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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Gluten free

37 replies

Grapeuk · 05/03/2022 18:48

Not an Aibu, posting for traffic. My son is having a birthday party in a few weeks and one of his friends mums has told me her son has coeliac disease. At the moment I will be providing the food as the kitchen at the venue is closed due to no chef, however that may change. But, if I do end up doing the food, what sorts of food could I provide for this child so he doesnt feel left out? His mum did say she's happy to provide food if needed but I'd like to try, however I have no experience in anything like this so worried I may get it wrong.

OP posts:
HalloHello · 05/03/2022 18:49

Coeliac is really hard because you have to make sure there's absolutely no contamination of gluten products and non gluten. He would need his own plates in case other kids touch his food and contaminate it. I would be inclined to ask the mum to bring him a pack lunch but maybe that's a cop out 😁

Figgygal · 05/03/2022 18:50

What sort of food are you preparing for others?
My husband has cd and though gf food is possible when planned cross contamination is a risk even if you buy gf

busyeatingbiscuits · 05/03/2022 18:51

Get the mum to provide as if you accidentally contaminate something in your kitchen you could make him ill.

His mum would probably feel better knowing she’s providing something safe.

Embracelife · 05/03/2022 18:52

You could make everything g g f buy g f cake in sainsbury or asda

If you plan sandwich es make hus separate ly first and put in separate box use new butter znd clean utensils

Nutrigrainygoodness · 05/03/2022 18:53

I would probably let the parents bring something for them to be honest.
Are you thinking of having a buffet style thing, if you are there will definitely be things the child can have- fruit, veg, some crisps (obviously check first) maybe do a some gluten free sausage rolls (after you've cried at the price) a gluten free cupcake instead of a piece of the birthday cake. 😀

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 05/03/2022 18:54

To be honest I would take her up on the offer to provide some food if this is not something that you have done before. Maybe tell her the sort of thing you are planning to offer to the others.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 05/03/2022 18:55

What are you making the others?

Supermarkets have plenty of gluten free biscuits etc. Many crisps are gluten fee, but check the label of every pack as it can vary between flavours. Sweets and chocolate too. Including party bag!

CovidCorvid · 05/03/2022 18:56

If you’re doing sandwiches then you’d need gluten free bread, new butter, clean utensils and chopping board. Wrap in clingfilm.

Popcorn is normally ok.

Don’t let him have crisps if they say “may contain gluten” or packed in a factory with gluten lines. Dd vomits if she eats walkers even though technically they’re gluten free.

Most sweets are ok. Supermarkets will do little gluten free cakes. Asda do some mini gluten free Colin the caterpillar.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 05/03/2022 18:56

Your best bet might be making up snack boxes for everyone.

Original poster
Grapeuk · 05/03/2022 18:57

@Figgygal

What sort of food are you preparing for others? My husband has cd and though gf food is possible when planned cross contamination is a risk even if you buy gf
Would just be normal party food.. sandwiches, sausage rolls, pizza, mini sausages, crisps, fruit etc. But tbh I'm hoping the venue will have their kitchen open by then so I dont have to Grin

Its the worry of accidental cross contamination that worries me. I dont personally know the child or the mum, I wanted to make him feel included but not sure if its more worry then its worth for both of us.

OP posts:
Aimee1987 · 05/03/2022 18:57

@busyeatingbiscuits

Get the mum to provide as if you accidentally contaminate something in your kitchen you could make him ill.

His mum would probably feel better knowing she’s providing something safe.

This is my thought. I have CD and am always anxious when other people cook/ offer to cook for me. Alot of unexpected things have gluten in them, for example stock cubes is one people often wouldn't think to check Or my last accidental contamination was from some worchester sauce. Ask the mum its safer option. Let her know what your making so she can prepare similiar
Okeydoky · 05/03/2022 19:00

I'd buy some gluten free premade stuff, leave it in the packet and on arrival ask his mum to check it over and plate it up, then you don't have to worry about cross-contamination. If you shop with Ocado they're excellent for all things gluten free.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 05/03/2022 19:02

Pizza... available in supermarkets
Sauage rolls... m&s
Crisps check packet
Fruit and veg fine.

