Gluten free recipes for children

Kids are notoriously picky eaters. Parents frequently complain about having to prepare three different dishes for any given meal: one for themselves and two (or more) for the kids. So if you have to add in another restriction on what counts as "edible" according to your children, you might find yourself feeling very limited in the kitchen. But there are plenty of great gluten free recipes that everyone in your family, kids included, will enjoy!

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So whether you are new to the gluten free lifestyle or have been living wheat-free for years, here are some great breakfast ideas to add to your repertoire.

1. Gluten free /dairy free banana and vanilla breakfast smoothie

For a delicious, easy breakfast that kids are sure to like, make this quick smoothie! And make some for yourself too - this is an energizing way to start the day.

Makes enough for two smoothies.

• Just combine in a blender:
• 2 cups of skim milk
• 2 ounces protein powder (optional)
• 1 peeled, sliced frozen banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Dash of nutmeg

2. Gluten free energy snack bars

These bars are great for an on the go breakfast or an after school snack. They're not just healthy, they're tasty and convenient. Feel free to adjust the recipe to what you already have in the house!

Makes about 16-32 bars, depending on size you cut them into.

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
• In a food processor, pulse until coarsely ground: 1 1/2 cups roasted raw nuts and/or seeds (try pecans, walnuts, cashews, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds - it's up to you!)
• In a large saucepan, melt 3/4 cup nut butter (almond, cashew, peanut or sunflower) with liquid sweetener. Stir so it doesn't scorch. When the mixture is smooth and bubbling for sixty seconds, remove it from heat, add 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and combine. Stir in the nut mixture, 1 cup of dried fruit (apricots, cherries, cranberries - your choice!), and 4 cups of gluten free rice crispies cereal. Stir until the whole mixture is well coated with the nut butter.
• Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet evenly. Cover the mixture with wax paper and use a rolling pin to make the top even and smooth.
• With the wax paper on, put the baking sheet in the fridge for two hours. Then cut into energy bars. Wrap each bar in wax paper, then put them all in some Tupperware in the fridge.

3. Gluten Free Blueberry Pancakes

There's nothing like surprising your family with some delicious, hot pancakes for breakfast in the morning. As soon as they smell these pancakes, they'll be out of bed, showered, dressed and ready for breakfast in no time!

Makes 6-8 pancakes

• In a mixing bowl, beat 4 tablespoons, 2 eggs, and 2 tablespoons of butter.
• Whisk 2 cups of all purpose gluten-free flour bend with 2 tablespoons gluten free baking
• powder, teaspoon xantham gum or guar gum, and just a pinch of salt.
• Now combine the butter mixture with the flour mixture.
• Add 1 cup buttermilk and teaspoon of vanilla and combine.
•  In a skillet or saucepan, melt 1 teaspoon of butter over medium heat. Make pancakes, about 1/3 cup of batter, each.
• Add a few blueberries to each of the sizzling pancakes. Flip when golden and cook second side.
• Serve with syrup, butter, jam, or anything else that you like!

These are just a few of the possible ways to make a gluten free breakfast that the whole family can enjoy.

About the Author: when Mike Walters isn’t busy covering different employee wellness companies and the plans they offer, he is covering a variety of health and wellness related topics to keep his readers informed and up to date.