| After your child is diagnosed with Celiac disease, | | | | Speak to each person directly or write a letter, |
| you and your family might feel like you'll never be | | | | with your child's photo on it. |
| able to socialize, travel or eat out normally ever | | | | It's important that everyone knows about your |
| again. As a parent, being responsible for keeping | | | | child's gluten-free diet, for various reasons. It's also |
| your child healthy and on a gluten-free diet is a | | | | important to make sure your child has bathroom |
| stressful thing at first. There are many T's to | | | | privileges as well, especially if they are in the initial |
| cross and I's to dot in terms of making sure your | | | | healing phase where potty problems still exist. |
| child avoids gluten. It is totally normal to feel | | | | Make sure your teacher lets them know that |
| overwhelmed at first, and to feel safer at home | | | | they can go to the bathroom whenever they |
| where you are in complete control. But over time | | | | want, instead of trying to "hold it" which may be |
| it gets easier. Really. With learning and experience, | | | | impossible for them. Last but not least, consider |
| families are able to go to restaurants, parties, | | | | purchasing extra copies of children's books about |
| travel - do pretty much anything. It is very | | | | Celiac disease, and donate them to your school's |
| important to be sensible about the whole thing | | | | library to increase awareness. And why not lend |
| and to let your child socialize normally. | | | | books to your child's teacher to read to the |
| The Gluten-Free (G-F) Diet: | | | | whole class, or visit the class and read it to them |
| After diagnosis, find the best way to help your | | | | yourself, along with other teaching tools. |
| child accept the fact that there are certain foods | | | | School birthday parties: |
| that he or she cannot eat. The book, "Mommy, | | | | Option 1: Send a letter to all class parents to |
| What is Celiac Disease?" puts the focus on what | | | | inform them of your child's dietary restrictions and |
| the child can still eat, as opposed to what she | | | | ask them to please let you know when they are |
| now cannot. Try to keep that focus going. | | | | bringing in treats for the class, so that you may |
| Attitudes of parents, siblings, friends and relatives | | | | bring something comparable for your child. |
| will be important as well. It will be much easier for | | | | Option 2: Work something out with the teacher |
| the child - now and later in life - if family | | | | where she makes sure parents give her notice |
| members and friends can accept celiac disease | | | | before allowing treats to be brought in, so that |
| and the gluten-free (G-F) diet as a way of life. | | | | she can, in turn, give you the notice you need. |
| Truth be told: the gluten free diet is for life, 24/7. | | | | Keep a bag of treats at school in case something |
| To a certain degree, you must change the way | | | | falls through and you are not alerted. If she |
| you interact with food, some of the places you | | | | comes home saying someone brought a treat |
| visit, and the way you approach some of life. But, | | | | and she had to have something from her bag, |
| when faced with a positive attitude, there is hope | | | | keep all talk positive with your child. Say |
| and encouragement for those who make this | | | | something like, "Oh, good, I'm glad you were able |
| commitment. Remember that you are not alone. | | | | to do that, and that we had extra treats there |
| Once you get used to it, the gluten-free diet | | | | for you!" Be proactive with the teacher if she is |
| becomes very manageable. Your child can still | | | | not keeping her end of the plan. Keep a few |
| enjoy most of her favorite types of food. You | | | | pre-made frosted cupcakes or brownies in the |
| just need to make a few minor adjustments to | | | | freezer so you are always prepared. Add |
| the ingredients. You do need take a few | | | | sprinkles the morning of when the cupcake is |
| precautions, and become an avid label-reader. With | | | | being sent in so the top looks fresh and different |
| practice and time, screening for gluten becomes | | | | every time. |
| second nature. It may take a while to find a safe | | | | Pizza parties: |
| version of all their favorite foods, as you are | | | | Kids' parties often include pizza. Make a pizza |
| learning about what is safe and what is not. Be | | | | ahead of time (or cook a frozen one) and send in |
| patient with yourself. | | | | a few slices for your child. Consider helping to plan |
| Restaurants: | | | | certain school parties and see if you could do |
| Don't feel like you can't eat out. Getting a G-F | | | | something different like hardshell corn tacos or |
| meal in most restaurants is usually not that | | | | nachos instead. |
| difficult. Staple choices include fruits, grilled meats, | | | | Let your child choose: |
| vegetables, salads, eggs, and potatoes. Check out | | | | When your young child is invited to a party, talk |
| web resources to find restaurants with | | | | to the parent when you RSVP, asking which |
| gluten-free menus. Some chains that we frequent | | | | foods will be served so that you may bring |
| are: Uno Chicago Grill, Chilis, Chipotle, Bonefish Grill | | | | something comparable for your child that is G-F. |
| and Outback Steakhouse. If you go to a | | | | As your child gets older, sometimes he or she |
