Family Friendly Gluten Free Recipes
I know from experience it can be tricky transitioning to gluten free recipes when someone in the family needs those meals provided for them. No one wants, or has the time, for making two different meals so its important to make the whole family happy with every recipe!
Plus, buying speciality gluten free ingredients can be expensive. Therefore, utilizing affordable ingredients that are naturally gluten free and readily available is key.
Although the purpose of this article is to find a collection of gluten free recipes for kids, they actually all keep the whole family happy. Make one delicious, family-friendly meal and save yourself time and money!
For more affordable family-friendly gluten free recipes, be sure to check out this cheap gluten free recipe resource!
Simple Gluten Free And Dairy Free Recipes For Kids
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Being the parent of a child with allergies is not easy. Not by a long stretch. While there are certainly worse things that could happen, the constant worry your little one will put something he or she cannot tolerate into their mouths is a constant fear many parents endure on the daily. Also? Trying to find gluten free and dairy free recipes for kids that are easy to make and that actually taste good can sometimes feel impossible.
As parents, we want our kids to experience all of the joys life has to offer, and when their friends are chowing down on pizza, cookies, and cupcakes at birthday parties, we want them to have the same experience. And while friends and family might think a cheat day wont do any harm, they are sorely mistaken. All it takes is one small bite of an allergen to cause a severe and sometimes fatal allergic reaction, making it difficult for parents and caregivers of kids with allergies to relax.
From Zucchini Banana Oatmeal Pancakes to Paleo Pizza Crust, weve rounded up 24 of our favorite allergy-friendly recipes for kids who cant tolerate gluten and dairy.
Chipotle Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps
Having some pulled pork before watching some Sunday afternoon football? Make some GF and DF pulled pork and serve in lettuce cups with a little avocado. It accommodates a wide variety of eating restrictions and taste SO good.
http://fashionablefoods.com/2015/10/27/chipotle-pulled-pork-lettuce-wraps-with-avocado-aioli/ Photos and Recipe By: Fashionable Foods
Also Check: Jersey Mike’s Gluten Free Bread Review
Gluten Free Meal Ideas For Kids And Families
Most recipes can be adapted for gluten using affordable ingredients. With a little creativity and savviness, you can avoid buying expensive gluten free substitutes and instead use what you already have!
Below are my go-to tips for making delicious gluten free substitutes kids and families enjoy!
How To Pack Gluten
A lot of gluten-free lunch recipes involve finger foods, hot lunches, and salads so having the right container goes a long way. Containers with compartments and thermoses have proven to be the most helpful when it comes to packing non-sandwich lunches and Ive got an entire post reviewing the top MOMables lunch containerrecommendations which you can check out here.
Also Check: Does Campbell’s Soup Have Gluten
Some Pieces Of Advice For People With Celiac Disease Or Gluten Intolerance
Here are some useful tips for managing gluten intolerance in the best way:
- Read carefully the labels of the products you want to buy. Brands that offer gluten-free products often have special logos to attract the attention of consumers.
- Use specific utensils for cooking gluten-containing foods and other utensils for gluten-free ones.
- Do not recycle the frying oil with which you fried breaded foods.
- Do not recycle the cooking water where you cooked ingredients that contains gluten .
- At the restaurant, tell the waiter you are intolerant and ask about how they cook food .
- When you buy new medications, ask the pharmacist if they contain gluten.
- Never feel uncomfortable about this problem you have to pay attention to what you eat. You can always eat fruit, meat, fish, chicken, cheese, eggs if you cant find any gluten-free grains.
- Search Google for sites and communities of people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance to discover which restaurants in your area offer gluten-free dishes.
- Remember that several alcoholic beverages contain gluten, such as beer made from malt, vodka, and whiskey. You can drink white and red wine, port and liqueurs.
- Clean your kitchen carefully before cooking gluten-free food. I dont want to sound paranoid, but a tiny gluten trace is enough to trigger a reaction in a sensitive subject.
- Some sauces may contain gluten, always read the labels, and think about using alternatives, such as spices.
