Gluten Free On The Food Program?

[butterfly]

Anyone have any menu ideas that are gluten free and credible for the food program? I eat gluten free and dairy free myself, but I feel I'm stuck in a rut as far as menus go.

Rice, rice cakes, oatmeal, and grits are getting old.

Thanks for the help!

[MizzCheryl]

Do you buy GF Bisquik mix. I make biscuits and muffins from that, BUT! I make them small as it is expensive. I also but GF cormeal and make cormeal muffins. Our Walmart has GF pancake mix too. I haven't tried it cause it is too expensive. I buy plain rice flour in the ethnic food section for $1.50 for a 1lb bag. I bake and make gravies with it, it is super cheap for GF and if you use baking powder and mess around with the recipe it can be pretty good. I mean kids that are used to regular bread may not love it but If you are GF it is ok.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by butterfly

Anyone have any menu ideas that are gluten free and credible for the food program? I eat gluten free and dairy free myself, but I feel I'm stuck in a rut as far as menus go.

Rice, rice cakes, oatmeal, and grits are getting old.

Thanks for the help!

Don't forget potato.

[SilverSabre25]

buy a nice gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or mix your own. bake and cook away.

bob's red mill has nice mixes as do a few other brands.

you can buy gf cookies, crackers, pretzels, breads, and other products. check at a nice big grocery store or natural foods store. Ask if you can't find them. I like Udi's and Rudi's, also Glutino for these things. You can also order things online. LMK if you want a couple good online sources.

just because it's not gluteny doesn't mean it's not a grain.

You can also cook quinoa, amaranth, and lots of other grains. Some legumes and things may count in the grain category as well (which really ought to be named starches anyway).

Finally, unless the kids you're feeding are also GF then buy the conventional stuff for them and the special stuff for you to cut down on costs. I buy gf stuff for me and DH and all our baked goods are GF because I am able to buy an all-purpose flour in bulk from a co-op so it's pretty cheap (as these things go anyway). But anything purchased is conventional for them.

[MizzCheryl]

Originally Posted by Michael

Don't forget potato.

You would think you could count potatoes as a starch. But according to the food program they are vegetables. Any diet in the world counts them as a starch

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I am the only one allergic (Celiacs) to gluten so I make and eat gluten free things for myself. The children are loaded up with gluten daily ...

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist

I am the only one allergic (Celiacs) to gluten so I make and eat gluten free things for myself. The children are loaded up with gluten daily ...

Yep, that's me too, but my son also needs gf/cf. He's school age so he isn't here a lot, but I do serve him snacks after school which qualify for the food program. I do most things from scratch, but try to serve him something comparable to what the other kids are eating.

I use lots of udi's and rudi's, glutino, some mixes, etc but these are all expensive alternatives, as I'm sure you know. I think I'll have to start making things in bulk, ahead of time and freezing them to use when needed.

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by Clueless

Do you buy GF Bisquik mix. I make biscuits and muffins from that, BUT! I make them small as it is expensive. I also but GF cormeal and make cormeal muffins. Our Walmart has GF pancake mix too. I haven't tried it cause it is too expensive. I buy plain rice flour in the ethnic food section for $1.50 for a 1lb bag. I bake and make gravies with it, it is super cheap for GF and if you use baking powder and mess around with the recipe it can be pretty good. I mean kids that are used to regular bread may not love it but If you are GF it is ok.

I've used the bisquik mix and made lots of yummy things with it. I've found some great recipes for their mix online at betty crocker.

Originally Posted by SilverSabre25

buy a nice gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or mix your own. bake and cook away.

bob's red mill has nice mixes as do a few other brands.

you can buy gf cookies, crackers, pretzels, breads, and other products. check at a nice big grocery store or natural foods store. Ask if you can't find them. I like Udi's and Rudi's, also Glutino for these things. You can also order things online. LMK if you want a couple good online sources.

just because it's not gluteny doesn't mean it's not a grain.

You can also cook quinoa, amaranth, and lots of other grains. Some legumes and things may count in the grain category as well (which really ought to be named starches anyway).