| restaurant that doesn't have its own G-F menu, | | | | may want to eat something at home before |
| stick to basics like grilled chicken over a salad, or | | | | going out to a social event. You might find that a |
| a burger made without a bun. We sometimes | | | | person or people make it uncomfortable for your |
| bring our own salad dressings and extras like | | | | child to bring her own food. Try to make them |
| slivered almonds or G-F croutons. Generally, | | | | feel proud of themselves and to feel lucky that |
| french fries are NOT considered gluten-free at | | | | they know they have CD. Try to get your child |
| restaurants. In and of themselves they usually are | | | | talking about it, and make sure that you keep the |
| G-F, but unfortunately, they share a deep fryer | | | | talk as positive as possible. Let it be your child's |
| with foods like chicken fingers, which are breaded. | | | | choice as to whether she wants to eat something |
| Therefore the french fries become | | | | beforehand and sit empty-handed when everyone |
| gluten-contaminated. Instead, let your child enjoy | | | | else is eating pizza and cake, or if they'd like to |
| a treat of oven-baked french fries at home once | | | | bring pizza and a cupcake. As hard as it is to think |
| in a while. | | | | of your child going to a social event and not being |
| Check out the restaurant BEFORE you go there. | | | | able to eat while there, the most important thing |
| See if they have an online menu or food allergen | | | | is ownership of the diet. Support them by telling |
| listings. Call and speak with the manager. Do your | | | | your child that whatever works for them is fine |
| homework so you can enjoy the restaurant | | | | with you. |
| experience once you get there. When you tell the | | | | Holidays: |
| waitress your need for a G-F meal for your child, | | | | Easter & Halloween: Let your child "trade in" all |
| do it discreetly so the child doesn't feel like she's in | | | | suspect candy (often there are no ingredient |
| the spotlight, and don't make a huge deal out of it. | | | | labels on candy and it is NOT okay to just guess) |
| You want your family to feel as normal as | | | | for gluten-free candy after all their loot is |
| possible. | | | | collected. Same goes for pinata candy and goodie |
| Teach your child to become self-sufficient by | | | | bags. |
| helping him learn how to make wise menu choices. | | | | Thanksgiving & Easter meals: |
| Try to focus on all the things that your child can | | | | Remember that you cannot stuff a turkey with |
| have instead of crossing off all the things which | | | | gluten-containing bread and safely serve a slice to |
| he can't have. Help your child come up with menu | | | | your child. It will be contaminated. Prepare the |
| cards for frequently visited restaurants. Include | | | | stuffing separately and use gluten-free bread. |
| the name of each restaurant and a list of a few | | | | (See our recipe section for an incredible stuffing |
| good food choices for him to alternate between. | | | | recipe.) Or make an alternative to stuffing such as |
| Have him bring them along when he eats out, and | | | | rice, G-F cornbread, or G-F dinner rolls. Delicious |
| this will give him a feeling of independence instead | | | | G-F gravy can be prepared with cornstarch and |
| of feeling like he needs mom and dad to navigate | | | | pan drippings rather than wheat flour. |
| the menu for him. Of course, this level of | | | | Appetizers: |
| independence will take time and experience, but it | | | | Make sure family members know that cheeses |
| is a good goal to strive for. | | | | should be kept on one tray and crackers on |
| School tips: | | | | another. Provide your child with G-F crackers and |
| Write a letter to your child's teacher explaining | | | | keep them separate. Our families still bring regular |
| Celiac disease and what it means for your child. | | | | crackers but everyone makes a conscious effort |
| Or meet with her in person to discuss it. Give | | | | to keep things separate. As far as dips go, you |
| them printed literature about CD and a list of | | | | must make sure there are spoons in every dip |
| acceptable foods. Make sure she e-mails you | | | | and ask people to spoon dip onto their own plates |
| about any questionable foods they might be | | | | before dipping crackers into it. Always keep G-F |
| arranging for snacks, and that she gives you a | | | | tortilla chips around for safe dipping. Make sure |
| few days notice for birthday parties and special | | | | your child knows which Doritos, etc. are G-F and |
| occasions for which you'll need to send your child | | | | which are not, or to ask you, instead of guessing. |
| a G-F substitute. Send in a bag of G-F treats for | | | | In conclusion, you can confidently navigate your |
| those times when parents send in treats | | | | Celiac child's way through a gluten world. As a |
| unannounced, so your child will always have | | | | parent, please be sure to form a network of |
| something for herself. And write a letter to the | | | | support around your child, and encourage |
| school office, too, so they can put it into your | | | | everyone in your child's life to speak and act |
| child's official records. Make sure that the school | | | | positively about the gluten-free diet. It will make a |
| nurse and cafeteria monitors are informed as well. | | | | world of difference! |