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DIET

Gluten-Free Information
Words that usually mean product has a grain containing gluten: Stabilizer, flavoring, emulsifier, hydrolyzed, plant protein. Gluten sensitivities are known as a chemical reaction that happens between the gut and the brain. Acts as an opiate drug. There are 33 Amino Acid Sequences in grains; grains are wheat, rye, barley, oat and hybrids like spelt and kamut. All grains have storage protein.

Kids on gluten-free diets are typically, not always; deficient in the following: Thiamin, Niacin, Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium, Iron and Fiber, Vitamin B supplements. Gluten-free diets have supported positive anecdotal research in gluten/casein free diets in children with Aspergers and ADD/ADHD.

If you have questions about Gluten-Free Diets, I found the following very helpful:

Via Phone
Gluten Intolerance Group (has dietician that specializes in celiac disease:) (253) 833-6655
Celiac Sprue Association: (877) 272-4272 or www.csaceliacs.org

Websites
Certified gluten-free products: www.gfco.org
Clan Thompson: www.clanthompson.com
Gluten-Free Mom — blog and recipes: www.glutenfreemom.com

Books
- Raising Our Celiac Kids by Donna Korn: A good reference for gluten-free dietary needs.
- Dummy series on Gluten-free Diets

Magazines
- Living Without magazine: www.livingwithout.com Available at Whole Foods and other health food stores. Pricey, but worth it, maybe you can convince your local library to subscribe!
- Gluten-Free Living magazine: http://glutenfreeliving.com

FOOD!

Helpful Food and Brand Tips
- Ore-Ida French fries and frozen potatoes. The Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries taste as close to the real deal as you can get: www.oreida.com/quicktipsfaqs/glutenfree.aspx
- You can't have French fries without ketchup: www.myheinz.com/faq.asp
- Frito-Lay lists gluten and lactose-free ingredient of all thier products: www.fritolay.com/our-snacks/lays.html
- Dorito, Pirate's Booty and Cape Cod chips are also gluten-free
- Trader Joe's products are labeled to identify gluten-free and vegan (the store has a list of things that are gluten-free vegan, which means no animal products or by-products, such as milk or casein) www.traderjoes.com/labels_and_lists.html
- Egg Substitutes Handy recipe list (PDF)


BREAKFAST
Arrowhead Mills Gluten-Free Pancake & Baking Mix (will need canola oil, I use egg substitute, vanilla and whole grain dairy free drink) Also, Envirokidz Koala Crisp Cereal, Rice Krispies Gluten-Free, You can make French toast with Udi's bread, Udi has delicious bagels and Kinnikinnick has great donuts and muffins. There are also lots of great gluten-free pancakes, Arrowhead & Van's waffles are yummy. Vermont Maid Syrup is tasty! Enjoy Life Brand-Cinnamon Raisin Bagels, Eggs and most bacon is gluten- free

LUNCH
Any Boars Head Deli, Kosher bologna or turkey sandwich on GF bread (Ener-G tapioca or white rice and Glutino breads are the least offensive store-bought brands, they have a texture that's similar to Pepperidge Farm, Udi's is one of Mal's favorites and is sold at Stop & Shop and 1 cheaper at Trader Joes), GF pizza or pasta with traditional sauce or make homemade with organic crushed tomatoes. Homemade hamburger or Kosher hot dog or Bell & Evans or Wellshire Kids' GF chicken nuggets with Ore-Ida Fast Food Fries & Heinz ketchup, Ian's also makes fries, chix nuggets and fish sticks. Annie's Rice Mac & Cheese and Trader Joe's brand are tasty, Amy's brand foods are also delicious.

SNACKS
All fruit and veggies for the most part are great snacks. Rice crackers, Betty Crocker fruit snacks; Envirokidz cereal bars; Lay's potato chips, Trader Joes Rice and Bean Chips, Tortilla Chips and Salsa, Applesauce with cinnamon are also some great choices. Here are more suggestions:
- Coco loco: chocolate bars
- Enjoy Life: is a really good brand… very tasty, Malachi loves the following: Soft baked snickerdoodles, soft baked chewy chocolate chips, chewy chocolate brownies and caramel apple snack bars. Coco loco: chocolate bars
- Ener G: Wylde Pretzels are good
- Orgran: Chocolate or vanilla animal cookies are good. Their rice and corn pasta (animal shapes) is also good
- Glennys: Brown rice marshmallow treats (similar to Rice Krispy treats)
- Schar: Table crackers (not great, but with Hummus OK, and breadsticks are very good)
- Glutino: Pretzels are good, garlic bread sticks (not Mal's favorite but he tolerates them)
- Kinnikinnick: great brand-very tasty-can find on line or at Stop & Shop as well as Natures Way. Kinnikinnick Smoreables-Malachi loves these-graham crackers, Oreo substitute (both vanilla and chocolate) and they also have donuts (have egg in them though) can also be found at Stop & Shop, Whole Foods or Nature's Way
- Calbee Snack Salad; Snapea Crisps; can be found at Stop & Shop

DINNER (see lunch menu above)
- Sides: All veggies, mashed cauliflower, sweet potato, white potato, Trader Joe's Rice Pasta and Cheddar, gluten-free brown rice.

DESSERTS
- Namaste: Brownie mix (that Nicole's son, Malachi loves!)
- Cherrybrook Kitchen: Cake and frosting kits to make cake substitutes
- Izzy B's Bakery in Norwalk: Izzy B's Bakery makes the best gluten-free cakes and cupcakes. It's pricey but well worth the cost!
- Purely Decadent: Ice cream, made with coconut milk has a good variety and great taste. Can be found at Stop & Shop and Natures Way

EXTRAS
- Non-Dairy Cheese: Found at Whole Foods.
- Rice Yellow Cheese: Non-dairy, casein and lactose-free: harder to melt than normal cheese but decent substitute for making homemade pizza or grilled cheese, melted cheese on burger etc.