Our Gluten Free Journey with Gluten Free Kids

Living Gluten Free as an adult is a walk in the park compared to trying to raise Gluten Free toddlers. Our family’s Gluten Free story began when I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2011. With Gluten out of my diet, my body started to work and within two months of going Gluten Free we were pregnant with TWINS! After talking to various doctors and nutritionists we decided to keep the twins Gluten Free for at least 10 months after they were born. We were blessed with two healthy babies in 2012. They grew and thrived. When we first introduced Gluten there were no signs of any effects. So we kept them 80% Gluten Free. Almost all meals in the home were Gluten Free but they did have Gluten outside the home.

This strategy seemed to work for two years but we wanted to have the twins genetic tested for Celiac Disease. The genetic test came back positive for DQ2, basically this is a gene that most Celiacs have. So bottom line was they carried the gene but we didn’t know if they actually had Celiac Disease. The next step was a Gluten-challenge, also know as eat as much Gluten as possible so you can run more tests. I won’t go into details but the Gluten-challenge was a messy and painful process. After more tests and talking with the doctor we decided to use the label Gluten Sensitive for the twins. So there we were with 2.5 year old twins who couldn’t have goldfish at Sunday school anymore or have Oreo’s like their big sister.

We are now a year into three of our five family members being 100% Gluten Free. It has gotten easier but there are still challenges with eating out, birthday parties and school.

Here are some tips we’ve learned about having Gluten Free toddlers:

1. Keep Gluten Free cupcakes in the freezer for any last minute birthday parties or school event

2. Communicate with all the adults that interact with your child so they are aware of what your child can and cannot have

3. To the level that the child understands, let them know not to eat anything given to them by anyone other than parents or teachers

4. Find support. Connect with other parents of Gluten Free kids so you can encourage and support one another

5. Never go anywhere without Gluten Free food. At all times my purse, our van and the diaper bag are filled with GF snacks. Having a hungry toddler when you are trapped without safe snacks is not a happy place for anyone.

You and your Gluten Free children will survive, just stay positive and be your child’s biggest advocate.

We are sharing our story as part of Udi’s Gluten Free Gluten Free Journey Campaign. Udi’s asked various people in the Gluten Free community to share their stores as a way to encourage and educate. Udi’s is one of our favorite go-to brands for GF products for the whole family. The twins’ favorite Udi’s products are: Cheese Pizza, Double Vanilla Muffins, and the Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites.