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Don't forget to attend our support group meetings (the second Saturday of the month) at the Hamot Heart Institute. ******************************************************************** As parents, we naturally want to make our children feel safe and cherished. Having a child with Celiac disease presents special challenges. But with the help and wisdom of fellow parents, and of professionals, creating a happy and fulfilling gluten-free lifestyle for your child is just a click away. We encourage you to contact other parents facing these challenges. Their wisdom and good humor will be invaluable to you. Meanwhile, here are a few answers to frequently asked questions about helping your child lead a gluten-free lifestyle. Q: If some members of our family are not gluten-free, should we create a "dual household?" A: With a little planning, it is not difficult to make many gluten-free foods for the whole family, such as sauces and gluten-free breaded chicken. Many families only cook some items separately for their family members with celiac disease. For example, you might want to cook two separate pots of pasta (regular and gluten-free), and then use a gluten-free sauce for both. Many families find it more economical to have some items, such as gluten-free cookies and pretzels, for their celiac family members and "traditional" cookies and pretzels for the rest of the family. A "dual household" may work for you, but you may find that over time, it is not necessary to maintain. Q: What do I do about school lunches? A: This can seem to be an overwhelming challenge. Here's an easy way to overcome it: think of what you would normally pack for your child's school lunch, and then make substitutions where necessary. For example, a typical school lunch might be baby carrots, gluten-free yogurt, a sandwich on gluten-free bread, an apple, and a gluten-free candy, cookie or brownie. The sandwich filling could be some of the same fillings your child has always liked -- tuna, gluten-free cold cuts, or peanut butter and jelly. You may be surprised at how gluten-free your traditional school lunches have always been. Q: What things should I tell my child's friends - and their parents - to keep my child well? A: When using your kitchen, your child's friends should know your child can't have gluten. Explain why there are separate "spreadables" like butter, margarine, cream cheese, mayonnaise, peanut butter and jam. Explain why you have two toasters. Explain why your child may not be able to accept treats that are traded or offered. Do this gently, and you may be amazed at how tolerant and compassionate children can be. Q: My life changed dramatically when my child was diagnosed with Celiac disease. Will we ever be able to travel or eat out again? A: There's no question that your life will inevitably change, just as your life changed when you became a parent. Guess what? You make adjustments. Some are easier than others, but just as your heart expands to satisfy the demands placed on it by parenthood, so too will your capacity for adaptation expand to take care of your child after the diagnosis. This doesn't mean that you won't feel stressed at times. And it is quite normal to feel safer at home, where you are in control, but over time it gets easier. Most families feel that with learning and experience, they are able to go to restaurants, parties, travel - to do almost anything. Do continue to seek information from other people, including restaurants and travel destinations. Most important, seek information from other parents who have successfully confronted and overcome the challenges you now face. Their example will be an inspiration to you. Also, please use the resources on and linked from this site, such as restaurants, recipes and advice. That's what we're here for. Q: What do I tell my child's teacher about Celiac disease? A: Parents with school-age celiac children need to inform teachers and school nurses about their children's unique needs. Sending a note to school stressing the importance of maintaining a gluten-free environment for your child is a wise strategy (a face-to-face meeting with teachers and school administration is an even better one). The following is an example of a note that you can use for this purpose:
The following recipes are drawn from Nothing Beats Gluten-Free Cooking -- A Children's Cookbook published by the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University. Copies are available by clicking here.
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