For Kids
For Kids
Featured Product: Arrowhead Mills Bake with Me Kits
Bake up great tasting chocolate cupcakes that even those with gluten sensitivities can enjoy with new Arrowhead Mills Gluten Free Bake with Me Cupcake Mix. Made with organic ingredients they are specially fortified with children with iron zinc and six B vitamins. Look for fun balloon cupcake liners inside each box.
Raising Our Celiac Kids
The Hain Celestial Group is proud to support R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Celiac Kids), a free support group for parents, families, and friends of kids on the gluten-free diet because of celiac disease, gluten intolerance, autism, ADD/ADHD, allergies, or personal preference. R.O.C.K concentrates on dealing with the unique challenges that families of wheat-free/gluten-free kids face, including:
- Menu and snack ideas
- Helping kids take responsibility for reading labels, cooking and planning/preparing food
- How to prepare for parties and food-oriented activities at school, church, and elsewhere
- Educating day-care providers and teachers – without burdening them
- Dealing with grandparents, babysitters and friends who offer gluten-containing foods to our kids
- Ensuring kids won’t cheat, and what to do WHEN they do
R.O.C.K. has free support groups in dozens of cities throughout the country and Canada. Parents exchange information and ideas, while kids enjoy gluten-free goodies and play with other gluten-free kids. R.O.C.K. was founded by Danna Korn in 1991 after her son was diagnosed with celiac disease. R.O.C.K has grown to international proportions, helping families all over the world deal with the unique challenges of raising a child on a gluten-free diet.
For more information or to contact R.O.C.K visit http://www.glutenfreedom.net/raising-our-celiac-kids.asp. Danna has written a book called, “Kids with Celiac Disease: A Family Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy, Gluten-Free Children,” a second book, “Wheat-Free, Worry-Free: The Art of Happy, Healthy, Gluten-Free Living,” and her newest, “Living Gluten-Free for Dummies.” All are available at bookstores, www.amazon.com or www.glutenfreedom.net.
Gluten-free kids have it made these days! With all the great products out there, being gluten-free is delicious AND nutritious. Here are some tips that will help you, as parents, to remember that “gluten-free’s the way to be!”
- Arm your kids with knowledge: It doesn’t matter if your child is 2 or 12, he should be learning to take full control of his diet from Day One. Teach him what he can and can’t have, and remember to add that positive spin, stressing his favorite foods and the “goodies” that are allowed.
- Sleepovers: If your kids are going to a sleepover, be sure to talk to the host parents about his dietary requirements. Not only will this help prevent goofs, but it will give you a chance to find out what they’re serving for dinner, snacks, and breakfast, so that you can send “equivalent” treats for your child.
- Parties you’re hosting: Don’t be afraid to make your party entirely gluten-free. Everyone will love the food! Consider making gluten-free lasagna with DeBoles lasagna noodles for the main course, and let the kids help with dessert by whipping up some cupcakes from the Arrowhead Mills Bake with Me line – even the guests will have a blast!
- Camps: Most camps are great about accommodating special diets. Talk to the camp coordinators, and, if they have one, the camp nutritionist or cook. You can send food in coolers packed with dry ice if your child will be there for an extended stay.
- Parties they’re headed to: Kids love parties – but not because of the food – they love them because they’re FUN! If your child is headed to a party, try to find out in advance what will be served, and offer to provide food for all the kids, or at least your own. Remember, there are always great gluten-free “treat trades” that your kids can enjoy if you prepare in advance.
- Lunches: There are lots of great lunches you can send to school with your child. Leftovers are the best! Some schools will allow kids to warm their food in a microwave. If not, you still have great options. Yogurt or string cheese make good sources of protein…sandwiches can be wrapped in lettuce or corn tortillas. Gluten-free stir-fry and even soups in a keep-warm container make great lunches, too. Be sure to remind your child that trading lunches isn’t allowed.
- After-school snacks: There are lots of fun after-school snacks, and many can be packaged for the road, in case you need to run errands or go somewhere after school. Consider string cheese, fruit or veggies, quesadillas, popcorn, or trail mix. If you’re not going to be in the car, popsicles, smoothies, taquitos, and of course leftovers are great snacks.
- Remember that kids are resilient: Whether you think raising gluten-free kids is a breeze or a challenge, you need to remind yourself that kids are resilient. Sometimes tackling the challenges of a gluten-free diet is more difficult for the parents than for the kids. Kids are busy thinking of the fun they’re having and the friends they’re making … they’re far less focused on food than we adults are!