For kids allergic to wheat, it is important to come up with appealing choices for what they can eat rather than concentrating on the rather long list of what they cannot. Many favorites, such as pizza and pasta are usually made from wheat, so substitutes have to be found for these. Many gluten-free products are on the market today, but even without buying these usually expensive alternatives, you can come up with healthy and tasty meals for kids.
Avoiding Wheat Products
For protein, kids can still have their hot dogs, providing they are the all-beef variety. Even though they can't have the bun, kids probably won't miss it too much if they have catsup to dip their dogs in ketchup with some potato chips on the side; the same goes for hamburgers. Instead of macaroni and cheese, substitute a cheesy rice dish. Instead of prepared chicken nuggets, make chicken strips on skewers. Yogurt and eggs prepared any way without using wheat are also good sources of protein.
Give kids an opportunity to try out all kinds of fruits and vegetables prepared and/or served in a variety of ways as a major element in their diet; for example, some possibilities kids might enjoy include applesauce, fresh pineapple spears, baked pears, stuffed halved acorn squash and cooked baby carrots with a pinch of brown sugar. Potatoes, including sweet potatoes, can be slivered and baked in a little oil on a cookie sheet. Some kids might like to eat loaded baked potatoes with margarine, sour cream and broccoli bits. Let kids dip raw vegetables such as thin zucchini slices and tiny cauliflower flowerets into all kinds of dips (make sure to check that prepared dips are wheat-free).
Using Substitutes for Wheat
On its website, the Boston Children's Hospital lists the following substitutions for 1 cup of wheat flour: 1 cup rye meal, 1 1/4 cups rye flour, 1 cup potato flour, 11/3 cups rolled oats or oat flour, or 5/8 cup rice flour plus 1/3 cup rye flour. Although textures will vary, it is possible to use these substitutions for many ordinary recipes, especially those for cookies.
Recipes created specifically for those allergic to wheat are readily available. You can buy cookbooks devoted to such recipes or look online for a site such as the one listed in the Resource section, which includes recipes for pizza crust and chicken nuggets.
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