As a parent of a coeliac child, I have a duty not only to ensure my Little Coeliac’s diet is free of gluten at all times, but also to arm her with the life skills she needs to navigate her way safely into adulthood. So it’s never too early to get started on the important food lessons of life. Here are my top 5:
1. They have to ask “is it gluten-free?”
Well, I’ve said it before. To an adult, having a little kid quiz you about the gluten content of food can come as a bit of a shock, but it’s the most important question for a gluten-free child to ask. Encourage them to ask at every opportunity, even for food that’s served at home. It should become a habit for life.
2. Their food has to look different
It’s harder for an adult to accept this than a gluten-free child. Even though we want our kids to have the same experiences as other children and we don’t want them to miss out on anything, our gluten-free children must be able to identify safe food. And we parents must be able to identify it too.
We once attended a birthday party where the gluten-free cake looked exactly the same as the gluten birthday cake. We couldn’t identify which was which and the upshot was that my Little Coeliac copped a hefty dose of gluten. Whilst it was a lovely gesture, we could have avoided the whole situation if the gluten-free cake could have been identified. Lesson learned!
3. If their food is somehow physically separate from all the other food, it is more likely to be safe
My Little Coeliac has her own lunchbox especially for birthday parties. It is never put on the food table at parties and functions, but rather in a separate space somewhere near the food table. This helps to prevent other people putting food in her lunchbox, and also other kids helping themselves to her food (this is particularly troublesome if there aren’t any other gluten-free options – once the food is gone, I may not be able to replace it with anything!).
If someone I trust has provided some gluten-free food for my Little Coeliac, I put some of that food in her lunchbox as well. The important message is that the lunchbox is safe. Putting the food in her lunchbox prevents her from getting confused at the food table (and that has happened to us as well – another lesson learned the hard way) and also limits any risk of cross-contamination from gluten-containing food.
4. They have to learn how to read ingredient lists so that they can identify gluten-free food on their own
This will take years. My coeliac niece and nephew, both now in their early 20s, are brilliantly versed in gluten-free foods thanks to the consistent and inclusive efforts of my sister-in-law, spanning over more than a decade. They are now both totally independent and can do everything themselves – cooking, shopping, eating out, travelling, leaving home, and so on. They are a model for every gluten-free child.
Of course, I don’t expect my Little Coeliac, who is six years old, to be reading ingredient lists anytime soon, but now that she has learned to read, she is able to identify the words “gluten-free” wherever we go. It’s a good start. When our gluten-free children start reading, it is one of the first phrases they should learn how to identify.
Dana Schwartz, founder and author of the lovely blog celiac kiddo, gives the example of her four-year-old daughter reminding her to check food labels, which is a brilliant early step on the path to independence.
5. They have to know the impact that gluten has on their bodies
As my Little Coeliac was diagnosed at age 4 and a half, she still remembers how sick she was before she went gluten-free. And occasionally when we slip and gluten makes its way in, her discomfort reminds her (and me) why it’s so bad for her.
This memory is really important to keep her on the straight and narrow – to ensure she remains happy to be gluten-free. And I must say that she is an absolute trooper – she continues to embrace her gluten-free lifestyle and thrives because of it.
It’s also important because there are plenty of adults out there who don’t understand the nature of the intolerance. They think that if there’s no anaphylactic reaction, then a bit of gluten won’t hurt. My Little Coeliac knows it will hurt and she’s learning how to verbalise exactly how it will hurt her. Many times I’ve had to explain to restaurant staff that it’s an autoimmune disease and so must be treated seriously. These days we don’t eat out much!
Do you have any other life skills that you’d like to add? Please comment!
booksaremyfavouriteandbest says
Great tip re: making food look different.
Di says
Great list off rules for life. MLC could be an abreviation!
Dana @ Celiac Kiddo says
Wonderful list! Thanks so much for including my daughter’s reminders to me to always read labels 🙂 At age 5 (just had a birthday) I try to point out the words “gluten free” so she begins to recognize them, even though she can’t read yet.
I love the idea of the safe lunch box for parties. I often end up putting my GF stash in a plastic bag out of reach from prying hands, but next time I’ll bring her lunch box. Makes perfect sense.
-Dana
glutenfreeforlunchboxes says
Thanks so much for your contribution. Glad you found it useful!
alwaysamum says
My coeliac son is 16 years old (diagnosed at 15) and like you I really found a gap in the literature and understanding about how a Coeliac Disease diagnosis affects a child / teenager. We found the dietitian useless and he didn’t even try to connect with my son on his level. Gluten Free is really a journey for parent and child to travel and your son or daughter has to grow up that little bit quicker as they learn to keep themselves gluten free.
Many people say, I know so and so who is coeliac and they don’t have any trouble. Always well meaning, but the friend is adult and adult coeliacs have different agendas and their lives a not as complicated as a child who has to eat gf in a school environment and not be able to participate in a range of school activities centred on food.
I say, Mums unite and help each other with all the gluten free short cuts and recipes and tips.
Joanne
Townsville
Australia
glutenfreeforlunchboxes says
I agree! Thanks for your lovely comment and welcome! I hope you find this blog useful.
Kath says
I just found your blog! So happy. My son is not a celiac but rather gluten intolerant, although his reaction especially if gluten laden food is consumed often is quiet severe. And i find because he is not diagnosed as a celiac the response we often get when asking for gf is eye rolling, like we are just going along with a fad!
Gluten-free admin says
Thanks Kath, yes, that’s hard on you and him not being a Coeliac. Hope you find the blog useful and thanks for your comment!