Juice Boxes & Rice Milk Boxes

[Kasey'sMom]

As many of you are doing, we're getting ready for preschool. I plan on having a box of gluten-free snacks that I can leave at the school. Are there any gluten-free juice boxes and gluten-free rice milk boxes, that are snack size? We don't drink much juice at home so I new to gluten-free juices. On a daily basis I'm sure I can just put water in her thermos etc. What do you folks do to help make lunch boxes safe, healthy & fun?

Thanks!!!

[gf4life]

I am getting my information from this list, the juice list starts on page 9:

Open Original Shared Link

Capri-Sun juice pouches are gluten-free. They also have the new Fruit Waves that are all juice not flavored sugar water that is only 5% juice!

I know a lot of parents don't like these because the smaller kids tend to squeeze the bag and accidently squirt juice out the straw, but I found a really fun solution to this. I took an empty frosting can (like the Pillsbury or Duncan Hines ready made frostings) and let the kids decorate the outside with markers, stickers, etc. Then you just place the juice pouch in their own personalise carrier and no spills! It is the perfect size for the pouch and they can't squeeze the juice out accidently.

Juicy-Juice is gluten-free also, all flavors. It is supposed to be 100% juice.

Treetop apple juice is gluten-free and comes in small 4 oz cans.

Motts apple juice is gluten-free also.

Sunny-D is gluten-free and comes in small serving sizes.

Apple & Eve juice boxes are gluten-free.

R.W. Knudsen juice from concentrate, bottles, cans and boxes are gluten-free. The flavors listed are:

Apple, Papaya, Apple Banana, Apple Apricot, Black Cherry, Just Cranberry, Concord Grape, Pomegranite, Gravenstine, Just Concord, Prune Pear, Tomato, Cranberry, Grapefruit, Sparkling Crisp Apple Cider, and Sparkling Organic Grape.

Actually there are alot of juice options. Becareful with Tropicana OJ, a lot of their juices have gluten in them according to the company. Only there 100% OJ, not from concentrate is safe.

You can also get small juice box size rubbermaid containers and send any flavored juice in that. It is cheaper than buying the boxes or pouches, but not as fun for the kids.

God bless,

Mariann

[Kasey'sMom]

Thanks Mariann! I'm glad to know that their are lots of juices to chose from. I just love the frosting container idea......you're so inventive! I like to dilute my daughter's juice when we're at home with water and the rubbermade boxes would be perfect. These boxes would be great for the rice milk also. I've only seem the "NO NO" Rice Dream in the boxes.

Thanks so much for the information. I'm stressing less.....

[Merika]

Hi

Definitely gluten-free are the little water bottles. This is my 3 yr old's preferred drink when out of the house. And none of that nasty sugar....

Merika

[Kasey'sMom]

You're right...when I started looking a little closer, I was shocked. I had now idea that 8 oz. of juice had 23 grams of sugar. My dd had some jucie one day last week and she had a rash on her face. I'm starting to wonder if she isn't sensitive to citric acid.

[connole1056]

Many stores carry plastic juice box holders that prevent the box from being squeezed and the juice spilling. They are not available for the small juice boxes though. I have found they are great for the younger kids. However, the child does need to learn eventually, and trial and error is eliminated if the juice is never spilled!!!

[Jnkmnky]

They make small water bottles now. I think Arrowhead makes some. We drink very little juice around here because it's full of sugars that add calories and damage the teeth.

I usually put other things that damage teeth into my son's snack lunch box.

small bags of M&Ms

smarties

gluten free puddings *(for class birthday and parties only, I tell them)

some plastic spoons for the puddings

Tootsie rolls

stickers

Junk in general

You can play this up and build self esteem for your child. Being different can be totally cool if you play it right. My son thinks it's great that he gets to carefully choose his treat when allowed. The only thing that I ever got mad about was this year, his box was empty and the teacher didn't let me know. So he didn't get a snack for a class party. Thankfully, he's so confident it didn't upset him. But I told her I didn't like having his celiac interfere in a negative way and that maintaining his ability to participate was essential to keeping up his positive attitude regarding his LIFELONG diet. She agreed.

[Kasey'sMom]

These are great ideas. I think you're doing a great job at approaching the diet in a positive way. I've really worried about not putting a negative spin on things. I have stopped freaking out if we have a food accident and this has helped us both. The water bottles are a great idea. We're hoping to meet with the director soon so we can work out the details.

Speaking of junk.....I found some gummy bears from "Let's Do Organic" that I thought my be fun treats.

Thanks so much!