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Original poster

Help 🙏🏻Child’s party gluten free

29 replies

Thatsmyname5 · 19/07/2023 16:23

Hello!
My son is having a birthday party in 2 days and a mum has just messaged to say her daughter is gluten free. The mum has offered to send her daughter with a lunch box but I’ve said I’m happy to pick up snacks that are gluten free also.
I have no idea what foods are gluten free but want to make sure the girl isn’t left out so will just have all snacks gluten free.
Does anyone have any suggestions what I could buy for party food. Sandwich fillers etc…
also what foods contain gluten that you wouldn’t necessarily think would. Just so I know what to avoid 🙈
The birthday cake is already ordered and I can’t change it so will buy extra gluten free cupcakes for her to take away.

sorry, as usual, I leave things to last minute so I don’t have long to plan food and snacks 🤪

OP posts:
Harebrain · 19/07/2023 16:26

Most supermarkets now have a Gluten Free section so have a look at that and see what’s available? To be honest, I’d take up the mum’s offer of sending a snack box.

KickboxingWanker · 19/07/2023 16:35

I too would take the offer of a snack box.

most sandwich fillers are gluten free, cheese, jam, ham, chicken etc.
it’s the bread you need to worry about. gluten free bread is not that great and is expensive.
just tell the mum what you are putting on your sandwiches and get her to make some with similar fillings.

are you having a gluten free cake?

In the free from isles you can find gluten free jam tarts, angels slices, muffins etc.

In the freezer department you can find gluten free sausage rolls and maybe pizzas.

most crisps are gluten free.

gawditswindy · 19/07/2023 16:37

Gluten free bread is very much an acquired taste (Envy) but pizzas aren't too bad. You can get frozen pizza, wraps, ciabatta rolls, etc that are maybe more palatable then bread. Most sandwich fillings are fine. You can also get frozen sausage rolls.

Check crisps, most are gf but not all. Pom bears certainly are but a lot of kids favourites like skips, quavers, etc aren't.

Jelly, (most) ice cream, angel delight, etc all fine.

There are loads of gf cakes and biscuits available, from angel cake type things to cookies. I'd not say one supermarket is better than the others, other than Aldi and Lidl that don't have much. M&S good but £££.

missingthewinchesterboys · 19/07/2023 16:43

Chicken drumsticks
Crisps
Veg sticks like cucumber , carrots baby tomatoes
Fruit

Cheese

You can get gluten free bread sticks

Cocktail sausages often have gluten in them

All ingredients lists in the uk have to highlight the main allergens in bold
Lookout for wheat and barley.
Is the child celiac or intolerant? If intolerant ask if they can eat may contain. If celiac then that's a no to anything that says may contain and cross contamination is a big worry. So if you cook anything on trays used for gluten containing stuff or have any crumbs at all it can cause an issue.

Don't do sandwiches as bread is tricky and expensive.

If you want her to be included( which is amazing and will be appreciated by the child and parent). Do her her own snack box.
Chicken drumsticks(precooked and palates ones so no cross contamination), crisps, cupcake, fruit snacks etc.
Keep their food separate from the rest.

Original poster
Thatsmyname5 · 19/07/2023 16:46

Thank-you very much for getting back to me. I’ll check this at my local supermarket xx

OP posts:
SnowSnows · 19/07/2023 16:51

Check with the mum. Is the child just gluten intolerant or coeliac? If coeliac, a single crumb of bread can have a reaction - its a lot of pressure to manage, especially at a childs party. In this instance, I would take the offer of the packed lunch. My DD has a friend who is coeliac, and I have had enough experience of making sure that you use separate knives, separate butter, separate jam etc. Someone without experience may not realise how much you really do need to keep everything separate.

Clymene · 19/07/2023 16:54

Please please take up the mum's offer of a snack box. She knows what her daughter can eat and you don't need anything else to stress about.

PuttingDownRoots · 19/07/2023 16:56

Double check any sweets in party bags... smarties used to have gluten in them (not sure on current state) fir example. Also crisps.

gogomoto · 19/07/2023 17:02

Most sausages are gluten free these days in supermarkets, they are clearly marked. Plain crisps are usually ok, check packaging, fruit and vegetables are obviously ok, gluten free bread is available but probably best to make up the child their own roll as it's not very nice and very expensive. Better are gluten free crackers, cheese etc (your own lunchables?)

