Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Gluten-free Crackers


Guest mesasmom

Recommended Posts

Guest mesasmom

Hi! I have a 17mos old son who is going through the testing/diagnosis process right now. Actually have an EGD scheduled for Friday (am still terrified and torn whether it is truly necessary). I have been able to find suitable substitutes for most of his foods but I have 3 other children ages 2 1/2, 4 and 6 who eat various types of crackers (graham, saltine, goldfish, ritz) for snacks and my youngest gets really upset when I try giving him the rice crackers I found for him. Since after Friday he will be gluten free probably for the rest of his life, I am wondering if anyone can suggest a brand or type of cracker that would be comparable to what his siblings eat?? I know that he can have Fritos and potato chips but I would like to find something a little healthier for an everyday snack. So far he just throws rice cakes at me. He also has a milk allergy as well which makes things more difficult. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Amanda


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



jnifred Explorer

You will have to make them yourself, but they are the BEST crackers I have tried so far, even my nonceliac friends request them.

Use the Chebe mixes, any of them work for this, and they even ahve a cinnamon flavor that tastes a lot like cinnamon graham crackers. Anyway, follow the directions on the package and roll it out VERY thin and bake until crispy, then break into pcs. Takes a half hour and they are delicious with dips, cream cheese, by themselves etc..etc....

Good luck, I can't imagine how difficult it will be keeping a toddler out of food!!!

Carriefaith Enthusiast

EnviroKidz have vanilla flavoured animal crackers that are gluten free. Here is a link:Open Original Shared Link Just scroll down a bit to see the animal crackers and then click on the vanilla box. The vanilla ones appear to be gluten and dairy free. I haven't had the crackers, but their berry crispy rice bars are really good.

mrsnj91 Explorer

I was told I would never find a "normal" cracker for my 1yr. old. I did!! Glutino Gluten Free Crackers are just like a Ritz style. Perhaps a little firmer than an actual Ritz but they are really good. I was so happy to find something very, very close!! I found them on the Gluten Free Pantry site. Awesome!

And I tried the cookies the PP mentioned above and she loved them!! :D

GlutenFreeAl Contributor

The Envirokids animal crackers are AWESOME.

The EnerG crackers are pretty good too. Kind of like a Saltine, only a bit heavier.

Good luck!!!

Nic Collaborator

The envirokids animal cookies are good but they also make very good cereal bars. They are similar to a rice krispy treat. So far I have found them in chocolate, peanut butter, and berry. My son likes all three and his non celiac brother and cousins fight over them too.

WGibs Apprentice

I also love the envirokidz animal cookies, but they are pretty sweet...sweeter than traditional animal crackers I'm sure your kid will love them, but you might not want to be handing out that much sugar.

Another idea that might help, and I think it's what I would do if I had kids, is transition them all over to a gluten-free snack. Maybe mini flavored rice cakes (lots of different brands and flavors, so look around to find one that's gluten-free/DF that the kids like) or Nature's Valley rice or corn crunch'ems cereal or EnerG pretzels (not sure about dairy content) or some of the suggestions from other posters. I bet the youngest wouldn't be so resistant if he were just getting what everyone else got, and it wouldn't hurt the non-celiac kids to have a gluten-free snack. I find that even for me, I don't mind eating the food I should eat...the only time it's hard is when people around me are eating things I would like to eat.

Oh! Another idea...biscotti! Also sweet, but it would take him alot longer to gnaw on than animal cookies. The brand I get (Pamela's -- chocolate walnut) does list butter in the ingredients, but I bet you could find or make dairy free ones. Like these: Open Original Shared Link I've never had them, but I like that you can order ends and pieces for cheaper, and they have alot of different flavors.

Good luck. I am in awe of those of you who handle this diet for a little one.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



mrsnj91 Explorer

My daughter so far has also had some cereals that are gluten free and Enjoy Life Snickerdoodles. She LOVE them! I also have tried the pretzels. She will eat the rice cakes though. I get the Quacker snack ones with cheese or apple cinn. and she will eat them.

