Can you believe that H has been wheat free for almost TWO months now? Time sure flies when you're closely monitoring every morsel of food in your house *yawn*.
We had some friends over for dinner last week and there was a loaf of garlic bread that had been sitting in the freezer since we started H on his diet.
"Maybe we should try a gradual re-introduction of wheat?"
I suggested, holding the loaf in my hands, desperately craving some buttery, garlicky deliciousness. H had a piece with his roast turkey dinner and there were no noticable changes. A great start!
A couple of days later, in a moment of laziness, M gave H 2 weetbix for breakfast and packed some Scooby Snacks in his lunch box. You wouldn't believe it. Throughout the day he complained that he wasn't feeling well and his carer commented that his behaviour was really off - he was excessively emotional and difficult to please. This coming from her is a big deal, she usually has nothing but praise for our kids.
So, that's all the evidence I need. The changes in his sleeping patterns since the elimination of wheat and the changes since the re-introduction are blatantly obvious. Our little guy is definitely wheat intolerant. Although I'm glad that we have an answer, I guess I'm also a little disappointed. A part of me was hoping that I might be wrong, that we wouldn't need to continue doing this wheat free dance, but it seems we do!
I can tell you though that we've made some wonderful discoveries in the process. Although my wheat free baking needs improvement (hello deflated breast jam drops), I have knocked up some killer loaves of bread. The Orgran Multigrain Bread Mix with Quinoa and Chia is AMAZING. All of the kids loved it, as did I. Fresh from the oven with some butter and honey, it is to die for. The Orgran Farm Animals Rice and Corn Vegetable Pasta is also great, the kids love it for both the shapes and the flavour.
Breakfast has either been eggs, oats, rice bubbles or corn flakes, it turned out to be a very easy meal to substitute. It's only the snacks that we've had a slight struggle with. Considering he can't handle too much dairy either, and he's not a big fruit eater, and he can't have carrot, which WAS a staple snack, he has some days when it seems like he only eats rice crackers! But we're working on it.
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| Deflated breast jam drops |
Can you suggest any winning gluten free snacks?
No but I am thinking of testing my kids to see if there s anything I should be watching in their diet, especially p, he doesn't sleep at night too well and He is a roller coaster of emotions lately . . .
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard when diet it severely restricted, and so much harder when it's little ones that you have to try an explain why they can't have x food. I think cruskits make a corn one? Though it prob has some wheat in it still, might be worth a look.
ReplyDeleteKel check out taste.com.au - type in gluten free and you'll be surprised with how mush comes up :) I had to plan a dinner one night for my bestie who is gluten free. I managed an entire dinner plan including dessert and it tasted friggen awesome! I'm so proud of you for trying to help your little man! Some would prob put it in the "too hard" basket and in the end it's the poor child who suffers and is labelled being a problem everywhere he/she goes.. All it takes is some expereimenting and perseverance! Hope this helps lovely :)
ReplyDeleteHow is H with peanuts? My youngest brother is Gluten Free, but used to flip his lid for celery and peanut butter. I'm starting to suspect L is wheat intolerant, but his mother won't get on board with the self-testing, and I refuse to spend $400 on the tests without a bit of knowledge first.
ReplyDeleteGood luck lovely, I'll keep an eye out for snacky ideas x
Don't go eating those jam drops in public (at least not near kochie). It's incredible how much food can affect behaviour. My sisters a coeliac and I was planning on making gluten free treats for her bday this week. Will post some recipes if I have any success!
ReplyDeleteI can't really help with the snacks, although the Gluten Free Vanilla Tea Biscuits I found are really nice to have in the afternoon, they are Mia's sit in the lounge and eat this while you watch Play School snack!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you've found an answer to the issues,even if it is a bit of a pain in the arse. Hopefully after a little bit longer it will just become second nature for you all.
Oh gosh, we have so many GF foods here. There's GF pastry sheets, Rice pasta and a lot of pancakes (the buckwheat Orgran ones are the best!). Chickpea flatbreads are easy to whip up and corn tortillas are a family favourite.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your journey and here's to H having many more GOOD days than bad. x
You had me at 'deflated breast jam drops'.... In seriousness, that totally sucks ass, but like the smart Carmen says, thankfully there are heaps of alternative yet tasty GF stuff, it's just a shame you'll have to sell your left kidney to afford them. No just kidding, you'll have to become a super baker/cooker! I know I'm no help but I feel for you despite my attempts to make you feel better through humour. If I lived next door I'd be banging on your door with a bottle to share and chat! Em @ Have a laugh on me!
ReplyDeleteMy husband was diagnosed as coeliac 4 years ago now and the range of GF food that has appeared in the shops since then is such an improvement. It's also handy to not just look in the healthy food aisle for wheat free snacks, a lot of 'mainstream' food is actually ok too, you just have to watch the level of intolerance (ie can he tolerate items that don't have wheat as an ingredient but could contain traces). Rice crackers are big here too, there are a few different GF muesli bar options and my kids enjoy Outback Animals (GF version of Tiny Teddies) as a treat. Popcorn is a great option too - good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, you guys have so many more gluten-free options in the States!! I love ginger snaps and Larabars. You should check out my recipe for puffed rice bars (http://www.bitesforbabies.com/recipes/healthy-coconut-carob-puffed-rice-bars/) They're healthy, gluten-free AND delicious! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely give it a go. If you want the details for the DNA test let me know. Strongly recommend it. H had wheat on the weekend and went PSYCHO. No joke. PSYCHO. Imagine if P just needed a diet change?
ReplyDeleteI've tried him on corn cakes etc but he's not a big fan. He's a wee bit fussy, our lil man!
ReplyDeleteOoooh celery and peanut butter, what a good idea! I hadn't thought of that. We don't eat much celery but it's worth a try x
ReplyDeleteHahahahahaha - GOLD!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you, it would be much appreciated :)
Yeah I think you're right, I think it will become second nature.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll have to find these biscuits you speak of.
Chick pea flat breads? Never heard of them. Sounds delish though, I might look it up, thanks x
ReplyDeleteOooh I wish you lived next door!
ReplyDeleteI did find the Outback Animals once but I haven't seen them again. I can never remember which shop I've found certain things in. You're right - popcorn is a great option!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kirsty x
My most mummy blog comment yet - We've been doing a reduced wheat thing since miss 2.5 was born. The greens outback animal cookies are like guilt free tiny teddies
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