Gluten Free Foods Kids Will Love
Kids can be picky eaters. This can make a gluten free even harder for them to follow. Below youll find 12 of our favorite gluten free foods for kids.
Going gluten free can be a challenging transition but having the right food products and some tasty recipes makes all the difference. When it comes to kids going gluten free, there is an extra challenge because kids tend to be picky eaters. They may also feel left out at school, so its important to always have safe gluten free snacks readily available!
The good news is that there are plenty of gluten free options for kids out there, you just have to know where to look. With some gluten free convenience foods and a healthy dose of creativity, you can make gluten free versions of your childs favorite foods, so they doesnt feel deprived. Here are twelve quick and easy gluten free recipes your kids will love.
1. PB& J Apple Bites Peanut butter and jelly is a staple in any childs diet but going gluten free makes things a little more difficult because you cant just grab a loaf of bread off the shelf. For a simple gluten free alternative to classic PB& J, try using apple slices instead of bread. Simply cut an apple into ¼-inch slices and use a small cookie cutter to cut out the core from each slice. Slather half the slices with peanut butter and the other half with jelly then put them together!Prep Time: 10 minutes
How Do I Know If My Child Is Allergic To Gluten
There are some signs and symptoms that could indicate a gluten allergy in your kid:
- Resistance to eating gluten foods
Its important not to assume that seeing these signs means your child is definitely gluten intolerant!
If you suspect it based on some parent detective work, you should get it checked by your childs pediatrician.
Summary: If your child has symptoms of gluten sensitivity, have them evaluated by the family doctor.
Eat Leftovers For A Gf/cf Lunch
And we always rely on dinner leftovers for lunch anyway, so when youre creating lovely GF/DF meals at night, just pack some leftover grilled meat or a thermos of soup for lunch.
Involve the child in the shopping
If lunches are a source of pain and frustration for your kids, its totally understandable. This may be where they feel the change the most and also have other friends to compare to who are still downing PB& J and yogurt tubes.
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Read Also: Gluten Free Snacks To Buy
Mexican Food Is Great
Mexican food still works! Check ingredients carefully on the taco seasoning and use corn tortillas or corn chips instead of flour tortillas, and youre good to go. But refried beans, Mexican rice, and taco meat are all typically gluten-free. Just be in the habit of reading any packages you might use, or make from scratch!
Also Check: Gluten Free Substitute For Bread Crumbs
Gluten Free Sandwiches On A Stick
Lunch on a stick! It doesnt get any easier than this! Grab some skewers and your favorite veggies, meats, and cheeses. This simple gluten-free meal idea pairs classic sandwich ingredientsminus the breadwith the popular shish kebab serving style. Simply layer deli-sliced meats, arugula, chunks of your favorite cheese, grape tomatoes, and dill pickles on skewers. Serve up with small containers of ranch dressing or deli mustard.
Also Check: Gluten And Dairy Free Recipes
Dairy Free Breakfasts And Snacks
Boston Cream Pie Oatmeal A superfood breakfast treat, this oatmeal is made with a boost of protein and natural ingredients for a satisfying dairy free breakfast that tastes like dessert.
Almond Butter Breakfast Cookies This wholesome healthy recipe is made with simple ingredients and no refined sugars so you can have cookies for breakfast guilt free!
Egg Wraps Made with just 2 ingredients and high in protein, these wraps are quick to whip up and easily customizable with all your favorite fillings.
Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins Made with fresh produce, dark chocolate chips, and a blend of gluten free flours, these muffins are soft, fluffy, naturally sweetened, and full of fiber to keep you full.
No Bake Cowboy Cookie Energy Bites Made with better-for-you ingredients, this gluten free dairy free breakfast recipe is everything you love about cowboy cookies in the convenience of a no bake bite.
Dairy Free Chia Pudding with Peaches Loaded with fresh fruit, chia seeds, and plant-based protein, this breakfast is quick to prepare and guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
Grape Smoothie Sweet, refreshing, and ready in minutes, this dairy free smoothie can easily be customized with add-ins like gluten free oats, chia seeds, and plant-based protein for a crowd-pleasing recipe.
Important Tips To Remember When Shopping For Gluten Free Recipes:
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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.
Focus On The Other Food Groups
Like fruit, with no-sugar-added fruit cups and whole fruits. I always try to make sure fat and protein are high in other parts of the lunch when we send fruit, so Leah ate a lot of apples and nut butter for a while. Adding some trail mix with crispy nuts and coconut is a great way to bulk up nutrient density too.
Read Also: Lactose And Gluten Intolerance Test
If Your Child Has Gluten Issues Dinner Can Get Complicated These Five Easy Kid
When you find articles by ‘Allrecipes Editorial Team,’ know that this byline indicates a collaborative effort from our core team of writers and editors. Through these collaborations, the Allrecipes staff is able to provide readers with the most current, accurate, and comprehensive information possible.
Kids and their developing taste buds can sometimes fall on the picky side, and adding in a food intolerance makes dinnertime even more challenging. We get it and we have some recipe ideas that will help. Our round-up of diverse and delicious kid-friendly gluten-free dinners will make mealtime easier.
Cheesy Salsa Verde Rice & Beans Breakfast Bowl
The Spruce / Stephanie Kirkos
A hearty combination of beans, rice, cheese, salsa verde, and eggs, this breakfast bowl makes a mighty fine lunch or dinner, too. Itâs super customizable, too: use your favorite beans, white or brown rice, and your favorite salsa. Add a sautéed or roasted vegetable like spinach or broccoli.