Nic Collaborator
I also love the envirokidz animal cookies, but they are pretty sweet...sweeter than traditional animal crackers I'm sure your kid will love them, but you might not want to be handing out that much sugar.

Another idea that might help, and I think it's what I would do if I had kids, is transition them all over to a gluten-free snack. Maybe mini flavored rice cakes (lots of different brands and flavors, so look around to find one that's gluten-free/DF that the kids like) or Nature's Valley rice or corn crunch'ems cereal or EnerG pretzels (not sure about dairy content) or some of the suggestions from other posters. I bet the youngest wouldn't be so resistant if he were just getting what everyone else got, and it wouldn't hurt the non-celiac kids to have a gluten-free snack. I find that even for me, I don't mind eating the food I should eat...the only time it's hard is when people around me are eating things I would like to eat.

Oh! Another idea...biscotti! Also sweet, but it would take him alot longer to gnaw on than animal cookies. The brand I get (Pamela's -- chocolate walnut) does list butter in the ingredients, but I bet you could find or make dairy free ones. Like these: Open Original Shared Link I've never had them, but I like that you can order ends and pieces for cheaper, and they have alot of different flavors.

Good luck. I am in awe of those of you who handle this diet for a little one.

Just a question, what is biscotti? I have seen gluten-free recipes for it but I have not tried it because I do not know what it is. Would a child like it or is it more of an adult taste?

Nicole

penguin Community Regular
Just a question, what is biscotti? I have seen gluten-free recipes for it but I have not tried it because I do not know what it is. Would a child like it or is it more of an adult taste?

Nicole

Biscotti is an extremely crunchy, mildly sweet cookie from Italy that is traditionally dunked in coffee. That's why it's so crunchy, in fact, so it can stand up to the coffee. I've seen it given to toddlers like a holland rusk so that they can kind of munch on it slowly. As long as you get biscotti in smaller pieces, they should like it. :D

jerseyangel Proficient

Yes, and it literally means "twice baked". The dough is traditionaly baked in a log shape first. Then it is sliced and baked again until crunchy.

Smunkeemom Enthusiast

My girls eat the nut-thins with meat and cheese (kinda like lunchables) and then the Ener-G crackers either plain or with peanut butter.

I use the Ener-G in cooking too and they work fine for meatloafs and also like in soups and chili. They are unsalted though.

TCA Contributor

At target I found some sesame rice crackers that are really good. Sesmark is the brand. The original are gluten free and taste great. They remind me of Sesame Tosteds, which I loved. I called and they are not processed in a dedicated facility, but they are on dedicated lines. I haven't had any trouble with them.

penguin Community Regular

I'm in love with the Blue Diamond Nut Thins, the almond original and the almond ranch. I haven't tried the others because I'm allergic to pecans.

And rice cakes are awesome and I hope I don't get tired of them :P

lonewolf Collaborator

I second the motion to have gluten-free snacks for all your kids. Mine are older (9-14), but adapted well to gluten-free snacks. I'm slowly trying to get them all gluten-free. Only one is gluten-free right now - the others only eat gluten in bread for sandwiches. We all like the Ener-G pretzels and crackers, Mi-Del animal crackers, sesame rice crackers from Trader Joe's, popcorn, "chex" mix from gluten-free cereal and the Envirokidz cereal bars. It's more expensive, but it's worth it - and it might make your little one a lot more cooperative if everyone is eating the same thing.

prinsessa Contributor

There are some really good rice crackers that are gluten-free. I bought them a couple times before I ever though any of us had Celiac because I like the way they taste. DS (who is 2) really liked them too. I don't remember the name of them though....sorry. I bought them at Whole Foods.

tarnalberry Community Regular

make flax crackers. you can flavor them in different ways, and they're quite healthy and tasty!

Dietcokehead Rookie

Mi-Del has animal crackers and other "kid-type" products that are really good.

My son loves sesame rice crackers, they taste salty like a chip!

