Here at Dietary Specials, we know how difficult gluten free meal times can be with lunchtime in particular being one of the hardest meals to cater for. You run screaming away from Friday cake time, pale at the thought of “grabbing a bite to eat at the service stations” and want your child to have a “normal” packed lunch so they blend in with the other pupils. With our help we can make gluten free lunch times fun times once again.


In September, the kids go back to school all suited and booted in new uniforms which will never look the same come October, however, if your child is coeliac a torn seam here and a scuffed shoe there is the least of your worries. As parents of coeliac children have told us, giving their children “normal” foods for their school lunch is a high priority, after all every child wants to fit in! Like our previous blog going away gluten free the easiest option is to D.I.Y, yes making a packed lunch. As with all packed lunches they involve preparation, planning and effort on your part but they are the best way to ensure your child is eating gluten free and healthy, plus you can ensure his or hers packed lunch looks the same as their non coeliac peers.

Here’s some tips to make your child’s lunch box a fun box;

                                                            
Go Italiano with gluten free Pasta! Why not make a big enough portion to serve for dinner the night before? Simply refrigerate the leftovers in a tupperware box and give it to your child to take with them to school the next morning! At DS gluten free we have a range of pastas suitable for people with coeliac disease including Penne, Spaghetti and Fusilli, all gluten free and wheat free. If you ever need any inspiration, we also have a list of gluten free pasta sauces and accompaniments right here on the dietary specials website


Sandwiches anyone? A gluten free sandwich is one way your child will definitely never feel left out! There’s no need to stop at gluten free loaves, we also have a range of delicious gluten and wheat free rolls and baguettes. We also know the standard ham and cheese filler can make life feel like groundhog day so why not get creative and try one of our sandwich filling recipes? 


Simple salads. Salads tick the compulsory box of being gluten and wheat free but they’re also healthy. The only problem is some children need a little encouragement to get excited about their five a day so make it fun with finger veggie food first. Chop up carrot sticks, green beans, green or red peppers, celery sticks or cherry tomatoes, team them with a tub of wheat and gluten free hummus for added appeal!


Fruity Fun! Same as above don’t just rely on regular choices such as apples! Try a small bunch of grapes, a few blueberries, a satsuma, slices of mango or chunks of melon. Add in dried fruits, like raisins apricots, sultanas and seeds, like pumpkin or sunflower. To introduce your child to new flavours why not try them with a fruit smoothie first? They’re fun to make and it will encourage your child to be more adventurous with flavours.


Nowadays, however, whether your child is coeliac or not, there is new advice about what a good lunch box should include. As a general guide you should ensure that your child’s gluten free lunch box contains;
                              
1. A starchy carbohydrate such as wheat and gluten free bread, pasta or potatoes
2. A protein source such as lean meat, fish or cheese
3. Vegetables for inspiration see above!
4. A portion of fruit again if you need some ideas see our fruity fun section.
5. A dairy food for example a carton of milk or yoghurt . Little yoghurts or fromage frais desserts bulk out lunches, especially for an older child.
6. A drink, ideally water or milk, but also diluted fruit juice or smoothies!
Source ‘Pukka Packed Lunches’ from Food Standards Agency

In the canteen gluten free

If your child prefers a hot dinner there’s still no need to panic, coeliac awareness is on the rise and with the majority of schools across the country managing children’s allergies and intolerances the canteen supervisor will be aware of different dietary needs. Many larger catering kitchens are used to dealing with the allergies and have the necessary space to avoid gluten contamination. If your child is eating in the school canteen, why not pay them a visit first to check that they are aware of the gluten free diet and offer to supply some gluten free pasta or pizza bases if they don’t already have them.

Gluten free treats and snacks

Now the savoury meals are sorted there’s no need for your child to go without tasty snacks or sweets with our long list of tasty gluten free treats, here’s our five favourite gluten and wheat free snacks brought to you by Dietary Specials and our sister brand, TRUfree. Don’t forget TRUfree’s biscuits are portioned packed which are even handier to pop in your child’s lunch box for break time;


1. Dietary Specials gluten and wheat free rice cakes, these are delicious on their own but try smothering them in melted gluten free chocolate. A treat for big kids too!

2. Award winning wheat and gluten free TRUfree pretzels, a perfect snack in between meals

3. TRUfree’s tasty Chocolate Dippers. Wheat and gluten free dipping sticks dunked in creamy chocolate!

4. Crunch away on Trufree’s Herb & Onion gluten free crackers. These crackers also feature in in TRUfree’s children Lunch Box suggestion!

5. And finally we have Dietary Specials delicious gluten and wheat free orange flavoured crispy bars !

Are you hungry for more information? Follow Dietary Specials on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook to receive regular news and updates on what’s gluten free. Or if you’re a parent or guardian of a coeliac child who would like to speak to others in the same situation why not visit the Dietary Specials forum to share your story with others? All of our recipes, products and much more can be found on the DS website.



 

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