I have written before about Cuyler being gluten and dairy/casein free.
It has often posed challenges. Especially in the early days.
We started back in early 2005 when Cuyler was 2 years old. We noticed changes immediately and knew that this was going to be a long term lifestyle for us.
The big problem was accessibility. The products available to us were limited. There were few options and we had to drive out of town for his food. Also? It tasted like soggy cardboard.
The other problem was the cost. That hasn’t changed unfortunately. I was grocery shopping with a girlfriend a few weeks ago and her jaw dropped when she realized how much I paid for the very few groceries I bought.
We started back in early 2005 when Cuyler was 2 years old. We noticed changes immediately and knew that this was going to be a long term lifestyle for us.
The big problem was accessibility. The products available to us were limited. There were few options and we had to drive out of town for his food. Also? It tasted like soggy cardboard.
The other problem was the cost. That hasn’t changed unfortunately. I was grocery shopping with a girlfriend a few weeks ago and her jaw dropped when she realized how much I paid for the very few groceries I bought.
Cut to the present…everyone knows what gluten free is, right? Right. It’s kinda the trendy thing.
It’s kinda like autism. Everyone knows someone who is gluten intolerant or who has celiac.
I can include myself in that. I found that going gluten free has gotten rid of my belly bloat and I just generally feel better. From the inside out – better.
I can include myself in that. I found that going gluten free has gotten rid of my belly bloat and I just generally feel better. From the inside out – better.
I love that I can go anywhere and find gluten free options. It’s a bit tricky with the dairy free limit on him but boy shopping sure has changed. With so many companies jumping on the gluten free bandwagon – his food is pretty much mainstream now. And labeling has made shopping SO much easier.
Look at what will be available in stores soon:
I pick these up in the States (or get my friends to) for a special treat for him:
At our local RC Superstore I can get most all of Cuyler’s favourites:
At our local RC Superstore I can get most all of Cuyler’s favourites:
PC Brown Rice Spaghetti
UDI’s gluten free bread. Bagels. Buns. Muffins…Love this stuff! Best gf bread I have eaten in seven years.
Kinnickinnick Pancake and waffle mix has been a staple in our pantry since ’05. It’s the best we found in the beginning and haven’t found anything better since!
And I think this was THE best present I could have received this Christmas. I have been trying to find (or make – haha!) and mac and cheese for Cuyler for 7 years. Many gluten free varieties are available. But none that are dairy free as well. I was surfing the net looking for coupons for some frozen gf products that I had recently fallen in love with when I came across this:
I flipped! I had been looking for this for 7 years. My poor little boy was deprived of a childhood staple. Mac & Cheese…who doesn’t love mac and cheese??? The problem was finding it. Our store carries Amy’s products but very limited options. I told my visiting-from-BC-sister about it. She was spending the day in Toronto and came home with a bag full.
She. Found. Them. Squeeee!
I was worried that they would taste like dirty shoes and here we had a giant bag of them.
I cooked one for him and it was love at first bite. I tried some.
I was worried that they would taste like dirty shoes and here we had a giant bag of them.
I cooked one for him and it was love at first bite. I tried some.
It is delicious. Totally delicious.
He has eaten one each day for about 2 weeks. I have 3 left and have yet to find them locally so Sean and I are on the hunt for them. Oh and FYI – they are $6.49. EACH. ouch.
So while the option and access to gluten free food has greatly expanded, unfortunately Cuyler’s palate has not. He is very self limiting in what he can eat. That’s why finding the mac and cheez was so important. Just adding one new option to his diet makes my life so much easier.
I am very excited about what other new products we’ll soon find to get my boy eating.
Any other GF peeps out there? C’mon. I know there are…
Care to share your fave GF products?
Although I do not have an allergy to glutton, I think my body does not care for it. I have almost cut out all my use of wheat products, not trying to eliminate them from many of the foods I like (think sauces, ect.) Anyway, I actually have a food I make. I don’t know where in Canada you live (I am on the east of of Toronto) I actually sell a glutton free product called “tamales”. If he likes Mexican food this gives you another option. Unfortunately I do not ship them at this time as that would be pretty expensive. If you ever find yourself in Oshawa give me a ring.
https://www.facebook.com/thetamalegirl
I would never promote my biz on here, but you did ask for products. 🙂
Good luck on continuing to find healthy yummy food for your little boy (he sure is a cutie!)
