Gluten Free

Gluten is the major type of protein found in products made from wheat, rye and barley. For a variety of reasons children may be unable to cope with digesting and/or absorbing gluten, and are advised to avoid eating it. Living gluten free may seem like a life condemned to reading labels and analysing ingredients, but in reality there has never been a better time to live gluten free. Better packaging and greater alternatives mean that dietary restrictions may not be so strict after all!
Living Gluten Free
- Gluten free diets may be recommended for a variety of reasons, including:
- Coeliac disease - an autoimmune disorder of the small bowel prompted by gluten.
- Gluten intolerance - another name for coeliac disease.
- Wheat allergy - a condition in which the body misrepresents wheat as harmful and releases histamines to deal with it.
- Dermatitis herpeformitis - gluten induced skin sensitivity.
Gluten Free Feast
When a gluten free diet is first attempted, it may seem as though there is nothing left to eat. Actually, a variety of options exist including:- Nuts, Seeds, Beans, Lentils (Although read the labels of baked beans.)
- Fruits and Vegetables (All undressed fruits and vegetables.)
- Dairy and Eggs
- Eggs
- Milk
- Cream
- Butter
- Cheese
- Soya
- Preserves
- Marmalades
- Jams
- Confectionary
- Honey
- Sugar
- Treacle
- Molasses
- Golden Syrup
- Some chocolate and sweets - read the labels
- Cereals and Flours (including foods made with either)
- Buckwheat
- Corn
- Potato
- Rice
- Sago
- Tapioca
- Soya
Gluten Free Lunches
One of the hardest parts of cooking for children on a gluten free diet can be preparing a healthy lunch that is "just like everyone else's." No child wants to be marked out at lunch time as different, but with a little planning a gluten free lunch can contain many of the same items as any other healthy meal. Shop ahead and send your child with:- Fresh, whole fruit or fruit slices.
- Popcorn
- Cheese sticks or string cheese.
- Lettuce wraps of ham and cheese, turkey or roast beef.
- Tuna or egg mayonnaise.
- Fruit rolls.
- Hard boiled eggs.
- Apple sauce.
- Crisps, though read the labels to be sure.
- Fruit snacks, but again, read the labels.
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