Contamination From Toys?

[emsimms]

Hello!

Sorry, I am fairly new to this and would like some advice, please.

 

My 8-year-old son has severe gluten intolerance as well as several other food intolerances (incl. egg and sesame, likely sulfites), some still unknown. We are still struggling with regular abdominal pains and can often not be sure if it is caused by gluten or another food.

 

Recently after a whooping 3 pain-free days he had a bad period of daily pains. I could not find anything different in his food but noticed that prior to the "bad days" we had his friends over whom I served chicken nuggets (with wheat and all). I am quite sure they did not wash their hands afterwards, although asked to do so.

 

Could the contamination from their hands on books and toys (stuffed animals, legos) be sufficient to cause these issues? My son does put toys as well as his fingers into his mouth sometimes.

Or am I overly anxious here?

 

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[IrishHeart]

I do not think you are overly-anxious at all. I think you're covering all your bases and being a good Mom.

 

Yes, I think it's possible to cross contaminate whenever you share living space. It's hard for adults to stay safe sometimes and

with kids, it is even harder to watch every single thing they do. 

 

I hate to go with the obvious here, but maybe next time, serve only G F treats and G F chicken nuggets to help dodge the CC issue?.

There are plenty of yummy G F treats you can serve and those kiddos will not know the difference, unless you tell them. 

[Mayasmum]

I would not serve food with gluten in to be honest especially to children. We are lucky, we have a completely gluten free home, with 3 young children, I cannot trust them to do what they should.

[emsimms]

Thanks so much for your replies! And for pointing out the obvious , it's definitely still needed here as I am pretty new to all this.

 

I am glad to hear that my suspicion of the CC from toys might be real, next time I will be better prepared. (I haven't been buying a lot of pre-made gluten-free foods so far as my son can't eat any of it, anyways. (Other food intolerances.) But I shall do so now, also for my other 2 kids. I am also starting to try everyone in the family to be mostly gluten-free, I have just been problems "converting" my daughters to gluten-free bread from home-made wheat bread, sigh...)

 

Thank you again!

[IrishHeart]

Thanks so much for your replies! And for pointing out the obvious , it's definitely still needed here as I am pretty new to all this.

 

I am glad to hear that my suspicion of the CC from toys might be real, next time I will be better prepared. (I haven't been buying a lot of pre-made gluten-free foods so far as my son can't eat any of it, anyways. (Other food intolerances.) But I shall do so now, also for my other 2 kids. I am also starting to try everyone in the family to be mostly gluten-free, I have just been problems "converting" my daughters to gluten-free bread from home-made wheat bread, sigh...)

 

Thank you again!

 

Hon, just to be clear, when I said, "point out the obvious" I was not being facetious, BTW, I was just using the expression. I hope you did not think me being "a wise guy" there.   lol

 

Here's why: I hesitate to tell people "only serve gluten-free foods to visitors"(because that may not be necessary for some folks)  but when it comes to kiddos, I would err on the side of caution. They TOUCH EVERYTHING as you know.  I still have a great memory of baking with my niece and nephew many years ago and when we were done, I had little floury hand prints all over my butt, my boobs, my back, even stuff in my hair ......they are huggers   

 

There are many options for baking gluten-free bread, muffins, cookies so do not despair. Hang in there, Mom!

P.S. My hubs went gluten-free with me (voluntarily) and neither of us feel deprived. In fact, I have gained 40 lbs. since diagnosis (and I only needed about 10 of those lbs.)  You'll find a tasty bread that everyone will like. We settled on UDIs or 3 Bakers when we do not bake our own. 

Best wishes!

[kareng]

Thanks so much for your replies! And for pointing out the obvious , it's definitely still needed here as I am pretty new to all this.

 

I am glad to hear that my suspicion of the CC from toys might be real, next time I will be better prepared. (I haven't been buying a lot of pre-made gluten-free foods so far as my son can't eat any of it, anyways. (Other food intolerances.) But I shall do so now, also for my other 2 kids. I am also starting to try everyone in the family to be mostly gluten-free, I have just been problems "converting" my daughters to gluten-free bread from home-made wheat bread, sigh...)

 

Thank you again!

You don't need to serve his friend pre- made gluten-free food. Why not make tacos or nachos? Cheese and fruit? Don't have the kids over until after lunch? Snacks are easier - cut up apples and melt Kraft Carmel's with a little water and pour over the apple slices. Popcorn. homemade Chex mix. PB on celery or apples.

[w8in4dave]

Or you can make some gluten-free chicken nuggets. It is pretty simple to do. you can cook and freeze them so when they come over pop them in the microwave or just cook them up when the come over. It will be better for them and for you!! 

[emsimms]

Hello again,

 

I did not take your message the wrong way, so no worries! I was honestly looking for advice, so even if you were being the "wise guy" it would be OK!

 

Very true about children touching and hugging everything, I am being more careful recently.