Original poster
Thatsmyname5 · 19/07/2023 17:45

Wow thank-you so much to everyone for the replies. I had no idea about the level of planning and preparation for a gluten free diet. After reading the comments, I have spoken to the mum again to make sure it’s done right for her daughter.
The mum says she should be okay with ‘may contain’ but I’ll keep a very close eye on this girl when it’s time for food. Hats off to parents who have to provide a gluten free diet for their kids! 👏🏻👏🏻 It’s more complicated than I thought but so important to get right! 👏🏻

OP posts:
ZoChan · 19/07/2023 18:55

Pom bears for the win.

SummaLuvin · 19/07/2023 19:09

something I hadn't realised had gluten in until cooking for a GF is soy sauce. Probably won't be in much standard kids party food, but things like dressing or coatings on chicken drumsticks...

FourTeaFallOut · 19/07/2023 19:11

Let the mum do a box, then she knows the food hasn't been cross contaminated.

SeatonCarew · 19/07/2023 19:26

I'm a coeliac, PLEASE take the mum up on her offer and just send the little girl home with an unopened packet of gluten free buns from the supermarket.

(You could also give her her own packet of ready salted crisps at the party at a push, but clear them with Mum first).

You'll get far too many well meaning but uninformed answers on here. Thanks for caring. 😊

gawditswindy · 19/07/2023 21:45

As a parent of a coeliac child I'm so grateful that you're willing to cater for her. My DD hates being different at parties, soft play, zoos... everywhere that does a kids menu tends to poorly cater for gf kids. It's so nice that you've offered for her not to have the same snack box as she has every other time!

Bananaspliff · 19/07/2023 21:52

Look up Becky Excell on Facebook. She’s a gluten free cookery author, but she also does lots of posts about gluten free supermarket products.
M&S dinky cocktail sausages are GF.

Lovely234 · 19/07/2023 22:04

Ooh I can help here. The child is going to need to avoid sandwiches I think as bread is very hard. But there’s plenty of other things to fill her plate!
I would do

  • Big bowl Tortilla chips
  • Big bowl Pom bears
  • Hummus/other dips
  • crudités/veggie sticks
  • babybel/ cheese and pineapple
  • cocktail sausages (Aldi, M&S all gluten free I think)
  • Fruit platter
  • popcorn
  • chocolate brownies are often gluten free, all marshmallows usually are
  • As an alternate to cake jelly is ok, ice cream OK….
well done for catering, the parents will be so chuffed (as I’m sure will the little girl)
FourTeaFallOut · 19/07/2023 22:05

gawditswindy · 19/07/2023 21:45

As a parent of a coeliac child I'm so grateful that you're willing to cater for her. My DD hates being different at parties, soft play, zoos... everywhere that does a kids menu tends to poorly cater for gf kids. It's so nice that you've offered for her not to have the same snack box as she has every other time!

It's funny how we are different. My ds has coeliacs and I much preferred it when I didn't have to watch thirty kids dig in to a supposedly gluten free buffet hoping someone wasn't contaminating it all with a muffin they brought from home or some other crumbly gluten liability.

FourTeaFallOut · 19/07/2023 22:07

I mean, obviously he still has coeliacs but he's a teen now and the days of birthday party buffets are thankfully over.

Mortimermay · 19/07/2023 22:22

You've had some great answers but I would advise that you really must check absolutely everything you're serving, any sauces, juice etc all have to be checked. I successfully glutened myself by drinking vimto over several days - just didn't even think that it contained barley! Had no idea why I felt so awful until I eventually saw it on the label. Just a silly mistake.
Definitely best to avoid may contains where possible and there are some childrens sweets that contain gluten that you really wouldn't think about - I'm thinking of the pick n mix style chewy straws with the filling in them for example (terrible description I know!).
Her food will also need to be completely separate with no one able to help themselves to some of her crisps after they've had their hands in their own crisps etc. Even spreading sandwiches with butter can be a nightmare if there's a risk that your butter or jam has had a knife in it previously with crumbs on it.
It's great that you're willing to cater for her and make her feel part of it but her food really will have to be prepared and kept completely separate.

