Having a child on a medically necessary specialty diet is not an experience I anticipated would be a part of my life, but life is funny like that. There are many reasons people are on a gluten-free diet, but for our family \u2013 it\u2019s thanks to celiac disease, which means this household is on a very strict gluten-free diet.<\/p>\n
We are lucky since our kids have really only ever known a gluten-free diet, with the switch happening when my kids were all under the age of 3. As they got older, and started to have more control over their food choices, they are aware their diet is different from others’. We have had to make a few changes and have come across some important conversations as they become more aware, and I am still learning how to ensure they\u2019re safe when it comes to food without overwhelming them about the whole process.<\/p>\n
Gluten-free diets are becoming more and more prevalent. If you\u2019re transitioning your child to a gluten-free diet for whatever reason, here are some helpful tips to ease the transition for your kids and you:<\/p>\n
Kids don\u2019t like to feel different, but when it comes to a gluten-free diet, they\u2019re going to notice limitations they have that their friends may not. Take the time to explain why they\u2019re on a special diet \u2013 use age-appropriate language and give details you may think they don\u2019t care about. There was a time when my kids thought that only girls had to eat gluten-free (in my household that\u2019s true, but not for others), so be sure to talk about the diet in relation to others and why they may be gluten-free (or not!) as well.<\/p>\n
The last thing you want is for your gluten-free child to feel ostracized from the family due to their diet, so make learning all about the gluten-free diet and safety a family affair. Learn together how to make sure cross-contamination doesn\u2019t happen if you\u2019re not transitioning the whole family, how to read labels, and the importance of surface and hand washing. Make safety a priority for all members, not just the child who eats gluten-free.<\/p>\n
If your kids are anything like mine, they have questions upon questions \u2013 even ones I\u2019ve already answered. While these questions can get annoying quickly, taking the time to answer and yes, re-answer is important for helping them understand their diet and the importance of sticking to it. Be sure to address the emotional impact of their new diet as well \u2013 check in to see how they\u2019re feeling and to let them know it\u2019s okay to feel upset and to come to you with questions and complaints.<\/p>\n
My kids really don\u2019t like the idea of not being able to eat their favourite foods just because they\u2019re on a gluten-free diet. Show your kids that the new diet isn\u2019t about giving up on things, but you\u2019re just substituting a different brand that\u2019s safe for them to eat.<\/p>\n
If your child loves Oreo cookies, Kinnikinnick KinniToos<\/a> is a great alternative. If macaroni and cheese is their favourite, Annie\u2019s Gluten-Free Rice Pasta<\/a> is an amazing substitution. Thanks to the growing gluten-free market, there are little products that haven\u2019t been modified to be safe for those on a gluten free diet \u2013 you just need to know where to look<\/a>!<\/p>\n Introducing your kids to others who are on a similar diet can open a new world for them. They start to feel a little less different and a little more normal, which can go a long way in their acceptance of the new diet. Check your area for local support groups, or start your own. Also, you can check online for safe chat rooms where you can supervise your child in meeting kids on the diet who can share information about food safety and answer how-to questions, such as navigating school on a special diet and feeling included in birthday party settings.<\/p>\n It\u2019s amazing what a positive attitude and the language you’re using can do for your child\u2019s perspective. Instead of focusing on all the changes that have to be made and all the new things there are to learn, think of it as a new adventure. Share with your child how much better they\u2019re going to feel on the new diet and all the opportunities you\u2019ll have as a family to cook new foods and find new favourites.<\/p>\n Do you have any tips on helping your children lead a healthful, gluten-free lifestyle?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Having a child on a medically necessary specialty diet is not an experience I anticipated would be a part of my life, but life is funny like that. There are many reasons people are on a gluten-free diet, but for our family \u2013 it\u2019s thanks to celiac disease, which means this household is on a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46669","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-food"],"yoast_head":"\n5. Help them meet other kids on a gluten-free diet.<\/h4>\n
6. Focus on the positives!<\/h4>\n