Kid Friendly Gluten Free Recipes
Feeling like a normal person after a food allergy diagnosis can sometimes be a challenge. And if you are a parent of a child with Celiac disease or non-Celiac gluten sensitivity you are most likely completely overwhelmed with what is safe for your child to eat. Take a deep breath we are here to help. Planning a freezer cooking day can help you have a variety of safe meal choices on hand at all times. With a Membership, you can even create your own custom menu to meet your specific needs.
Read Also: Udi’s Gluten Free Pizza Crust Nutrition
Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
For a healthy upgrade to regular French fries, try this recipe for homemade, oven baked sweet potato fries! One of the things my husband and I missed most when we switched to healthier eating was a side of fries with our burgers. Luckily, you dont have to say goodbye to fries forever just because you are trying to eat healthier.
Check it here.
Fruit & Veggies For Gluten
Banana sliced with peanut butter or sunbutter
Celery with peanut butter or sunbutter and raisins check out this post for a more creative idea
Raisins, craisins, or dates
Sliced apples with peanut butter or sunbutter
Any fruit with this tasty peanut butter yogurt fruit dip
Homemade fruit salad in a container
Acai smoothie bowl in a sealed container send the fruit in a baggie or other container to be added at lunchtime
Applesauce in a pouch or container
Vegetables with hummus
Recommended Reading: Publix Pizza Dough Nutrition
Gluten Free Meal Plans For Families
Im a huge meal planner because it saves me from unnecessary trips to the grocery store. Once a week I sit down and jot down the meals well be having, plus sides, and build my grocery list off of that.
It also saves you from unnecessary stress at the grocery store because you can research ahead of time the gluten free brand to purchase. Check out these gluten free meal plans and you have all the work done for you.
Well..except grocery shopping and cooking, but hey, its a start!
Reasons Your Child Should Not Go Gluten
- By Claire McCarthy, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing
Follow me at @drClaire
There is a puzzling and worrisome new phenomenon that I am seeing as a pediatrician: parents who are putting their children on gluten-free diets.
Its puzzling because in the vast majority of cases it isnt necessary and its worrisome because, although parents are doing it because they think its healthy, a gluten-free diet can be very unhealthy for children.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and some other grains. Its in bread and other baked goods, cereals, pastas and in many other foods in small amounts. For people with celiac disease, even those small amounts can make them sick. People with allergies to wheat cant eat it either. But the number of people with celiac disease or wheat allergy is actually pretty small. For both of these conditions, there are tests that can be done to make the diagnosis .
Yet “gluten-free” is all over products in the grocery store as if gluten were evil. But gluten isnt evil at all. Here are three ways that a gluten-free diet can be unhealthy for children:
Because gluten is in so many foods, being on a gluten-free diet can also make school lunches, play dates, and other aspects of a childs daily life significantly more complicated and it can be more expensive, too.
Also Check: Is Olive Garden Dressing Gluten Free
Healthy Sweet Potato Avocado Bites
If you want a healthy snack, appetizer, or side dish that is totally guilt-free, nourishing, and easy to make, these sweet potato avocado bites are just perfect! First, these healthy bites are the easiest foods to cook bake sweet potato rounds, and smash avocado on them! Second, this combo provides you and your guests with a healthy and delicious appetizer alternative I mean, any opportunity to eat veggies is a good one! Third, this recipe is low carb with far fewer calories than other appetizers and snacks you cant beat that!
Check it here.
Peanut Butter And Jelly Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
When it comes to enjoying a PB& J, no child should be left behind because of food allergies. If you nix the bread and replace it with gluten-free oats, your kids can enjoy the timeless snack duo too. Choose natural peanut butter for healthier results or almond butter if your child has a peanut allergy.
Parents love that animal crackers are portable, and kids love how they taste and look. However, most store-bought versions are high in sugar and off-limits to gluten-free kids. Enlist the kids to help you make your own zoo using gluten-free flour, molasses, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Also Check: Cauliflower Pizza Crust Publix
Simple Grab And Go Gluten
- Hard-boiled or scrambled eggs
- Charcuterie tray with pepperoni, cheese chunks, fruit, and gluten-free crackers
- Gluten-free crackers with hummus
- Gluten-Free meatballs with marinara sauce
- Sandwich on gluten-free bread or bagel
- Wraps made with gluten-free tortillas
- Refried beans with cheese and Tostitos
- Cheese quesadilla made with gluten-free tortillas
- Meat and Cheese skewers
- Precooked roasted chicken packets with cheese and GF crackers
We hope these recipe ideas help you as much as they are going to help us! Be sure to check out more recipe ideas on their Power Your Lunchbox page.
