Parenting a Child with Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity
Getting a diagnosis of celiac disease for your child can be both a relief and scary: a relief because you finally know what is wrong and scary because you’re worried about your child’s well-being. The only treatment for celiac disease is to completely eliminate gluten from their diets.
The resources on this page can help you as you care for your child. The resources here can also be helpful for children with non-celiac gluten sensitivity or NCGS, also known as gluten intolerance.
Transitioning your child to a gluten-free diet can feel overwhelming and confusing at times. You may feel unsure of how to keep your child safe while still allowing them to experience the joys of being a kid. With preparation and support, your child can stay safe, have fun, and enjoy a variety of delicious foods.
When a child has celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, the changes that need to be made for their health and well-being can affect the whole family. Talk to everyone in your household to get them on board to make helpful, healthy changes.
Resources
Getting Started on a Gluten-Free Diet
The Gluten-Free Diet: Facts & Myths
Celiac Disease Testing in Children
Transitioning Your Child to a Gluten-Free Diet
Healthy Gluten-Free Eating Guidelines
Easy to Find & Easy to Fix Meals and Snacks
Avoiding Cross-Contact with Gluten
Find a Dietitian (with knowledge of gluten issues)
[Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics]
Gluten-Free Safety at School – Your Child’s 504 Plan (on Gluten.org)
504 Plan FAQ (U.S. Dept. of Education)
504 Plan Resource Guide (U.S. Dept. of Education)
Gluten-Free Safety at School – 504 Plan
School Trip Letter (downloadable/editable Word doc)
While these two articles are not written specifically for teens, they mention teens in the context of symptoms and also ways to support them after diagnosis.
Celiac Disease Explained: Through Ages & Stages
Supporting & Encouraging Gluten-Free Loved Ones
The 2022 Generation GF Teen Summit has not yet been announced.
For Your Kids
Generation GF
Check out our program designed specifically for gluten-free kids: Generation GF.
Generation GF is a program of GIG that is all about kids, teens, and young adults. From educational resources, to a magazine subscription and a free membership, to local support groups with fun events for kids to meet others just like them, Generation GF has your kids covered from A-Z! Click here to learn more.
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