When our diagnosis came through I knew it was going to be a challenge. I also knew that success depended on the quality, flavors, and textures of the foods we were eating. So I made a few choices for myself in order to ensure it was a successful change for our children.
First, I decided I was going to eat everything they ate. If I was eating it and it tasted bad I could understand why they did not want to eat. I could also find items to replace those which were inedible, in order to prevent selective starvation. After all, as a fellow Gluten Free friend of mine put it 'it's amazing the motivation [you] have to find what works best [when your] taste buds are involved'. Very true!!
Second, find a replacement for all the favorites or frequently used items before starting the diet. If your kids like granola bars, find one they can have that tastes good. If they must have their cereal in the morning, make it happen. If you have good replacements for comfort foods, success will be right around the corner.
Third, against popular belief, you DON'T have to make the change all at once. Substitute out items as you find replacements. Remember you (or your child) have been eating these allergens or intolerances this whole time and you have not died yet, so a few days or weeks of imperfection is not going to kill you either. Make your best efforts; make a goal to change one or two items a week starting with the two most obvious items-- Bread and Milk.
You will be stressed for a while, but the end goal is success. Pushing yourself too hard or settling for edible cardboard will only exasperate the situation and cause you to give up on health.
If you would like more information to help you make informed decisions for your situation, you may want to read:
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