Braunson's-mom Rookie

Hi I know just what it is like. I have a 2 yr old that is grf and 4 other children that are not but from experience it does get better. He has been gluten-free since Feb 1, 2004. He goes to a play group for speech theropy 2 times a month and they feed snack there and if he gets something a little different it doesn't matter to him. But as far as snacks go I was givin a gluten-free graham cracker recipe and it is pretty easy to make but does take a little time about 45 min for start to finish. I don't have time to type it all in today but if you will email me I will send it to you at the beginning of next week.

I also agree with the others the enviro kids cookies are really good. We also find a energ cracker that taste like a saltine and aren't to expencive. Good luck once your son starts to feel better he will not want all the glutten poison in his system. Braunson amazes a lot of people in the way he handles himself on the diet.

water-nymph Newbie

I'll give another recommendation to the Sesmark brand of rice crackers. Delish.

Also, Orgran brand crispbread is AMAZING. They're imported from Australia, but if you can find them...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,858
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Janet1234
    Newest Member
    Janet1234
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Rogol72
      Some interesting articles regarding the use of Zinc Carnosine to help heal gastric ulcers, gastritis and intestinal permeability. I would consult a medical professional about it's use. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncpgasthep0778 https://www.rupahealth.com/post/clinical-applications-of-zinc-carnosine---evidence-review https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7146259/ https://www.fallbrookmedicalcenter.com/zinc-l-carnosine-benefits-dosage-and-safety/
    • Jillian83
      He is. Which makes everything even more difficult. I’m not a believer in “staying for the kids” but I have nowhere to go and it’s not just me, it’s me plus my babies. We live in a beautiful place, lots of land in the country and me and the kids love the place we’ve called home for their entire lives. But Im seeing that he’ll never change, that my kids deserve a happy healthy Momma, and that staying in this as is will be the early death of me. Then I look at the scars covering my entire body…this disease and the chronic stress I’ve been enduring for years that tell me I’m no longer beautiful and no one will ever look at me with interest again. I try self care, try to give myself grace so I can just start loving myself enough to gain strength but the slightest sparkle in my eye and skip in my step attracts his wrath and it all comes crashing ten fold. Life is just absolutely railing me from every single direction leaving me wanting to wave that white flag bc I don’t feel like there’s much hope no matter what happens. 
    • trents
    • Jillian83
      Hi, I was recently diagnosed with Celiac and dermatitis herpetiformis after years of suffering without answers. I lost my mind. I lost my job. I lost so much time. I lost Me. Conventional doctors are opulent come near me and the one who did sat across the room, misdiagnosed me, pumped me full of steroids which collapsed my entire hip for 6 months. So without answers I began my holistic journey. Fast forward a couple of years and still struggling with a mysterious whole body itchy, crawling “skin hell”, perfect teeth now deteriorating, thick hair now thinning rapidly and no more than a day or 2 at most relief….An acquaintance opened up a functional medicine practice. Cash only, I found a way. Within a month tests clearly showing my off the charts gluten allergy/sensitivity as well as the depletion of vital nutrients due to leaky gut and intestinal damage. dermatitis herpetiformis was more than likely what I was experiencing with my skin. I was happy. I thought this is easy, eat healthy Whole Foods, follow the diet restrictions and I finally get to heal and feel confident and like myself again very soon! 😔 Supplements are very pricey but I got them and began my healing. Which leads to the other major issue: not working, stay at home Mom of young kids, entirely financially dependent on my man of 7 plus years. He’s never been supportive of anything I’ve ever done or been thru. He controls everything. I’m not given much money ever at a time and when he does leave money it’s only enough to possibly get gas. His excuse is that I’ll spend it on other things. So my “allowance” is inconsistent and has conditions. He withholds money from me as punishment for anything he wants. Since being diagnosed, he’s gained a new control tactic to use as punishment. He now is in control of when I get to eat. He asked for proof of my diagnosis and diet bc he said I made it up just to be able to eat expensive organic foods. Then after I sent him my file from my doctor he then said she wasn’t a real doctor. 