My son has a drinking problem.
It's not what you think. My son just turned 6 years old and he isn't throwing back Jack and Cokes. But he does have a problem.
Before he was diagnosed with Celiac disease over 2 years ago, he drank, but he didn't eat. He would drink water, milk, juice, but he didn't feel well enough to eat. After starting the gluten free diet, he felt better, he drank less and ate more. He got healthier.
But every now and then he falls off the wagon. His stomach hurting, his system is out of whack because of small traces of gluten and he starts to drink, but not eat.
This summer we traveled quite a bit. Every family member we visited on the road was kind and thoughtful about what types of food JT could eat. Even though they looked out for him, he existed on a diet of mostly Cheetos and Sprite/milk/water/juice. Also, during the first week off from school, he broke his arm after he jumped off a play set. I am sad to admit, that I have given into his drink requests more often than not because I just feel so darn bad for him. First the whole no gluten thing, now the whole you can't go in the lake thing. Ugh.
By the time we returned from our travels, his face was gaunt and he looked like he'd lost weight. Even though he is so much better than before, he still cannot afford to lose any weight.
Back at home, we've tried to get him on a routine because that's how he thrives the most. Eating at more regular times. Grilling chicken and fish. Cutting up fresh veggies like cucumbers and carrots that he loves.
We have been a gluten free family for 2 1/2 years now. We should have a handle on all this. And for the most part we do. But I would be lying if I said we were pros.
He isn't the only one that fell off the wagon. I too need to jump back on board and pay attention to making sure he is filling up on good healthy, gluten free foods. I need to continue to educate myself with foods he likes that he is able to eat.
It is especially important to find a better balance for both of us because in two short weeks, he is going to first grade. All day in school. I will send him with a gluten free lunch and keep my fingers crossed that he eats it and doesn't trade food like my other (non Celiac) kids do in the cafeteria.
Here are a few places I am turning to for help getting back on the food wagon for back to school:
100 Gluten Free School Lunch Ideas from Gluten Freeville.com
Tips for making the "gluten free grade" at Celiac.com
Gluten free School Lunch Recipes and Tips from about.com
It's not what you think. My son just turned 6 years old and he isn't throwing back Jack and Cokes. But he does have a problem.
Before he was diagnosed with Celiac disease over 2 years ago, he drank, but he didn't eat. He would drink water, milk, juice, but he didn't feel well enough to eat. After starting the gluten free diet, he felt better, he drank less and ate more. He got healthier.
But every now and then he falls off the wagon. His stomach hurting, his system is out of whack because of small traces of gluten and he starts to drink, but not eat.
This summer we traveled quite a bit. Every family member we visited on the road was kind and thoughtful about what types of food JT could eat. Even though they looked out for him, he existed on a diet of mostly Cheetos and Sprite/milk/water/juice. Also, during the first week off from school, he broke his arm after he jumped off a play set. I am sad to admit, that I have given into his drink requests more often than not because I just feel so darn bad for him. First the whole no gluten thing, now the whole you can't go in the lake thing. Ugh.
By the time we returned from our travels, his face was gaunt and he looked like he'd lost weight. Even though he is so much better than before, he still cannot afford to lose any weight.
Back at home, we've tried to get him on a routine because that's how he thrives the most. Eating at more regular times. Grilling chicken and fish. Cutting up fresh veggies like cucumbers and carrots that he loves.
We have been a gluten free family for 2 1/2 years now. We should have a handle on all this. And for the most part we do. But I would be lying if I said we were pros.
He isn't the only one that fell off the wagon. I too need to jump back on board and pay attention to making sure he is filling up on good healthy, gluten free foods. I need to continue to educate myself with foods he likes that he is able to eat.
It is especially important to find a better balance for both of us because in two short weeks, he is going to first grade. All day in school. I will send him with a gluten free lunch and keep my fingers crossed that he eats it and doesn't trade food like my other (non Celiac) kids do in the cafeteria.
Here are a few places I am turning to for help getting back on the food wagon for back to school:
100 Gluten Free School Lunch Ideas from Gluten Freeville.com
Tips for making the "gluten free grade" at Celiac.com
Gluten free School Lunch Recipes and Tips from about.com
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