During the holiday season, cookies and other treats are everywhere. For many trying to keep up their usual healthy habit, this is merely a mild annoyance, but for people living with food allergies and intolerances, it can be frustrating on a whole other level. Being surrounded by people eating something you want and can’t have just feels, well, not fair.

When Lucy’s reached out to me about trying their gluten-free, allergy-friendly holiday cookies (which also happen to be vegan-friendly), I was intrigued. Gluten-free goods can be tricky when it comes to texture, so I always have my eye out for new products that my clients on gluten-free diets may like. Also, as someone who needs to avoid tree nuts, I often have to turn down dessert at holiday gatherings. 

The company was started by Dr. Lucy Gibney after finding out her child had severe food allergies. Their products, which include cookies, brownie crisps, and other snacks, areLucy’s products are certified gluten-free, Kosher pareve, vegan, and non-GMO project compliant. They’re baked in a dedicated bakery and thoroughly tested to exclude allergens such as:

• peanuts
• tree nuts
• eggs
• dairy
• gluten

I have a few colleagues at my clinical job who also have food allergies/intolerances, so we did a little taste-testing. The verdict? Overall, we thought the taste was fantastic! It was nice to eat a “safe” cookie that actually tastes like a cookie rather than a piece of “I promise I won’t kill you” cardboard. The texture was more crunchy than chewy, which makes these perfect for dipping in tea or crumbling to make a cookie crust for other desserts.

I would definitely recommend Lucy’s cookies. For those occasions you do want to indulge, it’s nice to have something handy that won’t induce, you know, anaphylactic shock or vomiting.

Cheers and happy holidays!

What’s your favorite holiday cookie?