siblings
Skip eggs in baked goods for allergic siblings with great substitutes:
Flax or Chia eggs
Mix 1 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 3 tbsp water. Let sit for 5 minutes to form an egg substitute. Use in cakes, cookies, etc.
Mashed Bananas
1 mashed banana equals 1 egg in baking for moisture and binding. It adds natural sweetness too.
Applesauce
Replace eggs with unsweetened applesauce in a 1:1 ratio. Adds moisture without changing taste.
Aquafaba
The liquid from a can of chickpeas can whip up like egg whites for meringues or macarons. Versatile for vegans too.
Nut-Free Siblings
Swap nuts in snacks with seeds and dried fruits for siblings with nut allergies:
Roasted Sunflower, Pepita and Sesame seeds
Toss the seeds in olive oil, and spices and bake until crisp. Sprinkle on yogurt bowls or salads instead of nuts.
Cranberry and Apricot Granola Bars
Bind oats, puffed rice, sunflower seeds, and shredded coconut together with maple syrup and dried fruits like apricots, cranberries, and raisins. Slice and enjoy.
Roasted Seed Trail Mix
Make trail mixes with assorted roasted pumpkin, sunflower, and flax seeds. Add dark chocolate chips and dried goji berries or mulberries. Full of antioxidants.
Pumpkin or Sunflower Seed Butter
Look for nut-free seed butter to spread on toast or add to smoothie bowls. A protein-packed substitute for nut butter.
Make this Rakshabandhan extra caring for siblings with dietary needs by surprising them with allergen-free mithai, snacks, and thoughtful gifts instead of regular sweets. They will be touched by your effort to keep their health in mind.
Best deals and offers on ready-to-eat food items on Discovering Brands.