The Best Beginning

19/09/2026

🍟 Have you ever been to a chip shop and been told, “Yeah, our products are gluten free — the heat of the fryer kills the gluten”? I've heard it more times than I'd like! 😬

I have updated one of my very old blogs with info on shared fryers, dedicated fryers and other waffle around the "heat destroying gluten" (bu****it).

Link in comments

18/09/2026

Sometimes child safeguarding starts with a feeling that something isn’t quite right.
Perhaps you notice a change in a child’s behaviour or they say something that makes you stop and wonder.

You don’t have to know exactly what is wrong to take notice of a concern. As a childminder, knowing the children in your care and recognising changes can be an important part of safeguarding.

Notice. Listen. Take concerns seriously.

Childminding Ireland is the National Childminding Association.
W: childminding.ie

04/09/2026

The foundations of positive mental health for the little coeliac...

Diet

Adherance to the gluten free diet and being aware of cross contamination and hidden gluten in food and non food products..
This is especially significant for children ..they may not be aware of what is irritating them internally or externally...

Linked with diet...
vitamins and minerals

Most coeliacs might need a little bit more monitoring and maintenance in vitamin and mineral intake.. and these are critical for brain growth and function for infants and children. Always check this out where before or in conjunction with neurodiverse queries for your little coeliac. It's an important baseline for brain health.

Inclusion
Coeliacs are highly vulnerable to exclusion or a sense of exclusion in social settings involving food...
This is everyday of life.
Child coeliacs need support from adults in feeling included in one of our most basic needs.
Inclusion in family meals through sharing the "difference" of gluten free, supports cementing that sense of confidence and certainty when socialising with food outside the home.
Children need strong clear advocates on safety issues on food and substances at school, clubs, camps and beyond. Make sure your child is informed on what has been shared and have a document that they can also check or share if they need to.
So it's ok to be protective...they need that before they set out dining as a coeliac!

The risk factors...
Young /child Coeliacs are vulnerable to anxiety, depression, OCD, disordered eating, PANDAS and neurodiverse (AdHD, Autism etc. ) diagnosis.
There are a number of studies and research examples of coeliac disease being masked by bipolar, schizophrenia and pica in adults. Sometimes this can be positively life changing. Some mental health and neurodiverse diagnoses co exist for coeliacs. So it's complex and being coeliac is not an easy road.

We are here to help with direct support for parents and online or face to face if you can get to Dublin. Direct work with children when assessment deems it necessary. ❤️

[email protected]

16/08/2026

The Gut Brain axis, coeliac disease and mental health..
Connection yes of course

Research yes

A recognised area by medics, gastronterology and psychiatry...hmmm

14/08/2026

In the 1990s, the photographer captured punks, partiers and late-night lovers on the underground. His images show city life before smartphones – when people still had to rush to make the final train

13/08/2026

12/08/2026

10/08/2026

07/08/2026

Eve Meehan offers five key tips (and a cake recipe) to others seeking to successfully maintain a gluten-free lifestyle