Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsHomemade vs. PackagedGluten-Free Snack IdeasLet the Kids Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Homemade vs. Packaged
Gluten-Free Snack Ideas
Let the Kids Help
There are lots of homemade and packaged gluten-free snacks that can make snacking fun for kids. Do your kids like “ants on a log”? Celery with peanut butter and raisins on top can make for a yummy after-school snack.
This article will outline fun ways to providegluten-free snacksthat may inspire your little cooks to help in the kitchen. You can help build positive associations while making memories when kids are part of the cooking process.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Benefits of Gluten-Free Snacks
Eating gluten-free can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with:
Parents of kids withceliac disease, which can develop as early as 6 to 9 months, should be careful to read ingredient labels so that their kids don’t experience theside effectsof eating gluten.
What Is Gluten?Gluten, which acts as a glue, is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that’s used to help give foods their texture and shape. Lots of foods have gluten, including breads, crackers, cereals, cookies, muffins, and pasta. Becoming a label-reading expert is important when buying packaged goods.
What Is Gluten?
Gluten, which acts as a glue, is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that’s used to help give foods their texture and shape. Lots of foods have gluten, including breads, crackers, cereals, cookies, muffins, and pasta. Becoming a label-reading expert is important when buying packaged goods.
Symptoms of celiac disease in children may include:
When Should You Be Worried About Your Child’s Headache?
Homemade vs. Packaged Snacks
Homemade snacks, like raw veggies and homemade dip, are great because you know exactly which ingredients are in them. However, you may not always have time to whip up something quickly.
The good news is that many gluten-free packaged snacks are available. The following brands have gluten-free options:
Packaged snacks are time-savers for making lunches or a quick on-the-go snack. However, they’re not all healthy—many are loaded with salt, sugar, and fat.Candycan have unexpected ingredients too.
Read the label even if it says gluten-free on the packaging. Gluten is found inwheat, barley, and rye. Some oats contain gluten. Avoid hidden gluten-containing ingredients like:
Avoid products that contain:
These ingredients can contain gluten.If any of these ingredients are on the list, put the item back on the shelf.
30 Gluten-Free Kids Snack Ideas
Gluten-free snacks can be very simple and fun. You probably already have some gluten-free ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator.
Gluten-free Snacks for Kids' PartiesThere are lots of tasty gluten-free snacks for parties, such as:Fruit skewersYogurt-covered gluten-free pretzelsPopcornCheese and meat platterGluten-free chicken nuggets and hot dogsGluten-free cookies, cupcakes, or muffins (made with nut-based or gluten-free flour)
Gluten-free Snacks for Kids' Parties
There are lots of tasty gluten-free snacks for parties, such as:Fruit skewersYogurt-covered gluten-free pretzelsPopcornCheese and meat platterGluten-free chicken nuggets and hot dogsGluten-free cookies, cupcakes, or muffins (made with nut-based or gluten-free flour)
There are lots of tasty gluten-free snacks for parties, such as:
Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free
If your child also has a dairy intolerance, there are lots of delicious gluten-free and dairy-free snacks you can make or buy for your kids.
Dairy-Free Diet Guide
Gluten Free, Dairy-Free and Nut-Free
If you have a child with a nut and dairy allergy, making food at home ensures the ingredients are safe for your family, but there are also some safe foods you can get at the grocery store.
Think you’ve got a picky eater? Give it time. Kids might be overwhelmed with new scents, tastes, and textures. Researchers have found that children need about 15 exposures to a new food before it’s considered something they trust and a few more before knowing that they like a particular food.
Toddlers can get in on the action too. Ask them to wash fruit and veggies, or pour and mix ingredients. Older kids can peel oranges, cut soft things like bananas, measure ingredients, scoop snacks, and set the table.
How Parents Can Keep Their Kids Hydrated From Vomiting and Diarrhea
Summary
Snack time doesn’t have to be boring! And it can be a team effort. Encourage your kids to get involved and make it a fun, family affair. After washing their hands they can jump right in. Besides easy homemade snacks like veggies and dip, the grocery store has naturally gluten-free options (like popcorn), as well as many other gluten-free choices.
Become alabel expertto be sure you are offering the safest options for your kids and their friends. If you have any questions or concerns, talk with your healthcare provider, dietitian, ornutritionistto ensure you’re giving the safest ingredients to your kids.
What Causes Headaches and Stomach Aches in Children?
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Healthychildren.org.5 great reasons to cook with your kids.Celiac Disease Foundation.What is celiac disease?Celiac Disease Foundation.Non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity.Celiac Disease Foundation.Celiac disease in children.Celiac Disease Foundation.What is gluten?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dietary changes for celiac disease.Scaglioni S, De Cosmi V, Ciappolino V, Parazzini F, Brambilla P, Agostoni C.Factors influencing children’s eating behaviours.Nutrients. 2018;10(6):706. doi:10.3390/nu10060706National Institutes of Health.Getting kids in the kitchen.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Healthychildren.org.5 great reasons to cook with your kids.Celiac Disease Foundation.What is celiac disease?Celiac Disease Foundation.Non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity.Celiac Disease Foundation.Celiac disease in children.Celiac Disease Foundation.What is gluten?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dietary changes for celiac disease.Scaglioni S, De Cosmi V, Ciappolino V, Parazzini F, Brambilla P, Agostoni C.Factors influencing children’s eating behaviours.Nutrients. 2018;10(6):706. doi:10.3390/nu10060706National Institutes of Health.Getting kids in the kitchen.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Healthychildren.org.5 great reasons to cook with your kids.Celiac Disease Foundation.What is celiac disease?Celiac Disease Foundation.Non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity.Celiac Disease Foundation.Celiac disease in children.Celiac Disease Foundation.What is gluten?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dietary changes for celiac disease.Scaglioni S, De Cosmi V, Ciappolino V, Parazzini F, Brambilla P, Agostoni C.Factors influencing children’s eating behaviours.Nutrients. 2018;10(6):706. doi:10.3390/nu10060706National Institutes of Health.Getting kids in the kitchen.
Healthychildren.org.5 great reasons to cook with your kids.
Celiac Disease Foundation.What is celiac disease?
Celiac Disease Foundation.Non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity.
Celiac Disease Foundation.Celiac disease in children.
Celiac Disease Foundation.What is gluten?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Dietary changes for celiac disease.
Scaglioni S, De Cosmi V, Ciappolino V, Parazzini F, Brambilla P, Agostoni C.Factors influencing children’s eating behaviours.Nutrients. 2018;10(6):706. doi:10.3390/nu10060706
National Institutes of Health.Getting kids in the kitchen.
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