Essential Gluten-Free Alternatives

Whether you choose to eat gluten-free by choice or out of necessity for your health, it can be a challenge to find healthy alternatives. During January, National Gluten-Free Day acknowledges those living a GF lifestyle by sharing insights and tips to make it a successful journey.

Gluten is the naturally occurring protein found in the wheat plant and other grains, including rye, barley, triticale, malt, some oats, brewer’s yeast, and wheat starch. When reading labels for gluten-free products, wheat-free does not always mean gluten-free. Wheat-free items may still contain spelt (a form of wheat), rye, or barley-based ingredients.

When manufacturers are producing gluten-free alternatives for wheat-based products containing flour such as breads, muffins, pasta, etc., they often replace the wheat with flour made from potato, rice, tapioca, and corn. Unfortunately, these flours are often lacking in vitamins and minerals found in wheat-based products. This is because whole wheat naturally provides a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but the FDA also requires many wheat-based products to be fortified with B vitamins to ensure the U.S. population is getting adequate essential nutrients.

The same process is not widely followed for gluten-free alternatives, so it’s wise to be mindful of making sure you’re getting essential nutrients from other sources.

Advocating For Your Child

If your child is enrolled and follows a gluten-free diet, please make sure your school has a Parent Request for Food or Milk Substitution Form on file. It must be signed by both you (the parent or guardian) and the child’s healthcare provider.

Additional forms may be needed depending on the state you live in. If a gluten-free diet is followed due to a severe allergy, a Severe Allergy Packet must also be completed and on file with us.

There are plenty of healthy and delicious options available on our menu throughout each season for children following a gluten-free diet. Those items include (but are not limited to):

• Brown rice
• Beef
• Chex cereal
• Chicken burgers
• GF pasta
• Granola (labeled “GF Oats”)
• Grilled chicken nuggets
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Hummus
• Beans and lentils
• Milk and yogurt
• Soy milk and soy yogurt
• Sun butter
• Tofu
• Turkey
• Fruits and vegetables