😡. I go days upon days starving, sometimes breaking down and eating things I shouldn’t bc I’m so sick then I pay horribly while he gets annoyed and angry bc I’m not keeping up with all the duties I’m supposed to be doing. His abuse turns full on when I’m down and it’s in these desperate times when I need his support and care the most that I’m punished with silence, being starved, ignored, belittled. He will create more of a mess just bc I’m unable to get up and clean so that when I am better, I’m so overwhelmed with chores to catch up that the stress causes me to go right back into a flare from hell and the cycle repeats. I’m punished for being sick. I’m belittled for starving and asking for healthy clean water. I’m purposely left out of his life. He won’t even tell me he’s going to the grocery or to get dinner bc he doesn’t want me to ask him for anything. I have no one. I have nothing. Im not better. My supplements ran out and I desperately need Vitamin D3 and a methylated B complex at the very minimal just to function….he stares at me blankly…no, a slight smirk, no words. He’s happiest when im miserable and I am miserable.  this is so long and im condensing as much as I can but this situation is so complicated and disgusting. And it’s currently my life. The “IT” girl, the healthy, beautiful, perfect skin, perfect teeth, thick and curly locks for days, creative and talented IT girl….now I won’t even leave this house bc Im ashamed of what this has dont to my body, my skin. Im disgusted. The stress is keeping me from healing and I think he knows that and that’s why he continues to keep me in that state. He doesn’t want me confident or successful. He doesn’t want me healed and healthy bc then how would he put the blame of all his problems on me? This journey has been hell and I’ve been in Hell before. I’ve been killed by an ex, I’ve been raped, robbed, held hostage, abused beyond nightmares but the cruelty I’ve experienced from him bc of this disease is the coldest I’ve ever experienced. I’ve wanted to give up. Starving and in tears, desperate…I found a local food pantry in our small town so I reached out just saying I had Celiac and was on hard times. This woman is blessing me daily with prepared gluten free meals, donations, educational info, people who know this disease and how they manage life and the blessings just keep coming. But it’s overwhelming and I feel like I don’t deserve it at all. He just glared and I know he’s going to sabotage it somehow. I don’t even know what to do anymore. I’m so broken and just want peace and healing. 
    • cristiana
      @Colleen H   I am just curious,  when you were tested for coeliac disease, did the doctors find out if you had any deficiencies? Sometimes muscle pain can be caused by certain deficiencies, for example, magnesium, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.   Might be worth looking into having some more tests.  Pins and needles can be neuropathy, again caused by deficiencies, such as iron and B12,  which can be reversed if these deficiencies are addressed. In the UK where I live we are usually only tested for iron, B12 and vitamin D deficiencies at diagnosis.   I was very iron anemic and supplementation made a big difference.  B12 was low normal, but in other countries the UK's low normal would be considered a deficiency.  My vitamin D was low normal, and I've been supplementing ever since (when I remember to take it!) My pins and needles definitely started to improve when my known deficiencies were addressed.  My nutritionist also gave me a broad spectrum supplement which really helped, because I suspect I wasn't just deficient in what I mention above but in many other vitamins and minerals.  But a word of warning, don't take iron unless blood tests reveal you actually need it, and if you are taking it your levels must be regularly monitored because too much can make you ill.  (And if you are currently taking iron, that might actually be making your stomach sore - it did mine, so my GP changed my iron supplementation to a gentler form, ferrous gluconate). Lastly, have you been trying to take anything to lessen the pain in your gut?  I get a sore stomach periodically, usually when I've had too much rich food, or when I have had to take an aspirin or certain antibiotics, or after glutening.  When this happens, I take for just a few days a small daily dose of OTC omeprazole.  I also follow a reflux or gastritis diet. There are lots online but the common denominators to these diets is you need to cut out caffeine, alcohol, rich, spicy, acidic food etc and eat small regularly spaced meals.   When I get a sore stomach, I also find it helpful to drink lots of water.  I also find hot water with a few slices of ginger very soothing to sip, or camomile tea.  A wedge pillow at night is good for reflux. Also,  best not to eat a meal 2-3 hours before going to bed. If the stomach pain is getting worse, though, it would be wise to see the doctor again. I hope some of this helps. Cristiana    
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.