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

Home Ec/cooking In School

Juliebove

Recommended Posts

Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted

My daughter is not quite 9 so I don't have to worry about this for a while, but a movie she was watching last night got me to thinking about this. I know one of the upcoming grades at her school bakes bread towards the end of the year. I heard the teacher taking about it and comparing this year's loaves to prior years.

My daughter is not celiac but has an allergy to wheat, gluten and several other things like eggs and dairy. So touching a batch of regular bread dough would cause her to get a bad rash. And she really shouldn't be around some things when they are cooking. Like eggs, because egg particles float through the air when they are cooking.

What do you do when a kid has to take a cooking class? So far whenever she has had food related projects, I have volunteered to work with the kids with allergies, bringing in whatever suitable substitutes I can find, given their particular allergies. I don't know of any celiacs at her school but there are a ton of kids with food allergies.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cruelshoes Enthusiast
cruelshoes
Posted

That is a good question. When I was in high school, we had to decide on a dish to make and make up a grocery list for the teacher to shop for. I think that she and her team could choose a dish that would work with her intollerances/allergies and cook that. It wouldn't much help with her being in the room with other people cooking with things she was allergic to, though. Perhaps on cooking days she could get out of class and cook something at home with your supervision. the teacher could tell you the criteria and you could do the grading. Seems like the only safe way to handle it.

I was a cancer patient in high school. I was having heavy duty chemo and could not keep anything down. One of the grading criteria for the home ec class was that we had to make exactly the right amount of food for our team and not have any leftovers. I would do the best I could to choke down my share and immediately run and puke it all up. The instructor was not sympathetic. :wacko: Seems crazy now. Guess I felt like I had to "take one for the team".

Adelle Enthusiast
Adelle
Posted

It seems like she should be able to get out of that class all together. Or at least all days that involve food. It's a medical condition, well documented and all. So it seems sort of rediculous that'd she'd have to learn how to cook with food she will never touch or eat.

Phyllis28 Apprentice
Phyllis28
Posted

If the cooking class is optional I would suggest skipping it altogther. If the baking project is required you might suggest she be allowed to bake gluten free bread at home.

Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted
  • Author

Thanks! I don't know if such a class is required these days or not. When I was in school, we had to take either Home Ec or shop. We didn't get the choice of what we took. I really wanted to take shop since I already knew how to cook and sew, but alas, I had to take Home Ec. I remember the worst part of it for me was being forced to eat stuff I didn't like at all. Like baked Alaska. But we didn't know of my food allergies back then.

modiddly16 Enthusiast
modiddly16
Posted

Don't skip out on a class like that just because you're afraid the teacher won't work around you! My mom is a home ec teacher and she's always worked with children with allergies and things like that even before I was diagnosed...Many more people have celiac than we all realize, so the teacher might even know someone that does!! Learning how to cook gluten-free can only help people in the class too...This means that everyone in that class would become knowledgable on our issues, think about how positive that could be!! They can't force you to eat anything anymore and I promise if you do the research and talk to the teacher before hand it would be beneficial. Now, if the teacher says she can't help you *which is a crock* then by all means, opt out of the class...but I'd be suprised if this happens!

Karen B. Explorer
Karen B.
Posted

My Home Ec classes from junior high and high school have been of great help since my Celiac diagnosis, even though they were over 30 years ago. I had gotten away from preparing a lot of my own food and if not for those eary Home Ec classes, I would have had a bigger learning curve on gluten-free cooking.

If the teacher works with you, think of how valuable the experience for the other kids will be to help pick a dish they all can eat. I'd be surprised if you can assemble a class of kids nowadays that only has one kid with food issues. Probably, there'll be at least 2 or 3 others.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Phyllis28 Apprentice
Phyllis28
Posted
Don't skip out on a class like that just because you're afraid the teacher won't work around you! My mom is a home ec teacher and she's always worked with children with allergies and things like that even before I was diagnosed...Many more people have celiac than we all realize, so the teacher might even know someone that does!! Learning how to cook gluten-free can only help people in the class too...This means that everyone in that class would become knowledgable on our issues, think about how positive that could be!! They can't force you to eat anything anymore and I promise if you do the research and talk to the teacher before hand it would be beneficial. Now, if the teacher says she can't help you *which is a crock* then by all means, opt out of the class...but I'd be suprised if this happens!