Recommended Reading: What To Avoid When Gluten Free
Simple Vegan Tofu And Vegetable Stir
The Spruce
Stir-fries are an easy and cheap lunch or dinner option. Toss all of the veggies you have lying around together with a tasty sauce and call it a day. Make sure all of your ingredients are gluten-free, especially the soy sauce. If desired, you can swap the tofu for stir-fried chicken or pork.
Staple Ingredients For Gluten Free Dairy Free Recipes
A common misconception when it comes to eating dairy free is that youll have to give up rich textures and cheesy flavors, but that isnt the case! You just have to get a little creative in the kitchen. Take a look at all of our favorite gluten free dairy free swaps and substitutions here. In the meantime, some of our go-to staple ingredients include:
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Hidden Vegetable Recipes For Lunch
- Farmers Market Sandwiches Who said sandwiches needed to be boring? Make it colorful and customizable with this epic Farmers Market Sandwich! Vegan and Nut Free
- Crock-Pot Chicken Salad & Sliders Rich in probiotics. NO mayo needed. EASY and another great meal to make in bulk or ahead of time. I like to sneak in a little chopped cabbage to the chicken salad.
- Gluten Free Baked Homemade UncrustablesBetter than store-bought. These uncrustables make this meal plan for kids super fun! Not to mention, nut butter and jelly is a kid favorite! The recipe is easy to make vegan as well!
Other homemade uncrustables fillings with fruit and veggies include:
- Nut Butter, bananas, and honey
- Cheese with apples or figs
- Cucumber and hummus
- Fresh strawberries and cream cheese
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.
Recommended Reading: Simple Gluten Free Bread Recipe
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.
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!
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Tips For Storing And Reheating
If you think meals are always best served fresh, think again! These tips will ensure that even leftovers taste brand new.
Freeze Individual Portions. For foods like muffins, cookies, and snacks, try wrapping each serving individually and storing them all together in a sealable bag. Then, when youre ready to eat, all you have to do is grab and defrost one rather than a whole batch.
Keep Broth and Non-Dairy Milk on Hand. The easiest way to spruce up leftover soups, pastas, and casseroles that have gone a bit dry is to add a splash of broth or dairy free milk as they warm back up. This will not only help liquefy the sauces but will also enhance the flavor.
Prepare Ahead of Time. Its always best to let frozen leftovers thaw in the fridge overnight rather than trying to get them to thaw quickly. So, if you can, try to prepare in advance, and move foods from the freezer to the fridge the night before. Then, all you have to do is warm them back up!
Utilize Your Favorite Tools. Kitchen gadgets are your best friends when it comes to kid friendly dairy free meals. Dont be afraid to take advantage of the Instant Pot, crockpot, air fryer, and more for easy reheating!
Easy Gluten Free Veggie Sandwich
You can still eat a sandwich and be gluten-free with this great recipe, It features fresh, whole ingredients and is primed to be lunch-changing! Youll need 2 slices of your favorite whole grain gluten-free bread, toasted. Add to that, hummus, pesto, thinly sliced carrots, sprouts, sea salt, and pepper. Salivating yet? Get ready for a new and delicious gluten-free lunch that you just might end up craving every day.
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Why Is Gluten Bad For You
Its important to understand that foods containing gluten arent inherently bad.
It wont affect everybody negatively, and most people can go about their lives eating whatever foods they like without any nasty side effects.
Those of us whose bodies dont deal well with gluten, however, can suffer some debilitating symptoms when exposed to it through food.
An intolerance of gluten is known as celiac disease.
When people with celiac come into contact with gluten, it kicks off an autoimmune response that attacks the small intestines lining to get rid of the problem ingredientgluten.
The inflammation triggered by the autoimmune response results in bloating, abdominal pain, and impacts the bodys ability to absorb good nutrients.
People with gluten intolerance usually show additional symptoms of anemia and unexpected weight loss.
Only about 1 percent of the US population suffers from celiac disease, but if youre one of those 1 percent, youll understand why gluten gets a bad rap!
Learn more about gluten in this video.
A Gluten Free Diet And What To Look Out For
Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, malt, and brewers yeast. Gluten is the protein that gives dough its elasticity, holding it together, and giving it a soft, pliable structure.
When reading food labels you should look out for the obvious red flags, such as wheat, rye, barley, and malt. However, even if grains, like oats and rice, are naturally gluten free, they may have been processed on equipment shared with wheat products.
To be confident look for a certified gluten free label on the package or cross reference with the manufacturers website. Although first experiences shopping gluten free can be overwhelming and time consuming, it does get easier! Once you are familiar with safe products its easier to grab and go.
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Make Po De Queijo A Cheesy Brazilian Roll
Eating gluten-free doesnt have to mean missing out on great rolls at the dinner table, or settling for subpar gluten-free bread.
The answer to the conundrum? Pão de queijoa cheesy, naturally gluten-free bread originating from Brazil and adapted by the ATK Kids team for The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs.
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!
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Tips For Eating A Gluten
Before we dive in, let me remind you that ALL recipes on Downshiftology are gluten-free. So really, that means you have hundreds of recipes to choose from. But Ive rounded up 40 or so of my favorites in this post for you today.
Starting a gluten-free diet may seem tricky, but it doesnt have to be. The key is to focus on all the things you can eat, and nourish your body with simple, wholesome, and nutritious ingredients. Thats the best way to make your gut happy!
