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How to Prepare Gluten-Free School Lunches *Giveaway*

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This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to Jessie C!

With the school-year on the horizon, it’s time for parents and children to begin thinking about preparing lunches.  For children who are not able to tolerate gluten, the task of finding healthful, palatable options in local grocery stores can be challenging for parents.

Several years ago, when my son was diagnosed with food allergies, we also learned that he is sensitive to gluten.  So while our pediatrician did not say it was required that we completely eliminate gluten from his diet, he highly recommended we try.  As if it weren’t difficult enough to navigate around those allergies, I felt slightly overwhelmed with the thought of completely removing breads, pastas, and his favorite snacks out of his diet.  To this day, my son is not 100% gluten-free.  We completely eliminate those foods that are true allergens and then allow him to eat those foods he is sensitive to in limited quantities (which has been discussed with our Pediatrician).

As someone who has access to natural markets, farmer’s markets, and locally-grown foods, I still didn’t find that the options were abundant.  It was my mother-in-law who recommended we take a look at Udi’s Gluten Free Foods, as she is unable to tolerate gluten and found the breads, muffins, and granola to be flavorful.

Photo Credit: Udi's Gluten Free Foods

Earlier this year, I tasted a variety of Udi’s Gluten Free Foods at the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim.  In particular, I found the muffins to be delicious….moist and flavorful.  Had I not been told they were gluten-free, I would never have known.  A few weeks ago while in San Diego, the company was represented at the Cheap Sally party, offering attendees an opportunity to taste some of their sweet treats.  To further expand their line, Udi’s is offering cookies and brownies, along with their current selection of breads, muffins, bagels, granola, and pizza crust.

Because Udi’s is expanding their line, parents and children can pack gluten-free lunches that are healthy, flavorful, and enjoyable without having to sacrifice the types of foods they enjoy.  Here is just an example of how to pack a gluten-free lunch:

Organic Roasted Turkey Breast

Organic fresh veggies

Fresh Hummus

Udi’s Gluten Free Whole Grain Bread Loaf

Snacks:

Gluten Free Vanilla Granola with Almond Milk Yogurt (morning snack) and a piece of organic fruit

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (Afternoon snack) with fresh cut organic veggies/hummus

The above lunch includes a variety of whole grains, fruits and veggies, and protein.  It does not include dairy, but a parent could easily sub milk or a dairy-based yogurt if their child is not allergic.  If you have more than one child, parents can still offer each child the same lunch since it might be easier and more affordable not to have to buy two different types of foods.

Udi’s is continuing to expand their line of gluten-free foods. For more information, just visit their website or Facebook page.

Win It! One of you will win a $50 Udi’s Back-to-School Prize Pack.  Simply leave me a comment with a gluten-free tip or an Udi’s product you’d like to try.  Comments will close on September 11th, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

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Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

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Disclosure: This is part of a compensated campaign with Udi’s Gluten Free Foods.

Caryn Bailey
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125 Responses to How to Prepare Gluten-Free School Lunches *Giveaway*

  31. We try to keep the atmosphere light and not project our expectations on the kids and try to use fun learning experiences such as baking with the kids to teach them match and measurements, learning games and nature walks.
    lyndaclark81(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  78. I would love to try the plain bagel. I love bagels and now that I can have them gluten free that is even better!

    Reply

  79. With gluten-free I think one of the biggest things is accepting that most things are just off limits. It’s hard to eat out or to buy processed foods, to grab a bite like most people do. It means being more responsible for yourself or your child, not expecting that there will be something made available for you. But the good thing is there are substitutes for most things, and it’s easy to make your own glutenfree versions of just about everything. Keep your own supply of gluten free flour, and substitute it in standard recipes. Udis is awesome by the way, absolutely my favorite gluten free bread by far.

    Reply

  89. My gluten-free tip is to use teff flour for a whole-wheat taste in baked goods. Udi’s incorporates it into one of their breads.

    Reply

  92. I love UDI gluten free breads and granola. I often pack the granola to sprinkle on the yogurt for the kids at lunchtime. I would like to try some of their other products. UDI is our favorite gluten free bread.

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  112. So far Udi’s has my favorite GF bread. I really want to try the cinnamon raisin bagels, but they don’t sell them anywhere near me 🙁 The plain ones are pretty good though.

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  123. I would love to try the UDI’s white bread. So far, I haven’t been able to get my daughter to go for any gluten free bread we’ve tried.

    Reply

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