Its summer and day camp is upon us. For parents of and children with celiac disease, this can be a very trying time. Who wouldn’t want an ice cream sandwich on a hot day? How can we help our children deal with the peer pressure of “seriously? you don’t want one?”
Differences in diet can always present a challenge. Regardless if you have a vegetarian, vegan, kosher, gluten free diet, your kid is always going to have to face questions. Here are someways to deal with these questions:
You can’t always expect camps neighbors, relatives, and friends to have gluten-free products on hand. One solution is to send gluten-free snacks along with your child and make them very appealing.
Many people with celiac disease find support groups very helpful. These groups:
- Offer the perspective of others in the same situation
- Are places where people can share tips on how to deal with a difficult situation
- May give advice on how to adapt recipes to make them taste better.
- Planning in advance can help decrease stress on the trip.
- Try not to let food concerns prevent you from enjoying the trip.
- Contact the teacher in charge to find out where the group will be eating. Many others with food concerns will probably be contacting the teacher, as well.
- Contact the restaurants where the group will eat, and find out if they will be serving anything safe. If you will be staying at a facility like a camp, get the phone number of the camp chef. Most chefs are used to dealing with people who have celiac disease.
- Bring along gluten-free cereal in Ziploc bags that you can have for breakfast. If you eat this cereal in your room beforehand, you’ll most likely be able to grab some fresh fruit at the group breakfast, or even possibly order eggs.
Don’t forget a delicious snack to give your child is Twenty 4 Zen Gluten Free Granola. Its incredible taste, ability to hold up in the heat and gorgeous jewel tone colors might even make other kids regret that they aren’t gluten free. Of course there’s a simple solution to this one – send along a bag or two with your child so all campers and counselors can enjoy the great flavors and benefits of protein and fiber of high quality oats, almonds, premium seeds, fresh lemon, sweet and tart vanilla and mouthwatering chocolate.
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