Little Tummies Big Challenges Podcast

Halloween is supposed to be full of costumes, candy, parties, and fun—but what happens when your child has celiac disease and can't eat most of the candy everyone else is enjoying?

In this special episode of Little Tummies, Big Challenges, I'm joined by Dr. Kristina Brookshire-Gay, PhD, a pediatric psychologist, to talk about the emotional side of raising a child with celiac disease.

When my daughter Sophie was diagnosed just before her fourth birthday, I worried about more than food. I wondered whether she would feel different, whether she would feel left out at birthday parties and Halloween, and how I could help her navigate a world where food is such a big part of childhood.

Together, Dr. B and I discuss:

🎃 Helping children feel included during Halloween and other celebrations
❤️ Talking to children about celiac disease without creating fear around food
💬 Supporting children when they feel different or left out
🧠 Recognizing when frustration may be turning into anxiety
👩‍👧 Managing parental stress, guilt, and the pressure to get everything right
🌱 Helping children build confidence and independence over time

This conversation is especially for parents who are navigating their first Halloween—or any holiday—after a celiac diagnosis. You don't have to have all the answers right away, and you don't have to figure everything out alone.

My hope is that this episode reminds you that childhood memories are about so much more than the food our children can or cannot eat. With preparation, support, and a little creativity, we can help our kids feel safe, included, and loved.

Thank you for listening to Little Tummies, Big Challenges, a podcast dedicated to helping families navigate life with celiac disease and raising gluten-free kids.

❤️ If this episode helps you, please share it with another parent who might need to hear this message.

Listen and follow:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/little-tummies-big-challenges-podcast/id1892873231

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#CeliacDisease #GlutenFreeKids #CeliacAwareness #CeliacMom #GlutenFree#Halloweencandy #LittleTummiesBigChallenges#Mentalawareness#Childrensmentalhealth@pediatricpsychology#raisingglutenfreekids#childanxiety

Traveling with a child who has celiac disease can feel overwhelming—but it doesn't have to stop your family from making memories. In Episode 6 of Little Tummies Big Challenges, I talk about traveling with a child who needs to eat gluten-free and share some of the things I've learned along the way.From preparing before you leave, packing safe foods, finding restaurants, navigating hotels, and being prepared when plans don't go exactly as expected, we're talking about how to make gluten-free travel a little less stressful.As a mom whose daughter, Sophie, was diagnosed with celiac disease before her 4th birthday, I know firsthand how scary traveling can feel after diagnosis. My hope is that this episode helps another family feel a little more confident saying:✈️ Preparing for a gluten-free trip🥪 What to pack🍽️ Finding safe places to eat🏨 Staying in hotels🧳 Planning ahead for unexpected situations💜 Traveling with confidenceIf you're raising a child with celiac disease, you're not alone. That's exactly why I created Little Tummies Big Challenges—to help families navigate life with celiac disease and raise confident, happy gluten-free kids.#CeliacDisease #GlutenFreeKids #LittleTummiesBigChallenges#CeliacDisease #GlutenFreeKids #CeliacMom #GlutenFreeTravel #LittleTummiesBigChallenges

Birthday parties can be one of the most challenging social situations for children with Celiac Disease.

In this episode of Little Tummies, Big Challenges, I share our family's journey navigating birthday parties, school celebrations, restaurants, and special events after my daughter Sophie's Celiac diagnosis.

I talk about the heartbreak of watching Sophie miss out on foods that other children could enjoy, the practical steps that helped us feel prepared, and how finding businesses that truly understand food allergies and Celiac Disease changed our experience.

From bringing our own food and traveling with a cooler to finding beautiful allergy-friendly desserts, this episode is about helping children feel included, confident, and safe while celebrating life's special moments.

Because every child deserves to enjoy the party.

#CeliacDisease #GlutenFreeKids #FoodAllergies #Parenting #LittleTummiesBigChallenges

If you’re raising a gluten-free child or navigating celiac disease as a family, subscribe for practical tips, real conversations, and support along the journey.

In this episode of Little Tummies Big Challenges, I’m sharing what gluten-free life with kids actually looks like in our home — from reading labels and avoiding cross-contact to creating simple kitchen systems and packing school lunches that work in real life.

I also share some of the products, routines, and small changes that helped make gluten-free life feel more manageable for our family.

If you’re navigating celiac disease or raising gluten-free kids, I hope this episode reminds you that it doesn’t have to be perfect — just practical, safe, and sustainable.

A behind-the-scenes look at our gluten-free kitchen, including 5 tips that helped us safely manage celiac disease every day.

This video walks you through:

What to buy after a celiac diagnosis

How to read gluten-free labels

What my child eats with celiac disease

Check out the links below for the Products you heard about in the video

SimpleMills Gluten Free

ScharGluten Free Pizza

Udi

GrandCanyon Gluten Free Bread

Snyders GlutenFree Pretzels

Katzgluten free treats

https://rumispassion.com/

KettleBrand Gluten Free Chips

ToasterBags

Inspired by our daughter Sophie’s journey, this podcast was created to help other families feel less alone.Hosted by a parent who’s been through the journey, this show shares real-life experiences, practical tips, and expert insights to help you navigate life with a gluten-free child.

This episode is describing early signs and diagnosis.

This podcast is here to support you, guide you, and remind you that you are not alone in this journey.

🎙️ New episodes What to expect next episode; What to do after your have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and reading labels — we talk about the things families actually face. What is to come-Explore parenting, advocacy, nutrition, and healing — all through the lens of raising a child with celiac disease.

Celiac disease, gluten-free kids, parenting, pediatric health, gut health, food allergies, family life

Little Tummies, Big Challenges is a podcast for families raising children with celiac disease.

Hosted by a parent who’s been through the journey, this show shares real-life experiences, practical tips, and expert insights to help you navigate life with a gluten-free child.

From the early signs and diagnosis to everyday challenges like school lunches, social situations, and reading labels — we talk about the things families actually face.

This podcast is here to support you, guide you, and remind you that you are not alone in this journey.

🎙️ New episodes explore parenting, advocacy, nutrition, and healing — all through the lens of raising a child with celiac disease.

Celiac disease, gluten-free kids, parenting, pediatric health, gut health, food allergies, family life