If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with coeliac disease, you could be eligible to receive gluten free foods on prescription. Simply select your country of residence, and, if you live in England, fill in your postcode to check if your area is prescribing.
Your country is prescribing gluten free foods*. Request your Glutafin Taster Box by clicking the button below to sign up.
* Please note: local policies are constantly updated, and issuing a prescription is at the discretion of your GP.
Finding gluten free foods that your children will eat and enjoy away from home can be a difficult task for any parent. If your child has been diagnosed with coeliac disease and can only eat gluten free food, it can be a real challenge.
At home, you can take care to provide healthy and tasty gluten free food, free of the risk of cross contamination or accidental gluten ingestion. But when you’re counting on others to select the ingredients and prepare the food, you need to be extra vigilant.
Fortunately, you’ll find a lot of places that will be happy to accommodate your child’s special dietary needs, especially if you give them plenty of notice.
The Food Standards Agency guidance states that ‘all food business operators in the retail and catering sector are required to provide allergen information and follow labelling rules as set out in food law’, and that ‘food business operators must handle and manage food allergens effectively in food preparation.’
This means that you should be able to easily identify gluten free foods on the menu of any restaurant or takeaway when you’re eating out. If you’re planning to visit a specific restaurant, it’s worth checking their menu online, or calling ahead, to see what gluten free food options are available.
Unfortunately, the same strict food labelling laws don’t always apply when you’re on holiday abroad. However, most tour operators and hotels will be happy to accommodate your need for gluten free food if you let them know in advance. If they can’t, then choose a different hotel that can.
If you are eating out abroad, it’s best to stick to dishes that you know only contain gluten free foods. Don’t be afraid to ask the restaurant how their food is prepared, so you can assess the risk of cross contamination.
Birthday parties are a highlight for young children, with bouncy castles and birthday treats, but they can also bring lots of temptation to stray away from gluten free foods. The best way to deal with this is with a two-pronged approach.
Firstly, emphasise to your child how important it is that they stick to their gluten free diet, however good the party snacks may look. Then, get in touch with the organisers of the party and explain your child’s dietary requirements. You could volunteer to send along some gluten free food, such as sandwiches and cakes, so that your child doesn’t feel like they’re missing out.
The School food standards practical guide states that ‘Schools and caterers should work closely with parents to support children with medical needs, allergies or intolerances’. This means that your school is obliged to provide gluten free food for your child on request.
Before your child starts a new school, or as soon as possible after they have been diagnosed with coeliac disease, you should get in touch with the school to discuss their dietary requirements and make sure that the school understands how to keep your child safe.
Once again, it’s important to make sure that your child understands the importance of only eating gluten free food and the dangers of sharing snacks and sandwiches with other children.
Whether you’re eating out at home or abroad, at a party or at school, it’s always a good idea to have some gluten free foods handy just in case. Keep some treats in the car or pack some snacks in their school bag and they’ll never be tempted to stray from their gluten free diet when they’re hungry.
For more help and support, for both you and your child, download our free, kid-friendly guide to coeliac disease here.
If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with coeliac disease, you could be eligible to receive gluten free foods on prescription. Simply select your country of residence, and, if you live in England, fill in your postcode to check if your area is prescribing.
Your country is prescribing gluten free foods*. Request your Glutafin Taster Box by clicking the button below to sign up.
* Please note: local policies are constantly updated, and issuing a prescription is at the discretion of your GP.