As summer wraps up, it is time to get ready for school. Besides the usual stress of friends, activities and grades, some will face an even bigger challenge – sticking to a gluten-free diet. At home, many of us have a fighting chance of monitoring what our child eats. At school, this type of control isn’t possible. But don’t panic – here are several practical steps to take to make going back to school gluten-free a little easier.
Educate your child about a gluten-free lifestyle.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do for your child is to help him understand his condition and what makes it better. While it seems next to impossible educate a 3-year-old on what is gluten-free and what is not, you may be surprised. Little ones are sponges that learn best by observation, so practice eating gluten-free at home before he goes off to school. Chances are that he already knows a lot about the types of foods he should avoid and which are OK.
Visit a doctor regularly.
Make sure that you are seeing a health care professional for your child’s gluten-free health needs. Many conditions that necessitate a gluten-free diet, like celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, require regular health care follow-up. Doctors’ offices are also a great wealth of important gluten-free resources, such as dietitians, support groups, and blogs. And be sure to ask your doctor for a note explaining your child’s special dietary needs. It may also come in handy for a tax write-off at the end of the year.
I also recommend that my patients with celiac disease visit with a dietitian at least once a year to review their diets and make sure that they are getting the proper balance of nutrients essential for their growth.
Foster a relationship with teachers and administrators at your child’s school.
All the hype behind gluten-free has done one thing – raised awareness of the condition. So chances are that when you meet with a teacher or principal, you won’t get that “deer in the headlights” look. Instead of trying to prepare a dissertation on what gluten-free means, focus instead on your goals. I recommend setting up a meeting with your child’s teacher, principal and cafeteria manager before school starts. You may be surprised to learn that they already have a gluten-free system in place.
Don’t freak out about lunchtime.
You don’t have to stress about making your child’s lunch every day. Many schools now offer a healthy selection of gluten-free foods. While some advocate a special table for children with dietary restrictions, I find that this often does more harm than good. Being singled out on day one as different makes for a difficult start to the new school year.
Also, keep in mind that despite your best intentions, you can’t control the other children at school who may flaunt gluten-containing temptations. Remember, a child who understands his condition is always the best prevention.
Dustin James, MD, also known as “The Tummy Doc,” is a board-certified gastroenterologist and the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Digestive Health.
