10 Gluten-Free Tips for Teens

As a teenager, and now young adult, I’ve experienced almost every situation when it comes to gluten-free teens. We have to deal with a lot of different situations such as eating in the cafeteria, having no food at school parties, and having to search for food at parties in general. All these situations are ones that can be a lot harder when you have celiac disease, but you can learn to manage them. As a gluten-free teenager who’s gone through all these situations myself over the years, here are my top 10 gluten-free tips for teens.

1. Think of the foods that you miss most since going gluten-free. Now look up a recipe for that food or find a gluten-free version of it, and I’m sure it will be really helpful to satisfy your cravings.
2. Bring snacks with you whenever you leave home because you never know how long gluten-free food could be out of reach.
3. Make your own school lunches if you can and don’t leave it up to the cafeteria.
4. Know that being gluten-free doesn’t make you “weird” or abnormal. It’s a part of your life and it’s just food anyways.
5. Accept that there will be some days where you may be feeling down and you ask, “why me?” Know that every gluten-free teen has these thoughts sometimes and it’s ok and will get easier.
6. Don’t let anybody tell you that it’s not hard, because as a teenager, getting glutened is the last thing you want to worry about.
7. Don’t be ashamed of being gluten-free. It’s nothing to be ashamed about since it will always be a part of you.
8. Try and be open about what you can and can’t eat. Most people will take interest into it rather than pick on you.
9. Be positive whenever you can. Know that being gluten-free is a learning experience, and you’ll just get better over time.
10. Last but not least, try your best not to cheat. I know your parents probably say this all the time, but as a teenager, I can say that it’s definitely not worth it, and even the smallest amount of gluten is harmful to your body when you have celiac disease. Nobody is perfect, so if you have a slip up here and there, just try to learn from the experience, and remember how that gluten made you feel next time a temptation comes around.

For more gluten-free tips, recipes and support for gluten-free teens, visit GlutenAway. For a gluten-free snack to carry with you, try one of the many certified gluten-free NuGo protein bars.