The gluten free diet eliminates all foods containing even a trace of gluten, a protein that is found in the grains wheat, barley, and rye. Children who have been diagnosed with celiac disease, a disorder triggered by gluten, must keep their diets gluten free. A gluten free diet has also proven to be effective to curb the effects of behavioral disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism in children.
Types
A gluten free diet can help two groups of children: those who suffer intestinal damage from gluten, and those who suffer neurological damage from ingesting the protein, according to Dr. Rodney Ford, a pediatrician in Christchurch, New Zealand. In children with celiac disease, gluten causes diarrhea, constipation, bloating and abdominal pain, according to the Celiac Sprue Association. But other children get neurological damage from gluten, leading to ADHD and autism. Physicians prescribe the gluten free diet for children with both types of symptoms.
Significance
Children on a gluten free diet must not eat any foods containing wheat, barley or rye. That rules out some obvious child-friendly foods, such as regular bread, pasta and pizza, because all contain wheat. But many other products, such as salad dressing, soy sauce and even some salsas also contain wheat or another form of gluten. Parents of children on a gluten free diet need to become expert label readers to keep their children gluten free.
Function
Removing gluten from your child's diet is not difficult. Fresh fruits and vegetables, along with most fresh meats, are naturally gluten free. Many grains, such as corn, millet, sorghum and rice, also are naturally gluten free. Most supermarkets carry gluten free mixes for children's favorites such as brownies and cookies, and many food manufacturers note on a product's label if it is gluten free.
Time Frame
Children with symptoms of celiac disease or of gluten ataxia generally recover faster than adults when placed on a gluten free diet. Some parents report improvement or even partial resolution of symptoms within 24 or 48 hours, although full recovery can take several months or more. Many children with delayed growth will catch up quickly once they start to eat gluten free, and children with developmental delays often will overcome those issues once gluten free.
Considerations
A gluten free diet likely typically costs more than a regular diet; parents should expect to pay nearly twice as much for gluten free mixes and pre-made gluten free baked goods. Eating out also can be challenging with a gluten free child, since the children's menus at many restaurants feature mainly gluten-containing foods.
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