When your child has celiac disease or an intolerance to gluten, finding a variety of things to send to school for lunch can be a challenge. Sit down with your child and make him or her a part of the process. Planning out healthy lunches for the week ahead helps avoid rushed and stressful mornings.
The important thing to remember when planning a gluten-free lunch for your child is to think outside the box (and sandwich). While many companies such as Udi's make decent gluten-free bread these days, the bread is not the same as bread containing gluten and is usually much more expensive. Fortunately, your child is not limited to taking a sandwich. Many options exist for the gluten-free child.
The important thing to remember when planning a gluten-free lunch for your child is to think outside the box (and sandwich). While many companies such as Udi's make decent gluten-free bread these days, the bread is not the same as bread containing gluten and is usually much more expensive. Fortunately, your child is not limited to taking a sandwich. Many options exist for the gluten-free child.
Take a Thermos
Your choices for what to include in a lunchbox expand dramatically with the use of a thermos. With a good thermos, you are no longer confined by the need to have foods that are palatable cold or at room temperature. Some options for including in a thermos are:
• Gluten-free pasta dishes such as spaghetti, lasagna, and macaroni and cheese.
• Gluten-free chicken nuggets. Warm the nuggets up to a slightly hotter temperature than you normally would before putting them in the thermos. Experiment with different brands to see which ones resist getting soggy. Golden Platter All Natural Gluten-Free Chicken nuggets work well for this. Be sure to include ranch dressing or ketchup for dipping.
• Casseroles such as chicken and rice or tater tot casserole work well in thermoses. Pick your child's favorite to entice him or her to eat a healthy lunch.
• Gluten-free pasta dishes such as spaghetti, lasagna, and macaroni and cheese.
• Gluten-free chicken nuggets. Warm the nuggets up to a slightly hotter temperature than you normally would before putting them in the thermos. Experiment with different brands to see which ones resist getting soggy. Golden Platter All Natural Gluten-Free Chicken nuggets work well for this. Be sure to include ranch dressing or ketchup for dipping.
• Casseroles such as chicken and rice or tater tot casserole work well in thermoses. Pick your child's favorite to entice him or her to eat a healthy lunch.
Try Wraps
In place of a sandwich, try a wrap. Tuna salad, chicken salad, and all manner of lunch meat work well on a lettuce wrap. Buy mild, large leaf lettuce such as green leaf, iceberg, or romaine, pile with fillings and roll. Secure the wrap with toothpicks and remind your child to remove the toothpicks before eating.
If lettuce wraps aren't appealing, try using a corn tortilla. Check the ingredients to make sure it is truly gluten free but most are. All of the fillings listed for lettuce wraps work well with corn tortillas as well. If your child loves peanut butter and jelly, corn tortillas are perfect for PB&J wraps.
If lettuce wraps aren't appealing, try using a corn tortilla. Check the ingredients to make sure it is truly gluten free but most are. All of the fillings listed for lettuce wraps work well with corn tortillas as well. If your child loves peanut butter and jelly, corn tortillas are perfect for PB&J wraps.
Buy a Bento Box
Bento boxes have become quite popular with children for lunchtime. The boxes are sectioned containers that allow you to pack a variety of finger foods into one box. When packing a bento box, think of providing enough variety for well-rounded nutrition. Pack protein, starch, fruits, and vegetables. Some ideas for bento boxes include:
• Cold, grilled chicken
• Ham and pickle roll-ups
• Cheese cubes
• Cut up fruit
• Carrot sticks with hummus
• Salsa bean dip with tortilla chips
• Gluten-free rice crackers
• Hard boiled eggs
• Mixed nuts (if your school allows children to bring these)
• Cold, grilled chicken
• Ham and pickle roll-ups
• Cheese cubes
• Cut up fruit
• Carrot sticks with hummus
• Salsa bean dip with tortilla chips
• Gluten-free rice crackers
• Hard boiled eggs
• Mixed nuts (if your school allows children to bring these)
While the goal of providing lunch for your child is to give them optimal nutrition, the healthiest lunch in the world is a waste if your child won't eat it. Sit down with your child and make a list of foods that they enjoy that would work well to send to lunch. Explore options that you normally wouldn't think to send by using thermoses, cold packs, and bento boxes.
Being gluten-free means that your child will not be able to eat the same lunches as most of his or her classmates. But it does not mean that their lunch will not be just as healthy and just as delicious.
Being gluten-free means that your child will not be able to eat the same lunches as most of his or her classmates. But it does not mean that their lunch will not be just as healthy and just as delicious.
