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A Guide to the Gluten-Free Diet for Kids

If your child has celiac disease they will need to adhere to a strict gluten-free diet. That said, it’s always best to consult with your child’s doctor or dietitian before eliminating gluten from your child’s diet.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and their derivatives, such as malt and brewer’s yeast. A gluten-free diet involves avoiding all products containing these ingredients. Individuals who are gluten-free can still enjoy a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, beans, legumes, and most dairy products, as these are naturally gluten-free.

For children with celiac disease, following a gluten-free diet is the only way to maintain their health. Unfortunately, they do not “grow out” of celiac disease. There is no medicine or shot that can cure it.

When children with celiac disease stick to a gluten-free diet, their intestines are able to heal, and these kids will once again absorb the vitamins and minerals required for their growth and development. Many children who follow a gluten-free diet report feeling stronger and more energized.

What is Gluten and Where is it Found?


Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, and is made up of the glutelin and prolamin proteins. Gluten acts as a glue in baking, holding dough together and giving it an elastic texture, and is what gives bread a chewy, soft texture. (Learn more about gluten.)

While most people can tolerate gluten, those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity may experience symptoms after consuming it. A gluten-free diet excludes all products containing wheat, barley, and rye ingredients. Gluten is found in many foods, even unexpected ones like sauces and soups, and can be hidden in additives in processed foods.

Luckily, there are many naturally gluten-free alternatives available.

Foods to Avoid on a Gluten-Free Diet


If your child has been diagnosed with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, it is important to avoid foods that contain gluten. The following is a list of common foods and ingredients that contain gluten and should be avoided:

  • Ingredients: wheat, barley, rye, couscous, spelt, etc.
  • Foods: bread, pizza, pasta, pancakes, waffles, cake, etc.

Oats do not contain gluten, but have a similar protein called avenin that can cause reactions in some people with celiac disease. Many dietitians recommend introducing oats into the diet only after your child has been gluten-free for a few months and symptoms have gone away.

For more information about which foods do and do not contain gluten, please refer to our “Is It Gluten-Free?” guide.

An Introduction to Gluten-Free Foods & Alternatives


A gluten-free diet can still be healthy and delicious for children. There are plenty of naturally gluten-free foods that are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, such as fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains such as quinoa and rice.

Additionally, many gluten-free products are available in grocery stores and online, including bread, pizza, pasta, and snacks, that are specially formulated to be both nutritious and tasty. With a little bit of creativity and planning, children on a gluten-free diet can enjoy a wide variety of delicious and nutritious foods.

Naturally Gluten-Free Foods

Foods that are naturally gluten-free include:

  • Fruits: apples, bananas, berries, grapes, kiwi, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapple, watermelon, etc.
  • Vegetables: carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potato, kale, spinach, etc.
  • Legumes: lentils, chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, navy beans, etc.
  • Proteins: chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, tofu, tempeh, etc.
  • Dairy products: milk, yogurt, most cheeses, etc.
  • Nuts and seeds: almonds, cashews, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.

Gluten-Free Grains

  • Rice (white, brown, black, wild)
  • Quinoa
  • Corn (including whole corn, cornmeal, masa, corn tortillas, polenta, etc.)
  • Buckwheat
  • Sorghum
  • Millet
  • Teff
  • Amaranth

Gluten-Free Flour Alternatives

  • Almond flour
  • Coconut flour
  • Chickpea flour
  • Potato flour
  • Tapioca flour
  • Cassava flour
  • Oat flour (make sure it is certified gluten-free as some oats may have cross-contact with gluten)

It’s important to note that while these grains and flours are naturally gluten-free, cross-contact can occur during processing or handling. This means that the product touches or gets mixed in with gluten grains.

If possible, buy certified gluten-free products and always check the labels before purchasing. Also note that some gluten-free flours may require additional ingredients or adjustments in recipes to achieve the desired texture and taste.

Gluten-Free Food Alternatives

Many popular foods that children enjoy contain gluten, but there are more gluten-free options available now than ever before. Some of these alternatives include:

  • Gluten-free pizza
  • Gluten-free pasta
  • Gluten-free pancake and waffle mix
  • Gluten-free cake, cupcake and brownie mixes

Over the years, significant improvements have been made in the quality and safety of gluten-free products, making it easier for children to follow a gluten-free diet without sacrificing taste or nutrition. However, it is always recommended to carefully read product labels to ensure that they are indeed gluten-free.

Gluten-Free Eating for Kids Throughout the Years


Infants

In infants, the symptoms of celiac disease usually appear after the introduction of solid foods containing gluten, such as cereals or bread. These symptoms can include diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, and poor growth. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests and sometimes an upper endoscopy with biopsy of the small intestine to confirm the diagnosis.

It’s important to diagnose celiac disease in infants as early as possible to prevent complications and ensure proper growth and development.

There is currently no evidence to support that early introduction of gluten increases the risk of celiac disease. More studies will need to be conducted in order to better understand this relationship.

Introducing Solid Foods to At-Risk Infants

When parents or siblings have been diagnosed with celiac disease, infants are deemed to be at risk of developing the disease. The quantity of gluten provided to at-risk infants may impact their likelihood of developing the condition.

