Anyone go gluten free with teens?

[bethben]

I am considering going gluten free for my whole family.  I have four kids 12 and older.  Three boys and a very hungry little girl.  I am noticing some signs of gluten intolerance in my 15 year old in particular (he has the tell tale bumps on the back of his arm and he has mild aspergers-diagnosed).  How do I do this without breaking the bank?  I can bake no problem gluten free and change to gluten free pasta when needed, but my 15 year old tends to eat the same thing every day for lunch( (gotta stick to the routine!).  It's basically a ham and cheese sandwich on a homemade bun (better for you, but not "great").  How does one do this and even fill everyone up?!?!

[Pen]

If rice is okay for people you could go to a lot of stir fries and rice type eating instead of wheat as your grain.   Or Quinoa.  Or buckwheat maybe. 

Corn Tortillas and cheese (with ham?).

Filling soups and stews.   

 

[wintermom]

I tried with my 17 year old son who was having a lot of gut pain. We both went gluten- and dairy-free together. He absolutely hated gluten-free and chose pain over that dietary restriction.  I was fine with that.  I benefit from gluten free, but I won't force it on anyone. He isn't celiac, so it's not like the gluten is hurting him. 

I don't find gluten free expensive. I just don't go in for the pre-packaged stuff. I shop in the international foods aisle, and use coconut flour and stuff. I have nut allergies so I can't use any nut milk, butter or flour. Indian/asian food has a ton of gluten free food choices that are very inexpensive. Especially if you can tolerate the chance of cross-contamination.

[klmama]

Wait, arm bumps are related to gluten intolerance???  Are you sure?   

[bethben]

I’m gluten free and don’t buy any of the gluten free products.  I don’t even eat gf baked goods because I also have an egg intolerance (I thought maybe I was over it, ate some eggs and it wasn’t pretty).  I can easily work around gluten for myself but I don’t eat as much either and am content with vegetables or a smoothie.  It’s the high food demands of teenage boys.  
 

Also, the bumps in arms thing—I’ve heard gluten sensitivities keep some people from absorbing the good oils which can cause the bumps.  All I know is that I had those bumps on my arms my whole life.  When I gave up gluten they disappeared.

[klmama]

Interesting.  Thanks.   

Cooking GF in large quantities for ravenous boys.... Here are some meal ideas:

Breakfast:  Leftovers, including veggies.  Eggs - scrambled, boiled, fried, omelette, etc. Hot rice w/cinnamon, sweetener, and milk.  Yogurt.  GF toast w/nut butter and fresh fruit.  GF waffles (nut butter, egg, and banana OR made with GF flour).  GF muffins.  GF cereal and milk. 

Lunch and supper:  Homemade chili, soup, or stew - can serve with corn tortilla chips instead of crackers. Rice and beans with various spices.  Asian stir fry with GF soy sauce (or just use spices and salt) and rice. Quesadillas, burritos, tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, etc. using corn tortillas.  Taco salad using corn tortilla chips. GF spaghetti.  Sandwiches with GF bread and fresh veggies.  GF pizza or pizza bread.  Meat/starch/veggie meals:  chicken, fish, beef + potatoes, rice, corn, quinoa + green beans, broccoli, carrots, peas, mixed veggies.  

snacks: nuts and seeds, fresh veggies, fresh or dried fruit, popcorn, smoothies, bean dip with corn tortilla chips or veggies

Remember that fats make everything more filling and satisfying, so cooking with oil or adding it to foods that otherwise have no fats can make a huge difference. If your boys love spices, use them liberally.   

Edited November 14, 2019 by klmama

[Chris in VA]

I ate a keto diet for a few months--you might check recipes for keto buns and crackers. 

Dd's friend is gluten free and it really isn't as hard if you clean up your diet and forgo packaged foods and mixes. 

[73349]

Here is a table from somebody (whitehawk?):

	Bean	Starch	Veg	Leaf	Flavor	Bonus
French	French lentils	small potatoes (boiled) or side of gf bread	sauteed celery, carrots, onion; or green beans and tomatoes	spinach	garlic, thyme; lemon OR red wine vinegar + Dijon; salt and pepper	endive, shallot, sliced almonds or walnuts, red cabbage, rice paper bacon, or hard-boiled egg
Indian	red lentils or yellow split peas	brown rice or gf naan	eggplant, carrots, green beans, and/or tomatoes	cabbage, or use cauliflower instead	onion, curry powder	cashew cream; rice pudding and/or mango
Italian	cannellini	gf pasta (including spiralized zucchini), eggplant, polenta, or risotto	tomatoes; Brussels sprouts	kale or chard	garlic, olive, oregano, salt and pepper	roasted red pepper
Japanese	edamame	rice/ rice noodles and/or purple sweet potato	sauteed mushroom, broccoli and zucchini	Chinese cabbage or spinach	tamari or coconut aminos, ginger, sesame	spiralized carrot; peanuts and/or a fried egg; tea to drink
Mexican	black	corn	cucumber and tomato, red onion	Bibb or Romaine	guacamole, salsa, gf taco spices	roasted pineapple or sauteed banana
autumn	red kidney beans, navy beans, or chickpeas	sweet potato or butternut squash	broccoli	lettuce, kale, or spinach	onion, salt and pepper	sliced grapes, apples, and/or nuts
spring	French lentils	stuffed mushrooms	peas	Bibb or spinach	lemon, thyme	pine nuts, peaches
summer	chickpeas	gf wrap or roll, or use large lettuce leaves	corn, cucumber, tomato, zucchini, and/or green beans	spinach or whatever looks good	salt	berries, melon chunks
winter	red kidney beans, navy beans, or chickpeas	potatoes or quinoa	carrots, turnip, parsnip		orange, dash of cinnamon, maple	fresh or dried cranberries, or pomegranate seeds, or tangerine sections; pecans or walnuts

Edited October 2, 2020 by Carolina Wren

[klmama]

Whitehawk, thanks for sharing the table.  I've never heard of coconut aminos before.  How does the taste compare to soy sauce?  

[73349]

If you like soy sauce, tamari is more like it.

Edited October 2, 2020 by Carolina Wren