E119 How to Survive School Lunch When Your Child Is Gluten-Free

As parents, we want our kids to be safe, healthy, included, and able to enjoy their day at school, but there is a lot to think about when gluten is a concern.

 

School lunch can be one of the most stressful parts of sending a gluten-free child off to school. It creates a lot of worries.

 

Does the cafeteria offer gluten-free options? Is food prepared safely? Is there a risk of cross-contamination? Are cafeteria staff trained, and do they continue to receive training when staff changes?

 

And, the question many parents ask themselves:

“Do I really have time to pack my child's lunch every day?”

 

In this episode, we're talking about how to make gluten-free school lunch easier, safer, and more manageable for the whole family.

 

I'll walk you through what to look for at your child's school, why packing lunch from home may be your best option, and how to turn lunch packing into a family habit instead of one more thing that falls completely on Mom.

 

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What to ask your child's school about gluten-free food and cafeteria safety
• Why packing a gluten-free lunch from home can give you more control and peace of mind
• How to start teaching your child gluten-free skills as early as preschool
• Why planning ahead can take so much stress out of your mornings
• How to get your kids involved in preparing their own lunches as they grow
• Why it's important to keep teaching your child how to advocate for and protect themselves as they grow

And don’t miss my simple tip for families with teenagers!

 

One of the biggest messages I want you to take away from this episode is that packing a gluten-free lunch doesn't have to become another thing that Mom has to do forever.

 

Instead, you can use lunch as an opportunity to teach your child how to make choices, prepare food, plan ahead, and take responsibility for their gluten-free life.

 

The goal isn't simply to get a gluten-free lunch into their backpack.

 

The goal is to help your child learn the skills they need to live gluten-free safely and confidently . . . now and as they grow.

 

And remember: every school is different. Start by finding out what your child's school already has in place. Talk with the school, ask questions, understand their policies and procedures, and then decide what will work best for your family.

 

And - if you’re NOT sending kids to school, but head off to work - you will find tips and strategies you CAN use!

 

🎧 Don't miss next week's episode!

To follow this episode, next week we'll get into the fun part: gluten-free lunch ideas you can actually pack and send to school.

 

So make sure you come back for that one!

 

And if you know another mom who is sending a gluten-free child to school, share this episode with her.

 

Let's make gluten-free life a little easier for more families.

 

Continue to grow your gluten-free lifestyle:

**FREE RESOURCE: Gluten-Free School Checklist: Want to make sure you're thinking beyond just lunch when it comes to keeping your child safe at school? Grab my Gluten-Free School Checklist to help you work through the questions and considerations that come with sending your gluten-free child to school. It's designed to help you think through gluten-free safety from preschool through high school. Grab your copy here.

**Need help making gluten-free life easier for your family? Set up a FREE 15-minute GF Growth Strategy Call If you're feeling overwhelmed by everything that goes into keeping your family safely gluten-free, you don't have to figure it all out alone. Reach out and let's talk about where you're struggling and what kind of support would help you create a gluten-free life that actually works for your family.

Choose a date here for a free chat: https://bit.ly/here2schedule

Check out our website for more inspiration, resources, and amazing recipes: https://glutenfreemarcksthespot.com/

 

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