Celiacs Disease?!

[DaycareMama]

My child was just diagnosed with Celiacs Disease. I am totally oblivious as to were to begin and how to handle this with a daycare of 12 at the same time.

Any tips, ideas, suggestions....anything would greatly be appreciated
I mean any....

[Blackcat31]

I just posted about this not too long ago.

Here is the thread https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62231

[itlw8]

leave all food in the original packaging and read all labels before serving. Since it is your child I would make it easy and serve as much food gluten free as you can. keep it fresh and simple to make it easier.

the packaged food does cost more so you may want to have special food for your child at times.

remember most playdough has flour in it. they do make gluten free art supplies.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

What are you counters made of?
What are the plates y'all eat off of made of?
What about your silverware?

If any of the items are plastic or a plastic-like material then you'll need to get different ones for your child. An easy fix for formica countertops is to buy some cutting boards for a section of it that will ONLY be used for gluten free items to cover it (my friend did this in her home).
Scrub, scrub, scrub, scrub everything down. You might wear gloves while preparing her food. Get everything out BEFORE you put on the gloves. If you touch the handle of the fridge, there is likely some gluten remains on that handle (from sauces/condiments/crumbs/etc.). If you touch the microwave, likely gluten remains on that. Drawer knobs/handles? Gluten remains on that. Put gloves on BEFORE preparing food, but AFTER touching anything that could be contaminated.

You will need to find gluten-free items like shampoo, soap, make-up (if your child wears make-up), etc. in addition to food items. The following is a list of ingredients that mean gluten in products that I found on celiacs.com awhile ago that is very useful:

Avena Sativa (Oat)
Kernel FlourAvena Sativa (Oat)
Kernel ExtractAvena Sativa (Oat)
Kernel OilAvena Sativa (Oat) Bran
Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Cyclodextrin
Dextrin
Dextrin Palmitate
Disodium Wheatgermamphodiacetate
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
Hydrolyzed Malt Extract
Hydrolyzed Oat Flour
Hydrolyzed Oat Protein
Hydrolyzed Oats
Hydrolyzed Wheat Flour
Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/PVP Crosspolymer
Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Laurdimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Malt Extract
Maltodextrin
Secale Cereale (Rye) Seed Flour
Sodium C8-16 Isoalkylsuccinyl Wheat Protein Sulfonate
Sodium Lauroyl Oat Amino Acid
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Gluten
Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Starch
Wheat Amino Acids
Wheat Germ Glycerides
Wheat Germamidopropalkonium Chloride
Wheat Protein
Wheatgermamidopropyl Ethyldimonium Ethosulfate
Yeast Extract

Tocopherol and Tocopheral Acetate can sometimes contain wheat. We usually call if we see that ingredient to see if it was sourced from wheat.

[e.j.]

DaycareMama, my dd is in the process of eliminating gluten from her diet because of a suspected allergy so all of this information is really helpful to me, too. Between the food my family eats, the food the dc kids eat and now the food my dd eats, my cabinets are getting out of hand. I'm seriously thinking about just going gluten free for everyone - as much as possible, anyway.

I have to say, I haven't felt this overwhelmed since my son was diagnosed with Asperger's. So much to learn!

I'll be printing out Entropy's list and all of the other helpful replies.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

here is a link to a great GF shampoo: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[e.j.]

I've been concentrating on food labels. I had no idea you had to check ingredients for shampoos, soap, makeup, etc.... It may explain why my dd is feeling much better but still experiencing some symptoms. So much to learn!!!

[DaycareMama]

I just want to thank everyone for the replies.

I have horrible service connection so I hope I can remember everyone to thank..
Blackcat I will check out your link for sure.

The person who listed the list.......lovethis your awesome

Ej. Sorry your going thru it to. It is extremely overwhelming. Hopefully we can help each other out.

Ahh the shampoo link......thank you!! Dd has terrible terrible skin issues! That will help for sure!

I hope I got everyone ... I'm roughing it camping with poor Internet service ::

I have to be honest I'm nervous. We are a fairly laid back family that never had to deal with so much seriousness.

[butterfly]

This shopping guide may be helpful to get you started.

http://www.amazon.com/Gluten-Free-Grocery-Shopping-Cecelias-Marketplace/dp/0983165920/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370104299&sr=1-1&keywords=gluten+free+shopping+guide

I used a similar shopping guide when I had to make a switch to gluten free and dairy free. It'll list products that are safe to buy, by category. I remember the overwhelming feeling when you start a diet like this. It will get easier, once you figure out your basic staples.

:hug:

[Evansmom]

I feel for ya. DS2 was dx with peanut allergy 3 years ago and our lives have totally changed...for the better. We eat so much better and we've all lost 30 plus lbs so there is an up side to all of this.

But I remember that overwhelming feeling at first. It's horrible to feel that such a necessary thing like food can make your child very ill! I found a lot of very helpful info and advice at the Kids With Food Allergies website. They also have a forum where parents can share info and experience which is really helpful. I encourage you to visit the forums.

All I can say is educate yourself. As you go along it will become second nature, but it's hard at first.

We chose to make it simple and so our whole family eats the same as my allergic son. We feel this normalizes his allergy and he doesn't feel singled out. He knows some foods are not safe for him and he waits to be sure it's safe before he eats anything. That happens more when we are outside of our home. In our home we eat meats, fish, veggies, fruit and cheeses whenever we want. We almost never eat any packaged food. This makes it so simple to be sure there is no cross contamination.

As for eating out I know Chipotle is very allergy aware and my friend who's son has multiple food allergies including wheat and corn eats safely there.

It takes time but this will become your new normal. PM me if you want, I'll give you my email and we can chat that way.

[Michael]

I feel for ya. DS2 was dx with peanut allergy 3 years ago and our lives have totally changed...for the better. We eat so much better and we've all lost 30 plus lbs so there is an up side to all of this.

But I remember that overwhelming feeling at first. It's horrible to feel that such a necessary thing like food can make your child very ill! I found a lot of very helpful info and advice at the Kids With Food Allergies website. They also have a forum where parents can share info and experience which is really helpful. I encourage you to visit the forums.

All I can say is educate yourself. As you go along it will become second nature, but it's hard at first.

We chose to make it simple and so our whole family eats the same as my allergic son. We feel this normalizes his allergy and he doesn't feel singled out. He knows some foods are not safe for him and he waits to be sure it's safe before he eats anything. That happens more when we are outside of our home. In our home we eat meats, fish, veggies, fruit and cheeses whenever we want. We almost never eat any packaged food. This makes it so simple to be sure there is no cross contamination.

As for eating out I know Chipotle is very allergy aware and my friend who's son has multiple food allergies including wheat and corn eats safely there.

It takes time but this will become your new normal. PM me if you want, I'll give you my email and we can chat that way.

I likewise have the allergy. Lost 20 lbs since changing my diet.