gawditswindy · 19/07/2023 22:28

Mortimermay · 19/07/2023 22:22

You've had some great answers but I would advise that you really must check absolutely everything you're serving, any sauces, juice etc all have to be checked. I successfully glutened myself by drinking vimto over several days - just didn't even think that it contained barley! Had no idea why I felt so awful until I eventually saw it on the label. Just a silly mistake.
Definitely best to avoid may contains where possible and there are some childrens sweets that contain gluten that you really wouldn't think about - I'm thinking of the pick n mix style chewy straws with the filling in them for example (terrible description I know!).
Her food will also need to be completely separate with no one able to help themselves to some of her crisps after they've had their hands in their own crisps etc. Even spreading sandwiches with butter can be a nightmare if there's a risk that your butter or jam has had a knife in it previously with crumbs on it.
It's great that you're willing to cater for her and make her feel part of it but her food really will have to be prepared and kept completely separate.

Only if you've also prepared gluten containing food. If the entire buffet is gf you're fine. My DH and DD are coeliac and we only serve gf food in the house - parties or not.

Mortimermay · 19/07/2023 22:32

Yes, if the whole buffet is gluten free that's different because there's no contamination risk but for someone who doesn't know, it isn't clear that the whole buffet would be gluten free.

pastabest · 19/07/2023 22:34

Mortimermay · 19/07/2023 22:22

You've had some great answers but I would advise that you really must check absolutely everything you're serving, any sauces, juice etc all have to be checked. I successfully glutened myself by drinking vimto over several days - just didn't even think that it contained barley! Had no idea why I felt so awful until I eventually saw it on the label. Just a silly mistake.
Definitely best to avoid may contains where possible and there are some childrens sweets that contain gluten that you really wouldn't think about - I'm thinking of the pick n mix style chewy straws with the filling in them for example (terrible description I know!).
Her food will also need to be completely separate with no one able to help themselves to some of her crisps after they've had their hands in their own crisps etc. Even spreading sandwiches with butter can be a nightmare if there's a risk that your butter or jam has had a knife in it previously with crumbs on it.
It's great that you're willing to cater for her and make her feel part of it but her food really will have to be prepared and kept completely separate.

Vimto say on their website that its gluten free despite the barley. We've checked and double checked a number of times!

OP - most coeliacs have their own preferred breads etc so take mum up on her offer of a snack box so it's guaranteed the child has something she likes to eat

However -pom bears and Lidl own brand pringles are gluten free. Fruit, carrot sticks, jelly and most icecream all gluten free.

Most supermarkets do little GF cake slices etc which are perfectly edible.

Just try and avoid cross contamination from crumbs e.g. in dips/ butter from crumbly pastry items etc

Mortimermay · 19/07/2023 22:36

pastabest · 19/07/2023 22:34

Vimto say on their website that its gluten free despite the barley. We've checked and double checked a number of times!

OP - most coeliacs have their own preferred breads etc so take mum up on her offer of a snack box so it's guaranteed the child has something she likes to eat

However -pom bears and Lidl own brand pringles are gluten free. Fruit, carrot sticks, jelly and most icecream all gluten free.

Most supermarkets do little GF cake slices etc which are perfectly edible.

Just try and avoid cross contamination from crumbs e.g. in dips/ butter from crumbly pastry items etc

Show quote history

Yeah I read that as well about Vimto but after frantically scouring the Internet it seemed that I wasn't the only one who had experienced symptoms after drinking it. To be fair, I had been drinking a lot of it over several days so that could have been part of the issue potentially.

GingerIsBest · 20/07/2023 14:37

A few things here are a bit odd. You think YOU are last minute, this mum is the last minute one - frankly, it's rude to announce a food problem 2 days before the party. especially one like gluten that can be serious.

Having said that, it's clearly NOT that serious if she's saying that "could contain" would be okay, in which case you clearly don't need to be worrying about the child coming into contact with gluten.

Personally, I'd take up the offer of the snack box but would buy a few gluten free ready snacks - eg cooked chicken, crisps etc. I'd also make a point of picking up a gluten free cake/cupcake because that's a nice thing to do.