Gluten and Dairy Free Treats for Class

Hello,

I know you have done a lot of work already, but I would get the same treat for the whole class. There are plenty of cake mixes that are gluten and dairy free - you just have to check the labels. I know it is your daughter's special day, but singling out one student may cause hurt feelings.

As a teacher, I see how children with food allergies feel. They often feel left out of fun celebrations. Also, double check with the school to make sure you are allowed to bring in cupcakes. Most states now have laws that do not allow sugar snacks into the school for any occasion.

I would save the cupcakes you already made for her birthday party at home, and get something else for the class.

Happy Birthday to your daughter,
L.

As the mother of a child with severe food allergies, I would never expect another mom to prepare a special treat for him. There are so many other words used in the ingredient labels that may not catch your eye and it would be very easy to make an honest mistake and possibly cause an allergic reaction. I would bet that the child's mother is prepared to always send in a special snack or may even have one already on hand at the school for unexpected celebrations. As kind as it is to offer to make something for this child, it's just too risky to take it on especially with such short notice. This doesn't give you enough time to properly educate yourself and provide something for the child. I know if it were my child, he would not accept anything that I hadn't given him the 100% that it is OK for him to eat.

I hope your daughter enjoys her special day!!

Contact his Mom and tell her the situation and ask what she suggests. She should offer to send him something for him, and not put this on you. That is what I do. Both my kids are gluten free, and I always make the treats for my kids. I don't expect other Moms to deal with this. You are very kind. There are good gluten free muffins and mixed available but youhave to know where to go. However, she may make a suggestion, in which case since you are so nice, you'll be on the hook.

My daughter's friends like the meringues I make -- the are easy just egg whites and sugar-- gluten free and non-dairy.

If you have a sprouts, they have all kinds of gluten free cookies and treats. Fruits are also a good option. You can make a fruit salad too. Very yummy!

My daughter has recently been diagnosed with Celiac disease. There are lots of gluten free cake mixes available right in your grocery store in the baking aisle. You will have to check their labels to see if they contain dairy.

Another option... fruit snacks. They are gluten free, kids love them, and no one has to feel left out (as my daughter often does).

You can also buy gluten free rice krispie bars (Rice Krispies cereal is NOT gluten free, so you can't make your own out of that cereal). You can frost and decorate them just like cupcakes.

You can also find a Whole Foods Market, they have premade gluten free items that you can pick up, but again, you will have to see if they are dairy free.

I wouldn't suggest "making" anything for him. It's too easy to contaminate the gluten free foods if you aren't overly familiar with it. My daughter is gluten free and dairy free as well, and when people "make" her stuff, she usually gets contaminated. What I would do, if pick up a cupcake from a gluten free bakery - they are getting more and more popular or whole foods or some sort of food co-op should carry something as to gluten free bakery items. If that is not feasible, I'd call Jacob's mom (do you have a school directory? or ask the teacher for his mom's number) and see if he had a favorite treat - like my daughter loves fruit snacks, plain lays potatoe chips (so I'll get the small snack size for such occasions) or candy (have to becareful some contain wheat). If he's gluten and dairy free, sad to say, he's used to not eating what everyone else does. Hope that helps.