Gluten is a protein that appears naturally in wheat, rye, and barley. If your body cannot tolerate gluten, and you eat it, your intestine can become damaged. This leads to an inability to absorb essential nutrients and can contribute to a nutrient deficiency. Nutrient deficiencies can lead to health problems including anemia, weight loss, and lowered bone density. Symptoms of gluten-intolerance can include constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, delayed growth, and irritability. If your child is diagnosed with celiac disease, you will need to ensure he or she does not consume foods that contain gluten.
Grains That Contain Gluten
Foods that contain the protein gluten include a variety of grains. Foods to avoid include barley, barley malt, bran, bulgur, couscous, durum, emmer, einknorn, farina, faro, graham flour, kamut, matzo flour and matzo meal, orzo, panko, rye, seitan, spelt, semolina, triticale, udon, wheat, wheat germ, wheat starch, and wheat bran.
Processed Foods
It is important that you check food labels of products to make sure gluten is not an ingredient. You will also have to look for gluten-containing ingredients, such as wheat, rye, and barley. Many other products that are not grains contain gluten and these must be avoided by children who must follow a gluten-free diet. Foods to avoid include commercial breads, brown rice syrup, communion wafers, candy, croutons, broth, luncheon meats, pasta, roux, sauces, and salad dressings. Soups, imitation bacon and seafood, marinades, and medications may also contain gluten.
Gluten-Free Foods
It is important that your child continue to eat many grains and a variety of foods in order to receive all the essential nutrients for a healthy body. Many gluten-free grains are available to choose from, including amaranth, arrowroot, buckwheat, corn, flax, millet, potato flour, quinoa, rice, soy, tapioca, and teff. These grains can be cooked into hot or cold cereals, or baked into breads and other goods. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also good gluten-free foods to feed children. Fresh meats, poultry, fish, and eggs are naturally gluten-free. Other gluten-free foods include beans, legumes, and many dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. It is important that you continue to check labels to be sure some products, such as dairy foods, are completely free of gluten.
Helping Your Child
If your child must avoid gluten, there are certain things you can do to make this intolerance easier to cope with. "Practical Gastroenterology: Kids And The Gluten-Free Diet" suggests that you teach your child to read food labels, so then he or she can become familiar with foods to avoid and foods that are safe. Other suggestions include involving your child in meal planning and preparation, consuming gluten-free foods yourself and in your family, and making recipes flavorful and appealing with new grains and seasonings for flavor.
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