My husband was diagnosed with Celiac Disease six years ago, so we’ve been pros at living gluten-free for some time, learning how to eat out, travel, and wade through the gluten-eous world we live in.
It was when our 4 year-old son was diagnosed (about a year ago) with a gluten, egg, and dairy intolerance, that life changed a LOT. We decided then and there to become a gluten-free family. I eat gluten-free too, as does our 2 year-old daughter.
Being a gluten-free family is easier than you might think. Here's how we've had success making gluten-free living a family affair...
8 Tips For Easy Gluten-Free Living
We’re teaching our kids the lingo. Our son already knows that he can’t have food with gluten, dairy, or eggs.
We talk about using food as fuel. We want our kids to grow up knowing their bodies need healthy fuel for energy and for growing. We talk about how gluten, dairy, and eggs make our tummies feel.
We bring snacks wherever we go. I always leave the house with rice crackers, fruit or veggies, and homemade snacks.
We use the give and take model when it comes to treats. If we’re out at a café or the grocery store, I let my kiddies get a special treat. There are enough things they’re not allowed to ingest when we’re out and about.
We have a go-to cupcake recipe. I bring a couple of cupcakes with me when we go to birthday parties. They freeze well so all I need to do is thaw them, make some icing, and go.
We do a lot of baking. I have my KichenAid and loads of gluten-free, egg-free, and dairy-free recipes. I also make sure my kids help me bake. They love it.
We plan ahead when traveling. We always bring our own non-dairy milk, bread, and snacks when traveling. We also check online for gluten-free friendly restaurants.
We bring our own food when we go to someone else’s house. I even send bread when my kids go out for breakfast with their Gramps.
Raising gluten-free kids doesn’t have to be hard. Don’t fret over the food your child can’t eat, try considering all of the food your child CAN eat.
And lastly, instead of worrying about how to handle all of the changes, focus on how much healthier your child will be!
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