The Gluten-Free Summer Survival Guide

Today marks the last day of school and the beginning of our summer schedule. {Insert Moment of Maternal Mourning here}.  Our schedule involves a combination of camps, babysitters, and a group of fantastic moms who are taking my kids on various days this summer while I am at the office.

Lucky for me, my sitters and MamaTribe are well-versed in Ruthie's allergy, and Ruthie is her own best advocate out in the gluten-filled world.  The signature accoutrement is Ruthie's bag of "gluten-free goodies to go" which usually include the following:

1. Udi's Bread: This is hands-down  THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE BREAD EVER MADE.  As we like to say, it is bread most like "what we remember" (not "normal" bread, because there is nothing worse to me than talking about an allergy like a deviant behavior).  Unlike most GF breads, you do not need to toast it, and it has a really moist texture and tastes a lot like sourdough bread.  Ruthie loves it, and frankly, so do I.  Sometimes Ruthie packs her own sandwich, or just brings some bread along so when lunchtime happens at a friend's house, she can eat the same sandwich as her friend(s).

2. Glutino Pretzels: We are huge fans of Glutino products because of the "like we remember" factor.  These pretzels have a buttery quality to them that is simply out of this world.  They go perfectly with sandwiches, or even better, as part of a trail mix.

3. Pamela's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies: We were introduced to these cookies by a mom who supplied them at a birthday party as a cupcake subsitute for Ruthie, and then proceeded to send us home with two boxes.  They lasted about 24 hours, because they are so delicious.  They are the perfect balance of soft with some texture, but not crispy, and rather than chips, they have dark chocolate chunks that are absolutely delectable.  If I were to move to a desert island and could only have one dessert, these would be it.  And I would not share.

In terms of camps, I am comfortable that Ruthie's advocacy skills,  and knowing that she has to bring her lunch every day leaves me feeling pretty confident of her safety.  That said, I have a written protocol that I provide to camp directors each year, which I ask that they share with their staff.  Below is a sample of what I sent last year to Ruthie's art camp, Arlington Center for the Arts (www.acarts.org) :

Ruth McLaughlin: Celiac Information

Ruth (aka: Ruthie) has celiac, which means she is allergic to gluten. Gluten is found in the following:

BARLEY

RYE

OATS

WHEAT

While Ruthie will not have an anaphylactic reaction if she comes in contact with these items, she will develop an acute stomach ache and likely vomit and have diarrhea.

As with most allergies/autoimmune disorders, prevention is the best policy.  I am confident that the oversight by ACA staff will be minimal, but it is of course important that everyone know the circumstances surrounding her allergy. We will need your help in adhering to the following practices:

1. Lunch/Snacks: As requested, we will be providing Ruth's snacks/lunch. Ruth cannot share food with other children.

2. Art projects: Since the focus of this camp is art, care in this area is where the most vigilance is required. In the event that Ruth plays with play-doh or creates artwork from macaroni, glue, stickers, or cheerios, she will need to wash her hands vigorously after participation.  Gluten is not absorbed through the skin, but rather, her potentially placing her fingers in her mouth afterward could place her at risk for gluten ingestion.

        OUR FAMILY GUIDELINE TO HANDWASHING: Three rounds of “Twinkle Twinkle” with soap.

3. Envelopes: Ruthie cannot lick envelopes.  No, I did not see this one coming either.

3. Celebrations: I do not know to the extent that there are any celebrations at ACA camps.  If there are any, with advance notice, we can be sure that Ruth has a gluten free treat so that she can participate seamlessly.  Ruthie cannot share snacks with other kids.

Ruthie is a wonderfully articulate advocate for her gluten free status.  She knows which foods contain gluten and which ones do not.  She will ask if she is unsure, having learned the consequences the hard way. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly AT ANY TIME, even if that time is during the camp day!  I am more than happy to answer questions so that no one feels they need to “guess” what the appropriate action is. 

911 Protocol

In the event of an emergency that requires Ruth ride in an ambulance and/or be admitted to a hospital (and in the unlikely event that we would not be there in time for either) IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT EMERGENCY PERSONNEL KNOW OF HER GLUTEN FREE STATUS.  There are many medications that contain gluten (surprising, yes, but celiac is full of surprises).  A prudent move would be to contact Ruth’s Pediatric GI Doctor, Tom Walker.

(No, I don't tell them that Dr. Walker is my Gluten-Free Boyfriend.)