Wheat Free Diet for Children

A wheat free diet, or gluten-free diet, can benefit children with medical conditions, such as autism. Although autistic children seem to do well on this diet, the reasons are not yet clear to scientists. This type of diet also is recommended for children with celiac disease, as well as children who have an allergy to wheat. Wheat is found in many products, such as bread, cakes, processed foods, fast food, and cereal. Avoiding wheat in foods just involves a little extra planning.

Read Food Labels

Read food labels to be sure you do not buy products that contain wheat or gluten. According to the Mayo Clinic, wheat has many names. Avoid all gluten-containing grains such as barley, rye, farina, graham flour, semolina, durham, kasha, matzo meal, spelt, triticale, kumut, and bulgur. It is not always easy to spot wheat on food labels because it is usually hidden in the middle or at the bottom of a long list of ingredients. Wheat is found in many frozen food dishes, pastry products, fig newtons, crackers, salad dressings, and some canned goods.

Feeding your child a gluten-free diet may be a challenge at first, but after you know what foods to pick, following the plan will be automatic. Parents who have children with a wheat allergy often decide to go on the diet or encourage their entire family to eat wheat free foods. If the entire family goes on the diet, the child with the allergy will not feel left out.

Buy Whole Foods

Buy whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, when shopping at the store. Good choices include dark green leafy lettuce, apples, carrots, apricots, strawberries, nectarines, blueberries, raspberries, squash, cucumbers, kale, and other green vegetables.

Plan your meals around your child's diet. Many delicious, healthy foods do not contain wheat. You and your family may even develop a greater taste for vegetables.

Children on a gluten-free diet still need good nutrition. They can get all the vitamins and minerals needed from vegetable sources or lean meats.

Sometimes children who have a wheat allergy are also allergic to other foods like eggs or nuts. Have your child tested. If he is not allergic, eggs and nuts these foods are still are good choices, because they contain omega-3 fatty acids. These foods contain healthy fats, needed for heart and brain development. However, you can also get omega-3 fats from salmon, cod liver oil, olive oil, and grapeseed oil. If your child does not like cod liver oil try blending it with some juice or buy lemon-flavored oil. Many children will also develop a taste for salmon if it is flavored with herbs, butter, oils, and even tartar sauce. Healthy fats are vital for growing children.

Avoid buying fast food. Many fast foods contain wheat, such as the breading for chicken nuggets or a hamburger bun. There are healthy fast food choices, but if you are not sure if a certain food contains wheat, ask. Some good fast food choices include apple dippers, fruit and walnut salads, green salads, grilled chicken without the bread, and fruit bowls.

Lean Meats, Grain Options and Hydration

Buy lean meats like chicken, turkey, buffalo, and lean beef. Children on a wheat free diet also need protein. Protein helps to build lean muscle tissue needed for growth. Protein contains iron and B vitamins, which are needed for energy.

If your child loves bread he or she may have a hard time giving it up. You can go to your local health food store and look for gluten-free breads. These breads are sprouted breads with very tightly packed grains. The gluten has been removed or the bread is made some other way. A common brand is Ezekiel bread. Most health food stores carry this type of bread.

Hydration is also vital for children on a gluten-free diet. Be sure your child is getting plenty of pure water to drink. Water transports nutrients to cells, and carries out waste. Bring water with you on trips and be sure to drink plenty of water yourself. Children with a wheat allergy also can drink other beverages like raw carrot juice, apple juice, tea, and unsweetened drinks.

There are some gluten-free dessert options, which can be given in small quantities, such as pudding, jello, and cakes and cookies.