On our search for bread, the problem is we will still eat a different one than my son, as he can hardly eat any grains or eggs right now, either (NO corn, rice, buckwheat, soy, most nuts etc.). I am baking a gluten-free one that I love, but not any of my children...

 

Thanks for the ideas re: snacks for children! Nachos is a great idea, BTW, do you have a recipe so I can avoid the pre-mixed spices, I don't like the chemicals in them.

Again, I will still have to make different food for my son (due to all his other intolerances, esp. grains + he hates cheese and possibly has to cut our dairy, anyways) but at least they would be gluten-free.

 

As you see, I have lots to learn so your input really helps.

Thanks again!!

[kareng]

Hello again,

I did not take your message the wrong way, so no worries! I was honestly looking for advice, so even if you were being the "wise guy" it would be OK!

Very true about children touching and hugging everything, I am being more careful recently.

On our search for bread, the problem is we will still eat a different one than my son, as he can hardly eat any grains or eggs right now, either (NO corn, rice, buckwheat, soy, most nuts etc.). I am baking a gluten-free one that I love, but not any of my children...

Thanks for the ideas re: snacks for children! Nachos is a great idea, BTW, do you have a recipe so I can avoid the pre-mixed spices, I don't like the chemicals in them.

Again, I will still have to make different food for my son (due to all his other intolerances, esp. grains + he hates cheese and possibly has to cut our dairy, anyways) but at least they would be gluten-free.

As you see, I have lots to learn so your input really helps.

Thanks again!!

Sorry he can't eat the corn chips in nachos. Will it bother him to see others eating that?

For nachos, I just get chips, we like Mission round ones as they are strong. I put shredded cheese and whatever else you like on them. You could add salsa, cooked chicken or hamburger or bacon, beans, chili, fresh tomatoes. My " boys" like them with out the salsa and a little bowl of salsa to dip or spoon on.

Can he eat chili? Beans, meat, tomato sauce and seasoning? I use Williams chili seasoning as it is only the spices. You can keep chili in the freezer and other kids could add cheese and chips.

I found so many kids didn't like foods that it was easier to have them over after lunch! My 20 yr old, when he is home from college, will eat at home and meet up with friends after they eat because he doesn't like what they like to eat.

Edited to add: When I first read this, I thought " how odd. An 8 year old chewing on toys". . Then I see my hub putting up garage shelves with the extra screws in his mouth so he doesn't have to climb up and down! So now I get it! It's a place to put them when your hands are full

[emsimms]

You don't need to serve his friend pre- made gluten-free food. Why not make tacos or nachos? Cheese and fruit? Don't have the kids over until after lunch? Snacks are easier - cut up apples and melt Kraft Carmel's with a little water and pour over the apple slices. Popcorn. homemade Chex mix. PB on celery or apples.

Oh, forgot to mention that he should also not have any sugar (We are not able to comply 100% to this one, though. ), absolutely no additives/artificial coloring, nuts (except almonds).

Potato chips seemed OK for a while but then he reacted to those as well. (Likely there was some sunflower oil in there.) For now we'll stick to homemade cookies...

Thank you so much!

 

Thanks again!

[shadowicewolf]

Oh, forgot to mention that he should also not have any sugar (We are not able to comply 100% to this one, though. ), absolutely no additives/artificial coloring, nuts (except almonds).

Potato chips seemed OK for a while but then he reacted to those as well. (Likely there was some sunflower oil in there.) For now we'll stick to homemade cookies...

Thank you so much!

 

Thanks again!

you can make your own chips if that is the issue.

 

No sugar? Added (such as table sugar) or natural (like what is found in fruit)? I agree fruit would probably be the best bet.

[tarnalberry]

Hello!

Sorry, I am fairly new to this and would like some advice, please.

 

My 8-year-old son has severe gluten intolerance as well as several other food intolerances (incl. egg and sesame, likely sulfites), some still unknown. We are still struggling with regular abdominal pains and can often not be sure if it is caused by gluten or another food.

 

Recently after a whooping 3 pain-free days he had a bad period of daily pains. I could not find anything different in his food but noticed that prior to the "bad days" we had his friends over whom I served chicken nuggets (with wheat and all). I am quite sure they did not wash their hands afterwards, although asked to do so.

 

Could the contamination from their hands on books and toys (stuffed animals, legos) be sufficient to cause these issues? My son does put toys as well as his fingers into his mouth sometimes.

Or am I overly anxious here?

 

Thanks for any feedback!

 

Yes, that could certainly have been the culprit.

 

For what it's worth, my daughter (who doesn't have to be gluten free) must wash her hands after eating anything with wheat before she comes in contact with me (the gluten intolerant one), or ... well, anything but her plate.  And I serve her and anyone who comes to my house completely gluten free foods.  No child or adult (outside of my husband, who gets to try all the failures too) has ever complained about it.