I am pretty sure that my grandparents run into this same kind of problem, and I will try to help you as best I can.
Fruits and Vegatables are great. I love them. But, I know that is pretty boring.
GF cookies are sold in most grocery stores, and since you can buy them pre-made and already packaged, there is no risk of contamination! The same goes for the wide variety of frozen GF entrees. If you would rather cook homemade though, the biggest challenge will be avoiding cross-contamination. Maybe your granddaughter could bring her own GF pots and cooking utensils when she comes? That way there will be minimal worries. Ask what she likes to eat. I know I enjoy pretty much all (GF) pasta. Cheesy pasta, veggie pasta, meaty pasta, plain-ish pasta. I LOVE IT ALL. Perhaps you and your granddaughter could work together on a meal that you both like and that is GF? Some ideas that I like follow..
Pasta(I told you that already)
Roast Chicken
Potatoes
-Mashed, Baked, Double-baked, Tater-Tots...
Chicken Marsala
Turkey Tettrizzini
Beef Stew
Eggs
-Omelets, Scrambled, Quiche....
Stuffed Peppers
**Most of your regualr recipes can be easily adapted to be GF. Just double-check all ingredients with your granddaughter or your son/daughter, to make sure they are GF.
Any more suggestions for her, readers??
UPDATE! Wow. Make sure to check out the comments for more absolutely fantasic ideas. Thanks for the added help!!
2 comments:
When Ty goes to his grandparents, they get some gf bread from a local farmers market, along with some chocolate chip cookies; some Chex (whatever his flavor of the month is), some lactose-free milk (since he's also lactose intolerant), and gf chips (Cool Ranch Doritos, anything from Riceworks, your grandchild probably has a fave).
They keep everything gf on a certain place on the counter that's "his" - he can go there anytime and know that the food is gf. They also take him shopping the day he gets there, so that he can pick out what he wants to eat while he's there for meals. They have stainless steel pans, but allow him to bring his own whenever he wants.
They also find things to do with him that don't revolve around food - which was weird at first (since SO much revolves around food), but now my dad will make stuff with him out in the shop, they'll go boating or walking in the woods near their house, they'll put together puzzles or play brainteaser games...he has a blast while he's there.
They don't make a big deal out of him being gf, they just let him know that whatever it takes for him to feel comfortable eating at their house, they're up for it - and then they find ways to make the food issues blend into the background. Just plain being with him becomes the focal point, and it's one of his favorite places to be. :) Hope that helps!
snacky type foods
Enjoy Life Snicker doodles!!!! I love those things!! They taste almost identical to the snicker doodles that my grandmother used to make.
Envirokidz Organic Crispy Rice bars. Personally I like the peanut choco drizzle flavor best.
Another addiction of mine, Nut-Thins Smokehouse Almond Rice crackers. I go through boxes of these at a time.
Like C.C. said, fruits and veggies. If your grand daughter doesnt like plain veggies, Hidden Valley Ranch Dip mix (the one you mix with sour cream) is GF along with many of the Kraft ranch varieties are GF. Again to avoid cross contamination if you make the dip is to label it as only hers or use plastic silverware to serve with and DO NOT use the same silverware in it again. I find that my family tends to lay a spoon on the counter that is "their counter" (i have one counter that no non GF foods are allowed on" and then they put the spoon back into the dip. So then i have to make another batch for myself (i buy the dry mix at Sam's Club)
Also Stretch Island Fruit Leathers are good too if they are sold in a store in your area. There are no preserves or thickeners in it at all, all 100% fruit.
Meals
If you have a local Whole Foods, or health market in your area, they are very helpful pointing out foods that are GF. Personally I like Amy's brand frozen foods and soups. The frozen Mac and Cheese is great! (though not all Amy's brand are GF, so read the labels carefully)
DeBoles Rice Pasta is my fav. Like C.C. I love pasta, before CD I used to eat Garden Rotini on a daily basis.
Kettle Cusine is also a good frozen brand. Chili and Chicken Noodle are the ones I eat.
There are really a lot of GF foods that are not made specifically GF, you just need to talk to your son/daughter/granddaughter on what ingredients are safe or unsafe. Also if you are unsure, call or email the company and they will gladly let you know what foods are used, and if they are made where gluten contamination is a possibility.
GOOD LUCK, and thanks for being supportive of you Granddaughters situation. =)
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