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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to ask what you would feed a toddler on this restricted diet?

83 replies

Callistone · 12/06/2019 13:20

2.5yo DS is already almost entirely milk and egg free anyway due to intolerances - he can handle them baked in products but not on their own.

We've now been told we need to go soy and wheat (not gluten, full wheat) free for a few weeks before slowly reintroducing them.

If this was an adult I'd be less stressed, but a toddler who is already in the throws of usual toddler food fun?

That's a month without many of his favourite foods and regular staples - no bread products, no pasta, no breaded fish or meat, no crackers or similar, none of the soy replacements.

I can think of meals, obviously, there is meat and rice and potatoes but I suspect they mean exclude all the other wheats like couscous, barley etc, and fruit and veg ("but not too much fruit", said the consultant helpfully...) but it's such a radical change from for a toddler who is currently not a fan of anything that resembles a meal. Plus no eggs or cheese anyway. It's so repetitive, for three meals a day, plus snacks, when half the replacements I can think of - hummus, rice noodles, chickpea and lentil curries etc - are things he is not too fond of anyway.

Any suggestions or advice gratefully received!!!

OP posts:
SuperLoudPoppingAction · 12/06/2019 13:22

If its only for a few weeks I might raid the free from section of the supermarket for more or less what they eat normally

OrchidInTheSun · 12/06/2019 13:23

Rice crispies, oats, rice cakes, smoothies,

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 12/06/2019 13:24

My weirdos liked munching on rice paper or sushi seaweed sheets.
And just homemade sushi as well.
Blobs of rice with eg avocado on top.

OrchidInTheSun · 12/06/2019 13:24

Couscous is made of wheat incidentally so don't feed him that!

Hahaha88 · 12/06/2019 13:24

It doesn't mean no bread or pasta, just wheat free alternatives, of which there are lots now. You can get wheat free chicken nuggets etc too.
Tbh I think with the alternatives available you'll have no more hassle feeding him. Eating out can be harder of course but lots of places are good for having dietary alternatives.
My lo has allergies fwiw this is coming from experience

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 12/06/2019 13:25

I have a weird feeling you can get gluten free oat cakes.
Corncakes are lovely instead of rice cakes

OrchidInTheSun · 12/06/2019 13:25

Be careful with wheat free pasta - a lot is made from soy.

Mummoomoocow · 12/06/2019 13:25

Besides the allergies and intolerances I am at my wits end with my toddler. He’s not putting on weight and refusing everything that’s not carbs or chicken nuggets. Not even chicken breasts.

I’m sorry I can’t offer great help but hoping that some adults with these intolerances will pitch in with their go to meal ideas

I can only offer the unhelpful “kids get used to it after x tries” tactic. (Doesn’t help me when ds won’t put on weight in refusal)

Callistone · 12/06/2019 13:26

The consultant was saying that it didn't mean we could use the gluten-free replacements, as that is gluten free, and he wants wheat free. But maybe he's wrong? (The potential intolerance is wheat, we've just done the coeliac blood test for gluten)

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 12/06/2019 13:28

Shepherd's pie.
Sorbet.
Jelly.

Callistone · 12/06/2019 13:28

Be careful with wheat free pasta - a lot is made from soy

Yes, that's my concern.

Mumm, I feel your pain. DS is pretty good at the moment considering he's on a restricted diet already, but I have a feeling a month of predominantly jacket potatoes and beans (let's be honest about what he will actually eat) might finish him off entirely

OP posts:
HarveySchlumpfenburger · 12/06/2019 13:28

used rice pasta for DN1 with that combination of allergies/intolerances. I think it was the only free from stuff we got. Other than that was mostly just meat/fish and veg. With fruit or veg or rice cakes for snacks

Callistone · 12/06/2019 13:29

Leeds, turns out a lot of stocks and flavourings have wheat in them! What a mindefield Shock

OP posts:
Hahaha88 · 12/06/2019 13:32

@Callistone boulion stock in the free from range is gluten free, not sure if it's wheat but I imagine it is.

NCforpoo · 12/06/2019 13:32

Visit the free from section. Gluten free will also mean wheat free.
Corncakes, rice crackers, free from section will have a huge number of crackers he can have. But just rice cakes will probably win out
Pasta- there is rice pasta, corn pasta, potato based pasta and my favourite, lentil pasta. All taste like pasta. Toddlers (and most adults) can't tell the difference
Bread-

  • pita go for BFree
  • toast- any GF bread will do
  • plain bread try Burgen GF or Schar. Don't go for genius. It's terrible and dry.
Most big supermarkets will have GF fish fingers and chicken nuggets. You can get GF couscous but it's pretty horrible. Just base his main meals around potato and rice. It will be easier than you think. And try new things with him. He might surprise you!
Seniorschoolmum · 12/06/2019 13:34

What about bananas, potato mashed with other veg for variety, with meat or fish, mashed avocados, sweet potatoes.

Look for West Indian recipes online - lots based on plaintain or fish & coconut. Make crisps from parsnip & beetroot.
Broad beans & bacon.

pelirocco123 · 12/06/2019 13:34

fruit veg and unbreaded fish or meat !

NCforpoo · 12/06/2019 13:36

Check the backs of packets to reassure yourself but I can't eat wheat so use GF products instead. Bouillon for stock

NCforpoo · 12/06/2019 13:36

And there's always chips! But check as some oven ones are dusted in wheat. (God knows why...Angry)

BaronessBomburst · 12/06/2019 13:37

What about quinoa?

Callistone · 12/06/2019 13:37

fruit veg and unbreaded fish or meat! I think even I would be bored after a month of that Grin

OK, lots of tips here - I'm believing the masses rather than the two-months from retirement consultant. If we can just get some fish fingers and pasta in then I think we've got a better chance of getting through. I know a lot of the good replacements like hummous and avocado will be rejected, or at least will take a big fight to get into him. Making veg crisps is a great idea too.

OP posts:
Callistone · 12/06/2019 13:37

fruit veg and unbreaded fish or meat! I think even I would be bored after a month of that Grin

OK, lots of tips here - I'm believing the masses rather than the two-months from retirement consultant. If we can just get some fish fingers and pasta in then I think we've got a better chance of getting through. I know a lot of the good replacements like hummous and avocado will be rejected, or at least will take a big fight to get into him. Making veg crisps is a great idea too.

OP posts:
RosemaryRemember · 12/06/2019 13:39

Cornflour / polenta for coating things.

Utini · 12/06/2019 13:39

Definitely look at the free from section as I think anything gluten free will also be wheat free. I don't think it's possible to remove all traces of gluten from wheat, everything I buy is made from alternatives such as blends of rice, potato, tapioca, maize etc.