According to current guidelines, at-risk infants should consume less than 5 grams of gluten-containing foods daily, starting when they are introduced to solid foods and continuing until they turn 2 years old. That equals less than an ounce of pasta or about one slice of bread.

Breastfeeding

If a mother has celiac disease, she should continue to adhere to a strict gluten-free diet while breastfeeding. The composition of breastmilk is not affected by the gluten-free diet. However, if a breastfeeding mother consumes gluten and experiences symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, or diarrhea, this could indirectly affect the baby’s feeding and growth by reducing milk supply or changing the composition of breastmilk. It’s important for mothers to work with a healthcare provider and a registered dietitian to ensure they are getting adequate nutrition while maintaining a gluten-free diet to support their own health and their baby’s growth and development.

If an infant has celiac disease but the mother does not, the mother can still eat gluten. This is because gluten molecules are too large to pass through breastmilk.

Note that whether or not a mother breastfeeds does not affect the child’s risk of developing celiac disease.

Formula

If your infant has been diagnosed with celiac disease and you are using formula, it’s important to read the ingredients carefully and check with the manufacturer to ensure that the formula is gluten-free.

Working with a healthcare provider and a registered dietitian can also be helpful in selecting an appropriate formula and ensuring that your infant is receiving adequate nutrition.

Daycare & Preschool

Sending children who follow a gluten-free diet to preschool or daycare can be challenging. It requires careful planning and communication with staff to ensure that your child’s dietary needs are met and they have safe food options available. Here are some helpful tips for parents navigating this process:

  1. Inform the daycare/preschool staff: Have a conversation with staff about your toddler’s dietary requirements and provide them with a list of safe and unsafe foods. Communication is key to ensure that your child’s needs are met.
  2. Provide gluten-free snacks and meals: Prepare and pack gluten-free snacks and meals for your child to take to daycare or preschool. This will ensure that your child has safe food options during meal and snack times.
  3. Educate your child: Teach your child about the foods that are safe for them to eat, the ones they should avoid, and why they shouldn’t share food with others. This will empower them to make safe food choices and avoid accidentally consuming gluten-containing foods.
  4. Have a backup plan: Have a backup plan in case your child accidentally consumes gluten. If your child has symptoms soon after ingesting gluten, someone may need to pick them up and take them home to rest. Let staff know who to call when this happens, and let them know that your child may feel ill or out of it the next couple of days, but that they aren’t contagious.
  5. Check in regularly: Regularly check in with the daycare or preschool staff to ensure that your child’s dietary needs are being met and address any concerns or questions they may have. If your child is regularly eating other children’s food, they may need to eat at a separate table. Some daycare centers have a separate table for children with allergies and dietary restrictions.

School-Aged Children

The gluten-free diet is confusing for anyone of any age, so it’s tempting to spare your child the details. They may already be enduring pain or sadness after a new diagnosis, so you want to choose their food for them, talk to their teachers, and pepper the server with all the questions about cross-contact and food ingredients.

While these precautions are both necessary and reassuring, keeping your child on a “need-to-know” basis won’t help in the long run. Don’t exclude your child from these activities. From grocery games to toy food parties, learning to read labels and cooking together, you can nurture your child’s gluten-free awareness from a young age. Keeping them involved in their own care can help them become an advocate for themselves.

Learn more about educating your young children about eating gluten-free in this article by our CEO, Alice Bast.

Packing a Gluten-Free Lunch

Many parents opt to pack a lunch for their child instead of relying on the school cafeteria to provide food. This can help to alleviate many concerns surrounding ingredients and preparation practices of the cafeteria. Use these tips to keep your child’s lunch both gluten-free and delicious:

  • Spend two weeks experimenting with new products and recipes. Have three envelopes in the kitchen labeled “like it,” “love it,” “hate it.” After trying something new, your child can put a slip of paper with the product or meal name in one of the envelopes. Then you’ll have go-to recipes when you aren’t in the mood to plan something new each day.
  • Get creative with spreads, dips, jams, etc. Just keep them contained in something that is truly airtight (for extra protection, store in plastic bags). Make sure they are labeled gluten-free on the package when you purchase.
  • If you have a picky eater or a child who needs to gain weight after their diagnosis, nutritional shakes, power bars and calorie powders can pack a punch. Make sure they are labeled gluten-free, and consider consulting with a registered dietitian to help with the meal plan.
  • Not everyone likes gluten-free bread. Instead, try using the same ingredients you would in a sandwich in a rolled tortilla wrap.
  • When you find a winning combo, send enough food with your child to share. That will show your child’s peers that gluten-free food is not “weird” and your child will have the opportunity to feel like a part of the group. However, make sure your child doesn’t try other children’s lunches, even if they offer. Be sure that they understand the risk trading food could pose to their health.

Resources for Older Children & Young Adults

Gluten-Free Snacks & Recipes for Kids


We maintain an updated list of recommended gluten-free snacks for kids

We also have a large collection of recipes separated into different categories:

Think you may have celiac disease?

Symptoms Checklist
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