Finally, unless the kids you're feeding are also GF then buy the conventional stuff for them and the special stuff for you to cut down on costs. I buy gf stuff for me and DH and all our baked goods are GF because I am able to buy an all-purpose flour in bulk from a co-op so it's pretty cheap (as these things go anyway). But anything purchased is conventional for them.

silver - I'd love some online sources!! I do make my own rice flour blend for baking. (rice flour, tapioca flour, and potato starch) It helps cut costs alittle.

Just running out of ideas....

Thank you to everyone for your input and help! I appreciate it so much!!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Originally Posted by butterfly

Yep, that's me too, but my son also needs gf/cf. He's school age so he isn't here a lot, but I do serve him snacks after school which qualify for the food program. I do most things from scratch, but try to serve him something comparable to what the other kids are eating.

I use lots of udi's and rudi's, glutino, some mixes, etc but these are all expensive alternatives, as I'm sure you know. I think I'll have to start making things in bulk, ahead of time and freezing them to use when needed.

Yes, buy an all purpose GF flour! That is so helpful!

Would it be possible for your SA child to sit in the kitchen (or somewhere the kids aren't) just so he can eat something different and not feel bad about it? I'm just thinking of ways to simplify your life.

Also, you could just do fruits/vegetables and milk (or milk substitute) for snack since those are always GF.

Van's Cinnamon French Toast Sticks. They are Gluten Dairy and Egg Free. My kids love them.

[melilley]

Yes! Thank you for asking this. I just had a boy start who is gluten and dairy free and I don't have any experience with gluten free diets! His mom is bringing stuff for his first week, but I needed ideas to go over with her for the food program!

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Van's Cinnamon French Toast Sticks. They are Gluten Dairy and Egg Free. My kids love them.

We only have one grocery store in my town and a walmart. Neither carries them. I did find a Van's cereal at Walmart recently. It was amazing! I think I'll have to do an internet search. I was so impressed with the cereal, I'd be willing to try other products from them too.

[SilverSabre25]

I have ordered from here a couple times:

http://www.glutenfreepalace.com/

Also, this, which is like a groupon for GF stuff: http://www.glutenfreesaver.com/

[Thetotspot]

i am so lucky to live in a town of less than 700 people with a grocery store literally right across the street from my daycare...and it has a lot of bobs red mill stuff for cheaper than the bigger stores in the neighboring towns. my daycare has been gluten free for about a month with not a lot of price difference thank goodness. (we do all fresh fruits, gluten free, vegetables are either fresh or frozen steamed). the kids are doing great on it...but i digress. a couple weeks ago i purchased a four pound bag of pamelas pancake and baking mix from the natural food coop the next town over. it was $20 which was a lot (can buy cheaper from amazon by 33%). but that stuff...bisquick cant hold a candle to it. we had pumpkin muffins made from it today...amazing. i gave one to one of the parents...she tur ed her nose up because she hates the gluten free stuff she has tried as she has a family member that is glutem free. but she liked it. we all loved them!

[MissAnn]

Originally Posted by Thetotspot

i am so lucky to live in a town of less than 700 people with a grocery store literally right across the street from my daycare...and it has a lot of bobs red mill stuff for cheaper than the bigger stores in the neighboring towns. my daycare has been gluten free for about a month with not a lot of price difference thank goodness. (we do all fresh fruits, gluten free, vegetables are either fresh or frozen steamed). the kids are doing great on it...but i digress. a couple weeks ago i purchased a four pound bag of pamelas pancake and baking mix from the natural food coop the next town over. it was $20 which was a lot (can buy cheaper from amazon by 33%). but that stuff...bisquick cant hold a candle to it. we had pumpkin muffins made from it today...amazing. i gave one to one of the parents...she tur ed her nose up because she hates the gluten free stuff she has tried as she has a family member that is glutem free. but she liked it. we all loved them!

We are gluten free here too! We use corn tortillas, rice cakes and brown rice a lot! Oh, and homemade tortillas with masa harina. I've got most of the kids eating black beans and even requesting them! Wish we didn't have to serve milk.

[canadiancare]

I bought a vitamix with the grain container and make my own flours. Daughter is GF (she's 16) and it was easier for the whole family to join her.

I just reinvent staples in a gluten free manner. It takes some tweaking but the results are worth it.