You are correct the cooking class should not be skipped if the student is interested in the class. I only took one cooking class and that was in junior high school because I had to. The boys went to shop and the girls had cooking. I would have rather been in the shop class.

Karen B. Explorer
Karen B.
Posted
You are correct the cooking class should not be skipped if the student is interested in the class. I only took one cooking class and that was in junior high school because I had to. The boys went to shop and the girls had cooking. I would have rather been in the shop class.

They made girls take Home Ec back when I was in school too. guys took shop and they wouldn't let me in because they said my hair might get caught in the machinery. I offered to cut it -- still no. Finally, they did let me into drafting but I still had to take Home Ec. Now I'm glad they did. I've used much of the info they taught me and now think everyone should take Home Ec. Why shouldn't guys learn about nutrition, budgeting, food prep and such?

ryebaby0 Enthusiast
ryebaby0
Posted

My son's middle school has "Family and Consumer Sciences" class, which all 6th and 7th graders must take. This includes a cooking unit! We went in at the beginning of the school year, talked to the teacher, and made up some alternate choices. That year, the food unit concerned snacks and beverages, so he could have the smoothies they made, and most of the snacks were already gluten-free or easily substituted. The teacher gave him a shelf in a dedicated cupboard for all the kids with food issues. His ingredients were kept there, in airtight containers, under lock and key. Couldn't have gone better!

Last year, it was harder to substitute, but he helped (for example) make the spaghetti sauce, just didn't eat it on pasta. He brought corn tortillas when they made quesadillas. Again, he was given a dedicated work space. Since it was just going to be a problem, he did skip the two days they made bread from scratch, since he's pretty sensitive and airborne flour is hard to combat. But he was hardly the first child with a food issue these teachers had seen (and there turned out to be a celiac child in the grade behind him, too)

Nic Collaborator
Nic
Posted

I acutally went to school in the district my children attend now. Back when I was in Junior High it was mandatory that all students, both boys and girls, take home ec and wood shop during alternating marking periods. I have not thought of this yet as my celiac son is only entering first grade but it does make me worry now that it has been brought up. Unless things have changed since I went to school, the students worked in groups and created the food that the teacher told us to make. I remember making donuts. I am sure they are not going to make the whole group cook gluten free just for my son. Not only do I worry about him touching the food but also how will he feel when the whole class gets to eat what they've made and he cannot? Even if they add something in that is gluten free I am sure it won't be everyday. Great, something esle for me to dwell on, 5 years in advance <_< .

Nicole

ryebaby0 Enthusiast
ryebaby0
Posted

" Not only do I worry about him touching the food but also how will he feel when the whole class gets to eat what they've made and he cannot? Even if they add something in that is gluten free I am sure it won't be everyday. "

My son was dx only 3 years ago, in 4th grade. He also has some friends with food allergies from birth, and I want to reassure you that they really don't care about what the rest of the class is eating. By the time your son is in middle school, he'll be much more worried about his haircut, shoes, or grades to care about food IF you don't pity him between now and then :)

modiddly16 Enthusiast
modiddly16
Posted

Like I said in my previous post...Talk to the teacher, not the principal, not the school district, the teacher of the class. My mom (family and consumer science/home ec teacher extrodinarre) always works with children to make sure that everyone has something special to eat...if you're making pasta, she brought in rice pasta for her students, she's had 6 celiacs since I've been diagnosed. More people are willing to work with you than you think! Let's not rip the kids from the classes just yet...who knows...we could have the next Emeril gluten-free style growing up among us... :D

gfgypsyqueen Enthusiast
gfgypsyqueen
Posted

I hope your childs teacher might see the fun side of food allergies (I try :rolleyes: ) I really don't remember what foods we made in Home Ec, but it could turn into a great learning experience for the class. The class could have topics or discussions around cross contamination. They can make fun foods the kids would like to eat like homemade Twinkies and Ho-Ho's. Learn how to experiment, substitute, and see how close they get to the real thing. Making a favorite meal from a restaurant healthier.

