Newly Diagnosed-- Any Advice Appreciated!

[LoriNC]

Hi

Our daughter Olivia (6 yrs old) was just diagnosed with Celiac and we are in the beginning and overwhelming stages of the gluten-free diet. Any advice for us from you experienced gluten-free shoppers, lunch makers, tear dryers, etc?? Anything you would tell us to do or not do? buy or not buy?

Also, we had to switch her vitamins and have tried dinosaur shaped ones that are gluten free. She really doesn't like them. Any suggestions for a gluten-free multi-vitamin kids actually like?

Thank you so much!

Lori

[dandelionmom]

My daughters (7 and 4) really like the book Eating Gluten-free With Emily. Our favorite brands of kid friendly gluten-free stuff:

pancake mix- pamela's

cupcake mix- pamela's

cereal- Dora Stars

bread, bagels, and donuts- kinnikinnick (bread must be toasted)

cookies- ktoos (just like oreos)

pretzels and crackers- glutino

Some of the gluten-free stuff out there is very expensive and not very good. When I'm in doubt, I check here before buying it!

[Lisa]

Hi Lori and welcome:

Here is a list of companies who will clearly list gluten (wheat, barley, rye, malt). It will be a great help while shopping.

Open Original Shared Link

[mmcdaniels]

Lori,

I will get easier. My son is 8 and has been gluten free for almost 2 months. We still have a lot of learning to do but are getting some things figured out.

These aren't the most well rounded choices but my son's not good with his fruits & veggies and here are some things we have liked:

The Chebe pizza crust mix is expensive but quite tasty.

Annie's makes an Gluten-Free mac & cheese that both my kids really like. (sort of like Kraft mac & cheese)

Our school lunches have been simplified by the fact that my son is in special ed & his teacher warms leftovers for his lunches in the microwave in the classroom.

Josh really like the gluten-free panty chocolate chip cookies.

Pamela's chocolate cake mix was great.

We liked the Glutino pancake mix (but I wouldn't recommend their breakfast bars).

Trix, Fruity Pebbles, & Cocoa pebbles should all be okay although I've heard to check each box of Trix as their formula has changed a few times.

There are several legal junk food options like plain Lays or Ruffles potato chips or Lays Staxx and many popcorns.

Our Kroger's carries "Allergy Free Foods" chicken nuggets which was Josh's main dietary staple.

The cheap "Carl Buddig" lunch meats are all labeled gluten-free.

Many products at Walmart (juice, dairy, etc) are labeled gluten-free.

I hope that helps a bit.

Marsha