Posted by Healthy Bitch Daily on Mar 20, 2013
Sure, you might have chosen it because you want to be kind to animals and treat your body to vegan ecstasy. Or maybe you have to make a swap because of an allergy or food intolerance. Either way, overhauling your plate takes research, work and a period of adjustment.
When I was diagnosed with celiac disease in September 2010, I can honestly say that I never spent a moment feeling sorry for myself. I had felt like pure shit for so long that I would have done almost anything to stop the constant pain that felt like punches to my gut, lack of energy and unmentionable trips to the bathroom.
But the transition doesn't always come naturally, and that's OK, cupcakes. And yet, I can't help but always sympathize a tad bit more for a child or tween who has to make the swap. I mean, think about it: If someone had told you at age 15 that you could never have another Twix bar again, then you would have been righteously miffed too, right?
Of course, if a child was born into a family that chose veganism from the get-go, or if they knew she was someone who couldn't tolerate a certain food long before she knew the difference, then chances are likely the "swap" wasn't that hard. But what about the kiddos who make the change after they already have a defined set of food habits? How does a bitchin' mommy help him or her ease into it?
Take a peek at these tips:
Go shopping for fun kitchen tools. Just like her favorite toys, a tiny sweet one will love a few colorful gadgets to help mommy cook in the kitchen. Scoop up colorful spatulas, pancake turners with fun designs and cookie cutters of her favorite characters to make new recipes a family activity.
Find recipes for his or her favorite store bought treats. Gluten-free bakers, like Nicole Hunn from Gluten-Free on a Shoestring, have found ways to make everything from classic chocolate chip cookies to a gluten-free spin on Girl Scout-style Thin Mints. And don't forget to indulge them in kid-like food items, like tofu dogs or PB&J on gluten-free bread.
Play dress up. Combine two of his favorite activities (dressing up as a superhero and getting messy) and have a blast in the kitchen. Purchase a chef's hat or apron, mock menus and other restaurant-like items and let your child play cook for the night. Show him how to whip potatoes, peel carrots, set the table and help with other tasks to make him feel like he plays an important role in making dinner a success.
The most important factor in transitioning your wee ones to a new diet is to emphasize the positive as opposed to the negative aspects of the change. When he starts to feel blue about not being able to enjoy a friend's brownies at school, whip up a "safe" batch of goodies together and divvy them up for him to dish out to his pals the next day. When she receives an invitation to a party, call the other child's parents and ask what you might offer as a safe substitute to the other treats at the party. No matter the instance, always meet it with, "Discovering new recipes is so much fun isn't it?!" Or, "I'm so glad you are a healthy, strong kid –– just like Superman/Wonder Woman!"
You can do it, girl, promise. After all, you are one hell of a bitch-tastic mom.
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Caroline Shannon-Karasik, Resident Gluten-Free ExpertCaroline Shannon-Karasik is the founder of The G-Spot Revolution , a gluten-free, healthy living blog built upon the premise that there is not a one-size-fits-all prescription for total wellness. Whether you call it your personal health "spot", or ooo-la-la recipe, that serendipitous life balance is yours to define –– and The G-Spot was created to help you do just that. Standing behind her mission to share health information through her writing, Caroline is a freelance writer for several publications, including REDBOOK and Breathe magazines. Follow her on Twitter @TheGSpotRev or read more at www.carolineshannon.com.
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