April 9, 2014

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!


35 comments:

  1. Those cookies are tasty, but pricey. I'm trying to not buy too many "gluten-free" things that have to be made special and instead doing food that is naturally gluten free (so a lot of fruit, okay, some potato chips and corn chips). Oh, and candy...gotta love sour patch kids. And sorbet!

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  2. I love that you let her pick out her own snacks. We aren't gluten free in our house - yet - but I have been thinking about making the switch.

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  3. I love Annie's products. I wish our Publix carried more of them. The S. Cobb Kroger has a organics section the size of Publix's produce and we find so many better snacks for us there. Tell M I'm coming to share her Snickerdoodles!

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  4. Oh and I love those Starbucks cake pops. I hope to get my entire family going with GF eventually, it's a slow transition for us.

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  5. I love how many companies are now offering gluten free items! You shouldn't have to give up your favorites.

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  6. Good luck on your journey. I hope it helps her. We are currently looking to remove a lot from my son's diet hoping for some of the same changes.

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  7. I love how you tried to explain the GF lifestyle to her and her willingness to make the switch is amazing. Kudos to you guys! Plus it's great there are so many tasty GF products on the market now.

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  8. I really love how you open you are about bribing your kids! I do that too. It will be a tough transition, but with a great attitude from mommy, I am sure that she will be thriving in no time.

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  9. I just tried a Freschetta pizza not long ago that was Gluten Free and it really did taste just like pizza. I'm glad to see these kinds of selections being amped up to tasty. Pretty soon your little one will be eating all kinds of good stuff that are gluten free and still TASTE good too!

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  10. Oh how sweet! WEED in the cookies :)
    We are trying to cut down on gluten, too. I think my daughter and I both have a sensitivity to gluten. I just tried a new cracker - the Glutino Sea Salt - and it is so yummy!

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  11. I'm glad that she's been so great about the switch. My toddler wouldn't be so understanding right now (he really loves cookies that I make.) Annie's products are so great, though.

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  12. Bravo to her for handling it so well! The "weed" in the cookies is hilarious!

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  13. Kids are so adaptable. Love Annie's

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  14. I love Chex cereal. You can price match that and save a lot of money. Congrats on your daughter handling the changes so well.

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  15. It is great that you take the time to explain to your kids what.a gluten free diet is all about. It is surprising how a lot of people don't even know what gluten is, yet they claim to be eating gluten free

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  16. That Starbucks cake pop is sinfully delicious! Gluten free diet is a bit pricey in my opinion...but then again...any kind of diet is expensive. Good luck on your Gluten Free diet!

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  17. I glad to hear that your daughter is on board with the changes. Annie's is one of my favorite food snack companies.

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  18. It's great that she is accepting this so well! Luckily there seems to be sooo many GF options for things these days.

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  19. My friend's youngest son is gluten-free. He still doesn't understand he can't have what everyone else is having! - Jenn @ The Rebel Chick

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  20. What a smart young lady! Even though we're not Celiac sensitive, my family and I definitely feel the affects of wheat and gluten after we've eaten it so we do our best to stay away from it. I've fallen off the bandwagon but I REALLY need to get back on it!

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  21. There is nothing wrong with a indulgent treat every now and then. Gluten free can be a challenge, but there are some really nice options out there that satisfy.

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  22. Hehe, Weed in the cookies? Too cute! it sounds like she is tackling her problem with an optimistic attitude thanks to your gentle direction! Mmm, we love Annie's cookies!

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  23. GF food can be so good! We are so glad we have found great pizza and cookies along with making sure we are just generally eating better!

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  24. Good look in your GF journey! I can bet that it can be quite challenging when it comes to snacks and meals--especially during travel times. Looks like you're off to a really great start!

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  25. II think a little bribery is pefectly fine. Glad to see you're making smart switches

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  26. I think a little briery is perfectly fine. Glad to see you're making smart switches

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  27. I've considered going a GF route for us too. It would be much healthier, and it seems to be easier to find GF foods these days.

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  28. Haha, weed in the cookies! I'm glad they have so many GF options now.

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  29. I am a big fan of chex cereal. I used to think having to go GF really limited people, but it so isn't the case!

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  30. So glad that she understands that it's best for her. Diet changes can be so hard for children. My heart goes out to you!

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  31. That is so awesome she understands what it mean to snack differently. I can only hope this all works out!

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  32. What a cute little girl! I'm still snickering at the weed comment, lol

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  33. My 4 year old is on a gf diet and as the months go on it gets harder. At first she was fine with it, but as we try to eat out, it is becoming so tough.

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  34. You can't go wrong with Annies and Chex though. Great trade offs for a young one.

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