* Any processed food should be avoided. It may seem like a difficult task given the nature of many foods on the market; however, it is possible to find gluten-free foods. Most supermarkets will have a section dedicated specifically to gluten-free products. Many processed foods are produced in a plant where equipment is shared with products that contain gluten.

* As a rule most pasta and cereals should be avoided. Any product that contains wheat, rye or barley should be avoided as well. These products all contain gluten which triggers celiac disease reactions. In addition, avoid any products that have been created using equipment that is shared with wheat products. All products that come into contact with shared equipment are required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be labeled when the possibility exists.

* Many types of flour include wheat grains which makes them a no-no for people on a gluten-free diet. Many types of items made with flour, such as bread, cake and donuts must be avoided as they contain gluten. Special items are available at bakeries for those with gluten allergies or intolerance.

If you like to bake your own bread or cakes, there are several gluten-free alternatives to use such as amaranth, millet or quinoa. Do your research and figure out which substitutes would have the best chance in your recipes. You can also search online for gluten-free recipes to make at home yourself.

* Snack foods, especially if seasoned, may contain gluten. When purchasing these products, be sure to check the label for any products containing gluten. While fried goods, meatloaf and meat balls may not contain gluten, they are typically breaded or held together with breadcrumbs which do contain wheat products.

The list of foods to avoid can be overwhelmingly extensive, especially if you have just been prescribed a gluten-free diet. However, there are many healthy alternatives to wheat, rye and barley products. Alternatives include grains such as amaranth, millet and buckwheat.

If you are prescribed a gluten-free diet, your physician will likely refer you to a dietician who will help you establish a healthy list of foods to avoid and alternatives. There are also many gluten-free recipes available online to help you broaden your diet.

It’s not unusual for children to have bad diets, unfortunately. When they’re little and we can control what they eat, we can ensure they’re eating healthy foods. As they grow up, however, they develop their own tastes as far as food is concerned. They may only like to eat macaroni and cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. How do you get them to eat fruits and vegetables, too?

Children learn by example in almost everything. If they see parents, siblings, and friends eating potato chips and drinking soft drinks, they’ll want to eat those as well. The reverse is true; if they see everyone eating fresh fruits and vegetables they’ll be more likely to follow suit. So, if you want your children to become healthy eaters, the adults in the family will want to set the pace.

Offer your child healthy foods for snacks. Rather than giving them cookies or candy for a snack, offer fresh fruit like apples, oranges, or grapes, depending upon your child’s age. If you don’t have junk food in your home, your child won’t learn to eat it.

Experts say to offer your child a new food at least twenty times before they’ll eat it. If you’re introducing a new food, put just a bite on their plate. Ask them to taste it; if they don’t want to try it immediately, don’t push them. Each meal you serve that food, continue to put a bite on their plate and ask them to taste it. Before too long they’ll do at least that.

Be sure you’re not introducing too many new foods at once. In fact, it’s better if you only introduce one new food at a time until your child starts eating it. This means that if you’re trying to get your child to eat peas, wait until you’ve had success with those before you introduce Brussels sprouts.

If the food is on their plate, let them play with the food. They may roll the food around on their plate, make faces in it by putting other food into it, or some other creative idea. If you allow them to play with the food, it won’t seem so intimidating.

Even though you might be tempted, don’t hide vegetables in something you fix. This might backfire on you. Although your intention to get your child to eat vegetables is good, they may decide to stop eating whatever you’ve hidden the vegetables in from now on.

Your own parents probably made you finish everything on your plate “because there are poor, malnourished children all over the world.” You don’t have to follow in your parent’s eating style. If your child doesn’t want to eat anymore, don’t make them finish their plate.

Give them what they like, to a point. If they like eating hot dogs, look for ones that have lower fat content. If they want ice cream buy the single serving sizes so they won’t be tempted to eat more than they need.

It’s not easy having a child who’s a picky eater, but you can survive it. Follow these do’s and don’ts of encouraging children to become healthy eaters. It may not happen overnight, but if you’re persistent it will happen.