With summer in full swing, it may be tough to consider Back to School but for many school districts across the U.S., we are within a month of just that. For others, Back to School is just 5-6 weeks away.
As a caring parent, I am sure you have spent a fun summer with your children, making sure they remain gluten free in their diet and maybe you have even enjoyed teaching your child how to make some of their favorite gluten free recipes.
However, when Back to School time arrives, the temptation to cheat on their gluten free diets will again appear. (I am an adult and I fight the temptation myself on a daily basis, all while knowing it is wrong.) Your child may think “Oh, but just eating anything is easier.” (I have thought it) But, for children with Celiac Disease or extreme behavioral issues when consuming gluten, a gluten free diet MUST be maintained.
A new school year means new teachers to educate, new friends whose parents will likely need to be made aware of your child’s dietary needs and the time to plan is now. Here are some tips to help you.
1. Inform your child’s teacher about your child’s gluten free diet and specific dietary needs and musts. While many classroom parties have been eliminated in schools today, teachers still do share treats with their classrooms from time to time (i.e. rewards of pizza parties, etc.)
2. Keeping with that train of thought, giving your child’s teacher a bag of gluten free treats that your child can enjoy during these special treat times (including the ever popular birthday party season that comes at back to school time, honoring summer vacation or fall birthdays) will ensure your child does not feel left out or “different.”
3. Keeping gluten free waffles, pancakes or quick go-to breakfast snacks that you can fix or your child can grab on a busy morning will be a tremendous help when the school year arrives. You can plan ahead by shopping now.
4. If your child is the only member of your family that must be gluten free and you have not put everyone in your house on a gluten free diet as a show of support, then maintaining a separate gluten free cutting tool for your child’s lunches will ensure no cross contamination. Be sure to label the knife or scissors so everyone knows this is for gluten free use. Further, maintaining a special gluten free jar of peanut butter or jelly will help to ensure no health hazards.
5. Prepare vegetables in bulk at the start of each week and label the container gluten safe. This way you will be able to grab and go quickly.
By thinking of Back to School planning NOW, you will not be in as much of a rush when the first day of school arrives. Less stress for you also means less stress for your child and at the start of a new school year, that’ll benefit everyone.
AZ Grocery Deals 