Explaining a gluten-free diet to our child

This is the story of how it all began:

At the age of five, M has certain treats that she loves.  Freebie cookies at the grocery store and Starbucks cake pops have become part of our shopping ritual and a reward for good behavior. I am sure some of my readers are shaking their heads and thinking "Oh my! Maybe she shouldn't have introduced those in the first place!"  Too bad! I am a believer that a little bit of bribery can go along way and two well behaved children at the grocery store deserves a treat my book.

The first time I explained gluten-free to M was at the end of our first GF grocery trip. Normally after I've done all my shopping we swing by the bakery and get a free cookie. Instead, I simply looked at M and said, "You know how sometimes you get out of control? Or sometimes you feel sad? Or sometimes you feel tired? Or sometimes you have a hard time at school? We are trying to fix that! Mommy and Daddy think that the reason that you might be feeling this way is because of a thing called gluten and it is in a lot of foods that we eat. If we stop eating those foods...maybe you'll feel better!" She just looked at me. I tried a different approach, "It is called wheat. Wheat is in a lot of things that you eat...like Publix cookies." Then she responded in the best way I could've imagined, "Okay mommy. I can't have a Publix cookie because it will make me sick."

To my complete surprise, she has been more than understanding about these changes. M said it was okay not to eat Publix cookies, her favorite type of toast and even Starbucks cake pops. She just seems to understand. I don't know if it's because she really does understand the concept of being in "the fog" that we are trying to get her out of or not. Either way, I'm so proud of her for making this journey easier with the simple understanding that gluten can make her sick.

On a lighter note, M is still learning how to put a "T" sound at the end of  certain words. When Daddy  came home, he was greeted with an enthusiastic daughter yelling, "Daddy! There is WEED in the cookies!!"

                                               

Everyone is on board! The mother-in-law and I took her to choose GF snacks last night.  M picked out things that she thinks that she will enjoy.  Most of these products are pretty pricey- I will have to find alternatives or start making my own. This was our GF maiden voyage- just a few things to pad our pantry with options that are quick, gluten-free and safe for her! After a day of explaining that  gluten was in so many things, we needed to find treats for M to show her that fun AND gluten-free options are
out there!

Keep in mind- this blog is an account of OUR gluten-free journey. I am not paid to endorse any these products. These are just pictures of what we purchased to add to our snack stash. She will be eating a balanced diet- not just snack food!