What do I do if my child is Gluten intolerant?
We all wish the best for our children and their health. As we do our best as parents to keep them happy and well-fed, it’s sometimes the case that complications can occur. Hundreds of thousands of parents across the UK have children who have varying degrees of gluten intolerance, from mild discomfort to Celiac disease. If your child needs to avoid gluten in their diet, there’s plenty of options to ensure they can enjoy great foods well suited to them.
Today we’re taking you through a set of common signs that your child may have some degree of gluten intolerance – and what to do if they are. Before we begin, please remember to consult your GP for professional medical advice before altering your child’s diet in any way.
What is Celiac disease?
Celiac disease is often mistaken for a food allergy. It is a common medical condition experienced by approximately one in every hundred people in the UK. For many, their condition is never properly diagnosed and they live a life with regular discomfort associated with their diet.
Celiac disease causes the body’s immune system to essentially attack itself whenever food with gluten is consumed. The discomfort, or more serious medical complications, are usually related to damage caused to the gut and gut lining when this happens. And importantly, Celiac disease can develop in a person at any age. In toddlers, it often occurs after cereals are introduced into their diet, which often contain gluten.
What symptoms should I look for?
As you’d expect, you’ll tend to see symptoms of gluten intolerance or potential Celiac disease within a few hours of your child consuming food with gluten in it. Generally, these symptoms include them becoming irritable, often crying and showing distress. More specifically, common signs of Celiac disease include diarrhea, fatigue and tiredness and apparent bloating. Your child may also exhibit signs of faltering growth.
As Celiac disease is the more extreme end of gluten intolerance, your child may have a milder sensitivity to gluten that still causes them persistent distress upon consumption.
What should I do to get a diagnosis?
As we mentioned before, it’s best you begin your investigation with a visit to your GP to discuss your concerns and findings so far. It’s usually the case at this point that they’ll refer your child to a specialist who can help test your child properly for gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease.
In most cases, testing begins with a straightforward blood test where the medical professional will look for antibodies that are produced in response to consuming gluten in people with Celiac disease. If your child shows results that indicate Celiac disease, it’s usually the case that they are then referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist.
Is it difficult to adjust my child’s diet to avoid gluten?
If your child is found to have Celiac disease or a degree of gluten sensitivity that causes them persistent discomfort, you will have to adjust their diet consciously and consistently. While this is a change from the norm and will limit their ability to eat at many restaurants and food franchises in particular, your home cooking and meal planning can still provide them with the delicious and healthy diet they deserve.
We’re fortunate now that we live in a time where ‘Free From’ foods that have no gluten are in abundance. Companies like Welsh Hills Bakery specialize in supporting the Celiac and gluten-sensitive community and have a diverse and affordable range of foods designed to give diversity and good nutrition to people who can’t have gluten. With a little work and research, your child can enjoy food just as great as those who can consume gluten.