Need To Find Gluten, And Milk Free Protien Drink

[kellybhill]

HI, I am new to this site and really need some help. I have twin three year old celiac sons. They also are very allergic to milk and other food and are autisic also. We are battling so many things. What I am looking for is for a protein shake that is gluten free and milk free. My sons do not eat meat ( problems with the autism) and now their body is breaking down their muscle bec they do not have enough protein. I need help please. If anyone has any advice for me please let me know.

[HAK1031]

While I can't help you on a specific drink, I can give you Gluten-free Casein-free vegetarian protein sources. I would also recommend not going too heavy on the soy because that can cause intolerances as well.

Some ideas:

-black beans, I pack these in lunches and bring corn chips to dip. They are good with different spices.

-hummus/chick peas

-nuts/nut butter

-seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, etc.)

-Quinoa (it's a gluten-free grain that's a little bit like rice, and it's got something like 7g protein per serving)

I know you can also get protein powder that's Gluten-free Casein-free so you can make your own fruit smoothies. These are an easy, yummy breakfast- just keep cut-up fruit in the freezer, add some non-dairy milk and protein powder, and you're good to go!

[Mango04]

I second the meat-free protein suggestions.

Also, can they eat eggs? Jay Robb makes a good egg white protein mix. It's tasty mixed with rice milk and banana.

Hemp is a good source of protein as well. You can find hemp protein powder at the health food store. Hemp milk is also available.

Quinoa is a complete protein that you might want to consider. Lentils with brown rice is a good complete protein (I'm not sure what you could ad to it to make it three-year old friendly, but there must be something).

Do you bake with almond meal (if they can have almond)? That would be a good way to add protein to things too. You can also add flax meal to things for added nutrition and protein. You can bake muffins with nuts, fruit, flax and some bean flour too.

Do they eat plenty of whole, natural foods, or is it just hard to find things since they are so allergic? Sorry you are having a rough time. Hope you find something that works.

[gfpaperdoll]

I think kids with autism have a problem with the texture of foods. how about boiling some chicken then pureeing it in the blender with some chicken broth. Cook some veggies in the broth like carrots, broccoli etc. & puree the whole thing. Add the chicken puree to the veggie puree & pour through a large tea strainer. This makes the most delicious "ceamed" soup. Don't put potatoes in it & you can freeze it. They could use it for a dipping sauce, or you can hide it in spaghetti sauce, or just eat as a creamed soup - maybe sprinkle with something if they like a crunch feel... - get that book that Ginny McCarthy (I think that is her name) has out about pureeing veggies & adding them to things.

can they eat nuts? I second the thought of using the almond meal, that stuff is great. You could list their food allergies. Maybe we can help a little more. We are used to food allergies. I have a ton myself...

How long have they been gluten-free? I think that some kids food habits change after they go gluten-free. Are you letting them have a lot of the replacement gluten-free bread things? Have you contacted your local celiac support group?