Gluten-Free at Waldorf schools

[rachelernst]

I am interested in helping my own Waldorf school, and perhaps others, understand and implement gluten-free classroom. This is my son and daughter's first year in an early-childhood Waldorf classroom and I am preparing to enter a dialog about gluten-bearing grains, soaking grains and alternative, low-allergen snack foods that will continue to support the weekly rhythm and experience of food preparation for young children.

I am seeking "case studies," resources and information to share with our school about how Waldorf teachers have implemented gluten free experiential rhythm. Perhaps, even grain-free.

[jbailey313]

Gluten free is wonderful!! My family primarily does everything gluten free. This is some of my research on Gluten. Gluten is a big protein, once ingested attaches to the opioid receptor in the brain, (which is the same receptor opioid medications attach to, ie. Morphine, Fentanyl, Dilaudid) thus making it hard to think/concentrate, making a person work harder to think and feel "fuzzy". It usually effects the various blood types differently, working more against the O blood type most predominately, therefore making O blood carriers more intolerant. It usually is a cumulative effect, "building up" over time and causing the "allergy". Also, because it is a big protein it is very hard to break down and digest and this also makes it a culprit to be a high allergenic food as well as causing internal "silent" damage such as intestinal damage; colitis, in turn which could lead to cancer if untreated, along with other damage throughout the body. Not to mention these allergies can be passed down generation to generation, getting worse each child.

Balance is a great thing to remember and food items such as gluten has beneficial qualities, but just in moderation. It would be wonderful for Waldorf schools to offer gluten free options as well as gluten, or just do gluten free snacks/meals if there are other gluten foods. It might be tough to ban it all together.

We attended Mommy and me at Waldorf school this past year and I educated the teacher on gluten and gluten free options. She was receptive and we had other options to eat for our "meals" times together. It made it very valuable for the children because they weren't singled out like we usually feel at other social events.

[lyrebird]

I’m not sure it’s entirely beneficial to go gluten-free across the board. Moderation is the key, I think. Have you tried spelt instead – it is an ancient form of wheat which does contain gluten, but my DS1 tolerates it but not so much regular wheat. I just always did separate dough for him, now he's in kindy two days a week I don't mind him having the wheat on breadbaking day. We try to keep him wheat free other times.

We were not built to consume vast amounts of wheat and corn, etc. – so it stands to reason it is becoming more of a problem, as food companies are pushing it more and more. We eat bread, pasta, more bread, pizza, more bread,…. We should be having more of a variety of grains, and preferably wholegrains and less refined ones.

As a side note, a very experienced and knowledgeable (and I think quite perceptive) anthroposophist commented recently to me that she believed the quality of wheat is different the world over, and here in Australia (and I’m thinking also in the US, not sure) it is harsher. She gave me an example of someone she knew who couldn’t eat wheat here but went to Europe and was easily able to tolerate it. Then came back here and was sick again if she ate the local wheat. She said she thought there was something in the soil that made it harsher.

Anyway, it’s certainly worth entering a dialogue about this with the school - The cost is an issue – with spelt and with gluten-free, I imagine too? Some playgroups will use spelt. Maybe they can do the odd/or planned spelt or gluten-free days? One of the issues with gf is that it’s high GI isn’t it? Wholewheat with grains is not…but hardly anyone does this I imagine anyway.

[mommabeehilly]

[megincl]

The founder/director of Evergreen Garden Playschool in Harvard MA is gluten free. We used to attend her parent child play time at another local Waldorf school. She has amazing recipes and definitely works GF into the rhythm of the school day and week. I'd try contacting her directly to talk about this, as I'm sure she has much wisdom to offer.

[babygirlie]

I personally think all early education programs should be gluten free (not in moderation!) You need must be gluten free if you are allergic and since kids are not tested here (weird) then we should all just go gluten free Especially in these very important growing years. My child has never had one bite of gluten thank god and no never tested. *proud*

Gluten should be treated with caution like strawberries and peanuts. man.. the life I could have head. I was virtually bed ridden since grade school because of gluten for 15 years! Man, I could have had a really great childhood instead it was hell.