Jump to content

  • 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):

Tips To Win Over A Toddler To gluten-free Diet

scadshutterbug

Recommended Posts

scadshutterbug Newbie
scadshutterbug
Posted

I just posted this in another section but then saw the parent section which this better fits. I apologize for the double post.

Hello. I'm new to the forum, however I have used it as a resource for about a year now as I have gone gluten free. I am now planning to take my children gluten-free as well because I see them experiencing the same symptoms as I did as a child. My concern is how in the world I will convince them that they can no longer have chicken nuggets at Mc D's or donuts at church... My 5 year old kind of understands and is open to the idea because she's ready to not have her tummy hurt everyday but I am scared of tackling this with my 2 year old. How does one go about helping a child adjust to a gluten-free diet when they are too young to really grasp the concept? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


elle's mom Contributor
elle's mom
Posted

I have found that every child is different. MY 5yo (well mine's 6) would be/is more difficult than my 2yo. I find that a 2yo doesn't question me as much as an older child.

Donuts at church were an issue for us, but we just said they aren't too healthy. Eating "HEALTHY" has been the focus for us, explaining that to them, they are actually getting it too, it it great......but we do buy gluten free donuts for a 'special occasion' sometimes, they're really good too! Anyway it just feels really good to be teaching kids healthy eating habits at a young age. We've focused on getting them to eat more chicken, fish, rice, and veggies. Just experiment with fun ways to present the food is what has worked wonders for us.

Same thing for McD's too though.....we tell them it's not too healthy. We avoid it in general now. Try not to drive by, or distract them if you see those arches on the horizon. They'll quit asking for it eventually. Tell them you can make healthy chicken nuggets at home! We used to do double cheeseburger plain no bun, but I've recently learned that the new Angus burger seasoning contains gluten and is used directly on the grill so everything is contaminated. We recently traveled out of state and packed most of our food in a cooler. It seemed strange, but I felt good about it afterward.

Good luck on getting your family healthy!!

amysmom Newbie
amysmom
Posted

Just remember "out of sight - out of mind" He is only 2 and if he doesn't see it or hear about it, he will forget about it. At least until he is around other kids at school, etc. and hopefully by then he will be adjusted.

Amyleigh0007 Enthusiast
Amyleigh0007
Posted

My daughter is two and eats gluten free. We have no problems keeping her that way. She eats pretty much anything we give her. This is a great time to build healthy (gluten free) eating habits. Your two year old will never remember what a gluten filled doughnut tasted like so now is the time to change over.

We eat McDonald's french fries and shakes when we are craving McDonald's.

RiceGuy Collaborator
RiceGuy
Posted
My daughter is two and eats gluten free. We have no problems keeping her that way. She eats pretty much anything we give her. This is a great time to build healthy (gluten free) eating habits. Your two year old will never remember what a gluten filled doughnut tasted like so now is the time to change over.

We eat McDonald's french fries and shakes when we are craving McDonald's.

I agree that it should be easier at two years old, than it would be after they've grown to expect certain foods. I also think that even at two, a child can understand when you explain that certain foods will hurt them inside, and will make them sicker and sicker as they grow up. More importantly, we all know the expression "teach by example". When you eat gluten-free, they'll more easily follow.

BTW, McDonald's fries contain both wheat and dairy:

Open Original Shared Link

abbysmom Rookie
abbysmom
Posted

Try and find some Bell & Evans gluten-free Nuggets. My girls (4 yrs. & 20 months) absolutely love them. I know nuggets aren't the healthiest, but sometimes you just need some, know what I mean? :) We also love Chick-fil-A. We get the chargrilled filets and cut them into strips to dip into sauce. Makes them feel "normal" because they have something they can dip. Not to mention the fries are awesome! I found that just giving it time (my daughter was 3) and having her realize how much better she feels is what helped the most.

Amyleigh0007 Enthusiast
Amyleigh0007
Posted
I agree that it should be easier at two years old, than it would be after they've grown to expect certain foods. I also think that even at two, a child can understand when you explain that certain foods will hurt them inside, and will make them sicker and sicker as they grow up. More importantly, we all know the expression "teach by example". When you eat gluten-free, they'll more easily follow.

BTW, McDonald's fries contain both wheat and dairy:

Open Original Shared Link

Search this forum for the specifics. McDonald's fries have been a hot topic for a long time but the end result is gluten free.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

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

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

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,057
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    Marilce
    Newest Member
    Marilce
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.7k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • xxnonamexx
      1 Year Elimination Diet journey

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      I checked consumer labs that I'm a member of they independently check products for safely and claims the wolfs was rated great and bobs redmill buckwheat cereal. Ultra low gotten no dangerous levels of arsenic heavy metals, mold, yeast etc. plus they mention to refrigerate. I wonder if the raw buckwheat they rinse bc it's not toasted like kasha. Toasted removes the grassy taste I have to try the one you mentioned. I also bought Qia which is a quinoa mixed got great reviews. 
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      1 Year Elimination Diet journey

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      makes sense. sometimes you learn one path and never question it until you see someone take a different path
    • xxnonamexx
      1 Year Elimination Diet journey

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      Interesting I read that toasted kasha groats have nutty flavor which I thought like oatmeal with banana and yogurt. Yes quinoa I have for dinner looking to switch oatmeal to buckwheat for breakfast. I have to look into amaranth 
    • Aretaeus Cappadocia
      1 Year Elimination Diet journey

      By Aretaeus Cappadocia · Posted

      I've never tried bananas or yogurt with kasha. It would probably work but in my mind I think of kasha as being on the savory side so I always add butter, peanut butter, or shredded cheddar cheese. Next time I make it I will try yogurt and banana to see for myself. Amaranth has a touch of sweet and I like to pair it with fruit. Quinoa is more neutral. I eat it plain, like rice, with chicken stock or other savory things, or with coconut milk. Since coconut milk works, I would think yogurt would work (with the quinoa). I went to the link you posted. I really don't know why they rinse the kasha. I've eaten it for decades and never rinsed it. Other than that, her recipe seems fine (that is, add the buckwheat with the water, rather than wait until the water is boiling). She does say something that I forgot: you want to get roasted/toasted buckwheat or you will need to toast it yourself. I've never tried buckwheat flakes. One potential issue with flakes is that there are more processing steps and as a rule of thumb, every processing step is another opportunity for cross-contamination. I have tried something that was a finer grind of the buckwheat than the whole/coarse and I didn't like it as much. But, maybe that was simply because it wasn't "normal" to me, I don't know.
    • xxnonamexx
      1 Year Elimination Diet journey

      By xxnonamexx · Posted

      The basic seems more like oatmeal. You can also add yogurt banana to it like oatmeal right. I see rinsing as first step in basic recipes like this one https://busycooks.com/how-to-cook-toasted-buckwheat-groats-kasha/ I don't understand why since kasha is toasted and not raw. What about buckwheat flake cereal or is this better to go with. 
×
×
  • Create New...