Jodele Apprentice
Jodele
Posted

My oldest did this this year with her class mates. The dietition class at the college did a class on healthy eating and cooking with the 3rd grade class. They sent a letter out asking if there was any child with a food alergy or other problems. I talked to them and they made a gluten free pizza crust for her and turned out being a great experience for Emily. Most of the time you just need to talk with the person that is going to do the project and they will be willing to do what needs to be done. just give them all the info and if they have any quetions give them your number and have them call you. you could join in on the fun to make sure your child is ok.

Jodele

Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted
  • Author

Thanks! My daughter does like to cook.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,546
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    KimberlyAnne76
    Newest Member
    KimberlyAnne76
    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

    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
    • Jsingh
      Protein or fat?

      By Jsingh · Posted

      Hi,  I care for my seven year old daughter with Celiac. After watching her for months, I have figured out that she has problem with two kinds of fats- animal fat and cooking oils. It basically makes her intestine sore enough that she feels spasms when she is upset. It only happens on days when she has eaten more fat than her usual every day diet. (Her usual diet has chia seeds, flaxseeds, and avocado/ pumpkin seeds for fat and an occasional chicken breast.) I stopped using cooking oils last year, and when I reintroduced eggs and dairy, both of which I had held off for a few months thinking it was an issue of the protein like some Celiac patients habe mentioned to be the case, she has reacted in the same fashion as she does with excess fats. So now I wonder if her reaction to dairy and eggs is not really because of protein but fat.   I don't really have a question, just wondering if anyone finds this familiar and if it gets better with time.  Thank you. 
    • Chanda Richard
      High Cost of Gluten-Free Foods

      By Chanda Richard · Posted

      Hello, My name is Chanda and you are not the only one that gose through the same things. I have found that what's easiest for me is finding a few meals each week that last. I have such severe reactions to gluten that it shuts my entire body down. I struggle everyday with i can't eat enough it feels like, when I eat more I lose more weight. Make sure that you look at medication, vitamins and shampoo and conditioner also. They have different things that are less expensive at Walmart. 
    • petitojou
      Frequent nausea after gluten-free diet

      By petitojou · Posted

      Thank you so much! I saw some tips around the forum to make a food diary and now that I know that the community also struggles with corn, egg and soy, the puzzle pieces came together! Just yesterday I tried eating eggs and yes, he’s guilty and charged. Those there are my 3 combo nausea troublemakers. I’m going to adjust my diet ☺️ Also thank you for the information about MCAS! I’m from South America and little it’s talked about it in here. It’s honestly such a game changer now for treatment and recovery. I know I’m free from SIBO and Candida since I’ve been tested for it, but I’m still going to make a endoscopy to test for H. Pylori and Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Thank you again!! Have a blessed weekend 🤍
    • knitty kitty
      Unusual bright yellow but odourless discharge

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Yes, I, too, have osteoporosis from years of malabsorption, too.  Thiamine and magnesium are what keep the calcium in place in the bones.  If one is low in magnesium, boron, selenium, zinc, copper, and other trace minerals, ones bone heath can suffer.  We need more than just calcium and Vitamin D for strong bones.  Riboflavin B 2, Folate B 9 and Pyridoxine B 6 also contribute to bone formation and strength.   Have you had your thyroid checked?  The thyroid is important to bone health as well.  The thyroid uses lots of thiamine, so a poorly functioning thyroid will affect bone heath.  
×
×
  • 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.