AmbushedByCake1 · 05/03/2022 19:02

I would buy a ready made gf sandwich from a supermarket, packet of crisps and a biscuit. Obviously check all the labels.

JelloFishy · 05/03/2022 19:03

Supermarkets do gf sandwiches in the fridge. Also prepacked cakes and bits. I'd buy them and leave the GF child to open the packets when ready. You can get GF crisps in the free from section. Again I'd keep them all separate and give them a new plate out the packet. Minimise any cross contamination.

Are they intolerant or coeliac? If the latter I'd be more incline to let the mum sort the food just in case.

PragmaticWench · 05/03/2022 19:12

DD has coeliac disease and today a friend catered for her at their child's party. I was bowled over.

However, I really never mind at all if people don't want to and am more than happy to bring along food that's the same as the party food. Much rather people were honest and DD is safe.

BoodleBug51 · 05/03/2022 19:13

Let Mum provide. That way, she'll be confident that she won't have a puking child for 24/48 hours after and you won't have to stress.

I've got 2 coeliac grandchildren, and am obsessive about keeping their food separate as I can't bear the thought of making them poorly. Seeing them rolling on the floor crying with stomach pain and projectile vomiting is horrific, and they've both been glutened at parties so now DD just supplies their own food.

pigsDOfly · 05/03/2022 19:17

I agree with those pps who said let the child's mother provide something for him.

Tell her what you're providing and let her get similar stuff that's gf.

My adult DD has coeliac disease and unless you know what you're doing there's a strong chance of cross contamination and you could end up making the child ill.

His mother has offered for a reason, take her up on the offer. She probably does it for most of the parties he goes to.

Eileen101 · 05/03/2022 19:22

Ask the parents to send it. As an allergy parent, I would also rest easier knowing I've prepared it myself. So you'll be taking a weight off both your minds probably 😉

ThinWomansBrain · 05/03/2022 19:34

from the above, buying a GF sandwich and individual cake from supermarket, and keeping it boxed until the child is ready to eat it it.
It's still different to what the other children have, but more inclusive than his mum getting out a sandwich box from home - and pragmaticwench comments above about delight that someone had gone to the trouble of making the effort noted.

handmademitlove · 05/03/2022 19:44

I would much rather provide the food for my coeliac children at parties - it is easy to get in wrong accidentally. Small things really matter. What really helps me is knowing what the other kids are having so I can roughly match it and also keeping a plate for them so they I can plate it up when I drop them off, then cover with cling film for them to remove. That way they know I have checked everything and it is safe. If you are doing party bags, check any food! Chocolate and sweets can both be a problem. Haribo is fine! A prepacked gluten free cake if you are putting cake in party bags is also great but not essential...

mbosnz · 05/03/2022 19:54

What I did, as a Mum of a kid with coeliacs, was to find out what would be served at the party, and to replicate that for my DD. My DD knew she could eat her food, but not the others, as it would make her poorly (she was diagnosed at four). That took the burden off the hosting parents, and the worry/stress off of us, and DD, because we know the gnarly bits where gluten can hide, whereas a person who doesn't have to deal with it on a daily basis, to my mind, shouldn't really have to tangle with it, particularly when dealing with a birthday party!

Floralnomad · 05/03/2022 19:59

I’d just let her provide his food but perhaps buy a gf cake for his party bag / at the party . If you do decide to cater yourself make sure you don’t buy things that have ‘may contain gluten’ on the packs as these may be contaminated in the factory .

MummyItsallaboutyou · 05/03/2022 20:03

Dd and I both have coeliac disease. I'd ask what the other children are having and replicate. I'd feel more comfortable providing the food You could offer to get some cupcakes so they're not missing out.

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