Creamy Tomato Gluten Free Penne Pasta
Creamy without cheese? Yes. Its possible. Try out this recipe to help your GF and DF kids feel included in the Pasta scene. With added fresh tomatoes and a little basil, this dish of pasta makes perfect leftovers for lunch the next day.
http://www.cottercrunch.com/tomato-gluten-free-penne-pasta/ Photos and Recipe By: Cotter Crunch
Also Check: Tuscan Garden Italian Salad Dressing
A Guide To The Gluten
If your child has been diagnosed with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, theyll need to follow a strict gluten-free diet. Always talk to a doctor before cutting gluten out of your childs diet.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and the derivatives of these grains, including malt and brewers yeast.
A gluten-free diet excludes all products containing these ingredients. Those who are gluten-free can still enjoy a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, beans, legumes and most dairy products. Such ingredients are naturally gluten-free, and safe for individuals who do not have allergies to these respective food groups.
Eating gluten-free is the only way kids with celiac disease can stay healthy. Theres no medicine or shot you can take to make it go away.
Gluten Free Recipes For Kids
Jodi / /
These gluten-free recipes for kids are go-to recipes that kids love. Changing to a gluten-free lifestyle is challenging. Our goal is to make it as easy for your family as possible. Save this list and use it to meal plan for gluten-free meal ideas you dont have to stress over.
Perfect for any night of the week, holiday events, or birthday parties, these are all easy gluten-free meals for kids that can be made for any occasion. Plus, this collection of recipes is enjoyed by everyone even those that arent gluten-free! From Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks and French Dip Sandwiches to Apple Cider Donuts and Pumpkin Muffins, you can easily create family-friendly meals that please everyone!
Using naturally gluten-free ingredients in combination with a few of our favorite gluten-free products, these recipes were created with families in mind. Affordable, easy to make, and full of flavor!
Also Check: Where Can I Buy Gluten Free Crescent Rolls
Advice On Raising A Gluten
Children with celiac disease can grow up normally and be happy and healthy. It takes pre-planning, either by verifying safe food will be available when they go to someones house, a school activity, a party or some other event or by preparing food that they can take. There are many examples of children whove never let the diet stand in their way from preschool through college.
The best thing a parent can do for a child with celiac disease is convey the message that the gluten-free diet does not have to limit them in any way. Being positive is extremely important. Kids with celiac disease often have a great attitude and deal very well with the fact that there are times when they cant have some foods the other kids are having. Usually, that attitude is fostered by their parents who make sure preparations have been made so their child does not feel deprived. Food is often less of a big deal to kids with celiac disease than their parents.
When she was diagnosed with celiac disease at two years old, I worried that my daughter would not be able to grow up happy and healthy. But shes now 27, and she went through everything from preschool to college in a perfectly normal way. We decided early on that the diet should not stop her from doing anything she wanted, and thats how she has lived her life. She participated in activities ranging from Girl Scouts to dance team, went to college far from home and studied abroad in London. Now shes all grown up and getting married.
Strongly Emphasize The Problems Inherent In Gluten Cross
It will do your child no good to have a perfectly gluten-free lunch prepared in a way that cross-contaminates it for example, a salad cut on a cutting board where gluten-y sandwiches are prepared, or a 100% beef hamburger prepared on a grill where buns are toasted.
If at all possible, seek to have one corner of the kitchen designated as the “gluten-free” corner, where only gluten-free food is prepared. If that’s not possible , try to make certain that the same person prepares your child’s food every day, and teach that person to guard vociferously against cross-contamination. Emphasize the need for clean pots, pans, utensils and fresh gloves. These rules for staying gluten-free at restaurants also can apply to school cafeterias.
Recommended Reading: Costco Crackers Gluten Free
