For those suffering from celiac disease, an inherited autoimmune disease, eating foods with gluten can wreak some serious havoc on the small intestine.
Celiac disease affects 1 in 333 people, says Lana Coxton, a dietitian and nutrition support clinician with the Tri-County Celiac Support Group in Northville. And as for gluten itself? It’s a “protein found in wheat, rye, barley, triticale and often oats.”
From pasta to cold cuts to cake, gluten is found in a number of kid-pleasing foods, making it especially hard for kids with celiac disease to adjust to having a special diet.
And while gluten-free diets have become popular over the last decade, particularly due to those who suffer from non-celiac gluten sensitivity, it can still be challenging to find healthy and hunger-satisfying food options.
In the October 2017 issue of Metro Parent, we asked local parents to share some of their suggestions favorite gluten-free food suggestions – that are kid-approved.
When it comes to gluten-free meals, Coxton offers some ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks here. “Meals should include quality proteins, good fats, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals – and with fiber as tolerated,” Coxton says.
Peek at her suggestions below – and tell us which meal you’d like to try in the comments section.
Gluten-Free Meals
Breakfast: Waffles with Fruit, Sausage and Tomatoes
Ingredients
- Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Homestyle Waffles
- Sliced organic berries
- Maple Grove Farms Syrup
- Applegate Naturals Certified Gluten-Free Chicken and Maple Breakfast Sausage Patties
- Organic cherry tomatoes
“This breakfast option provides protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fiber,” Coxton says.
Where to buy
- Purchase Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Homestyle Waffles at Kroger, Meijer, Target and Better Health Market.
- Maple Grove Farms Syrup can be purchased at Kroger, Meijer and Walmart.
- Applegate Naturals Certified Gluten-Free Chicken and Maple Breakfast Sausage Patties can be purchased at Kroger and Meijer.
Lunch: Chicken Fajita Wraps with Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- Mission Gluten-Free Soft Tortillas
- Gluten-free chicken fajita meat
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Avocado
- Salsa
- Fruit salad (assorted fruits)
“This gluten-free lunch option is a good source of protein, monounsaturated fatty acids, fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals for children,” Coxton says.
Where to buy
- Mission Gluten-Free Soft Tortillas can be purchased at Target, Kroger and Pelham Market.
- Try Simple Truth Sliced Chicken Fajita Strips from Kroger.
Dinner: Fish Sticks, Fries and Broccoli
Ingredients
- Ian’s Gluten-Free Fish Sticks
- Organic baked sweet potato fries
- Broccoli
- Cheddar cheese (to melt on top of broccoli)
“This dinner option provides protein, good fats (omega-3 fatty acids), beta carotene with other vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and fiber,” notes Coxton.
Where to buy
- Ian’s Gluten-Free Fish Sticks can be purchased at Kroger, Meijer, Better Health Market and Zerbo’s.
- Pick up Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries at Meijer, Kroger or Walmart.
Snacks
Ingredients
- Udi’s Gluten-Free Bagel with Daiya Cream Cheeze (dairy-free)
- Granny Smith apple or celery with Justin’s Almond Nut Butter
Where to buy
- Udi’s Gluten-Free Bagels are available at Kroger, Meijer, Better Health Market and Zerbo’s.
- Purchase Daiya Cream Cheeze at Kroger, Meijer, Better Health Market and Zerbo’s.
- Grab Justin’s Almond Nut Butter at Kroger, Better Health Market and Zerbo’s.