Have you checked http://www.glutenfreely.com/
I believe the products are mostly General Mills but there is a wealth of information as well as products available in-stores and to purchase online. I too shudder at the $8 mini loaf of bread. I am trying to find a recipe I can make myself that is tasty and less expensive and of course the lunch box staple – granola bars (nut free for school).
Totally forgot about that fact & I got two kids — must mean I need more coffee : )
YES! The Chex has become another snack option to send in his lunch. Unfortunately the honey nut variety have to stay home!
Hi Sue! The Rice Krispies have not hit the shelves yet – but they are coming right here in Canada!!
A friend of the family works for Kellogg’s and gave us a few boxes to sample!
The Gluten Free Chex cereal is awesome, both as a cereal and just to snack on. I love the Honey Nut flavor myself and so do the kids
Christine….I have read your blogs on many occasions and I just wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that I think you are an AMAZING mom!! WOW! All these things that you do and the lengths you go to to make it better and better for all your kids is just incredible. I am also a mom of 3 kids and I just wanted to tell you that you are truly amazing. :]
We did try it a few times – I didn’t like it much (I found it had a bit of a greyish cast to it once cooked – maybe it was a brown rice variety? I can’t remember…) and Martin didn’t love it either. I think more than anything, I just loathe spending beaucoup monies for food that tastes/behaves badly. That makes me stabby. Grrrrr…
Hi! Congrats on going gluten free because of your son! It is hard, I have celiac disease and still don’t follow it 100% :(. I’m SO excited that CHEX has finally arrived in Canada and it’s GF – Udi’s bagels and bread I’ve got to say are my fav for sandwiches, they actually taste like somewhat normal bread, especially when toasted. IF you don’t mind me asking, where did you find the GF rice krispies, was that in the States?
YES! Tinkyada is amazing! I usually shop at RCSS but when I go to Metro I’m always sure to buy Tinkyada!
I find with any gf bread (incl Udi’s) its best to give it a really really light toast before making a sandwich.
Got it! My friend was able to grab 10 boxes and ordered 2 cases from The Big Carrot.
yes – we have a pretty good Natural Value section at our local RCSS (and other grocery stores) and they all carry Amys. The problem is the selections vary greatly from store to store so I’ve been calling the stores and getting people to check for me if the carry this specific product. Luckily I was able to find it!!
Tracey, have you tried the Tinkyada pasta? It is really delicious and doesn’t have the goopy texture that some of the rice pastas have. The PC is the same – very good!
I love the Tinkadya (sp) brown rice noodles. The lasagna ones are really good, used them for rest of my family and my MIL too when she was here and nobody really noticed the difference. I just bought the UDI’s sandwich bread today and am looking forward to trying it and having a sandwich again! I love the Glutino pretzels, they are my go to snack food. Plus Glutino sends out awesome coupons!
Hooray! I will continue my search too. I have a Trader Joe’s shopping date with my pal Danyel, another vigilant gluten/dairy free mama, on the 15th. I’m excited to create a care package for you. LOVE finding out about the cereal!
I am not sure where you live but the independent, loblaws super stores all have a GF section and I am sure I have seen this brand that you are looking for. I also have celiac and one of the other places that has really amazing tasting stuff is farm boy but again I am not sure where you are located. I am in Ottawa and all the grocery stores here now have a section big and small.
I have an almost 16 year old daughter who is most likely in gluten intolerant. If she stays away from it no tummy pain. First day back to school I notice she has taken a gluten filled bun to school. UGH I quickly paced some fruit and yogurt for her. We are waiting for a call to see a gastroenteritis for further testing.
Oh man, I’m having the worst time with this stuff. Fortunately (or not) my husband has given up the idea of substituting bread-items, since just about everything we’ve tried just tastes terrible. And the cost? Just shoot me.
I think we’ve found a corn pasta that works well, and doesn’t look grey when it’s cooked, like some of the rice ones we’ve tried. I’m so thrilled for you that you’ve found a mac & cheese that Cuy can eat! And loves!! Sorry about the price… I’m hopeful that the price on these “specialty” items will come down, given the growing need.
Looking forward to the gluten-free rice krispies too…
I love Amy’s products!
I know you’ve probably seen this, but maybe they could order the Mac&Cheese in for you?
http://grandmasglutenfreegoods.com/
Dude – honestly Cuy’s smile is the best smile in the entire world.