Gluten Intolerance: What It Is and Three Tips on How to Deal With It

Gluten Intolerance otherwise known as celiac disease, coeliac disease, celiac sprue, malabsorption syndrome or gluten-induced enteropathy is a sensitivity problem particularly by the gluten factor of protein found in grains, wheat, rye, oats, and barley.

When ingested by a child with gluten sensitivity, a toxic substance called "glutamine" is released which causes swelling and degeneration of the small intestines causing malabsorption of fat and deficiency of fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K). In turn, the child would suffer from gluten intolerance symptoms such as steatorrhea (bulky, foul-smelling fatty stools), anemia and malnutrition.

Having the Celiac disease can be frustrating at first most especially for parents whose kids have such disease. But, with great knowledge and proper management, coping up will not be that difficult. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help you deal with gluten intolerance.

First, be knowledgeable about your disease. Information about the disease is needed for you to be able to take good care of your health. Know what are those included in your gluten free diet. These includes grains, corn, potatoes, rice, tapioca which is derived from cassava, starch sources such as amaranth, arrowroot, millet, montina, lupin, quinoa, sorghum, sweet potato, taro, teff, chia seed and yam. Various types of bean, soybean and nut flours are often used to add protein and fiber in the diet. Buckwheat and Gram flour is also acceptable.

Second, you must be careful with what you buy inside the grocery. Always check the labels and be a careful shopper. Ice cream, ketchup, packaged frozen foods, gravy, wheat flour and some other sauces do have gluten which is not suitable for persons with gluten intolerance.

Third, some over-the-counter or prescription drugs as well as cosmetics such as lip balms and lipsticks may also contain gluten. Before you use such cosmetics, take into consideration its compositions.

Although gluten intolerance is a disease wherein you can't eat all the things that you like, always put into mind that there are far more deadly diseases other than the Celiac disease. At least with this kind of disease, you won't be able to experience surgeries and chemotherapies just for you to get well. Just stick with your diet, read an all-in-one guide to gluten intolerance (like our product), be nice to your intestines and you won't have other problems to deal with.

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Gluten Free Foods To Cope With Celiac Disease In Children

Children with Celiac Disease should follow a gluten-free diet to avoid any complications with their condition. Even if a child is only suspected of having Celiac Disease it is wise to avoid gluten as much as possible.

The symptoms of Celiac disease are displayed when the body is unable to process gluten as it is digested in ordinary foods. The symptoms can include stomach cramps, irritable bowel and weight loss among other things. They can be particularly distressing for small children who may not be able to be diagnosed as easily as adults or older children.

Gluten is most commonly found in ingredients such as wheat, rye, barley, oats and other similar grain products.

Such ingredients are normally in flour based or cereal products so it can appear particularly difficult to remove them from children's diets as so many of their favourite foods will contain these things in one form or another.

However, it is quite easy to follow a diet that is free from gluten wherever you encounter Celiac Disease in children.

Foods to generally avoid are bread and bread rolls, rye bread, pumpernickel, pretzels, muffins, biscuits, cookies, bulgar wheat, couscous, scones, bran, barley water drinks, malted drinks, sponge puddings, anything coated in breadcrumbs, pizza, pasta, pastry, cakes, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, pancakes, crispbreads, semolina, breakfast cereals and muesli.

They are all the obvious ones but we should also watch out for other foods which might contain gluten, but might not seem so obvious. We should also avoid sausages, luncheon meat, gravy powders and stock cubes, blue cheese, baked beans, pates, meat or fish pastes, wafers, instant coffee, cheap chocolate, drinking chocolate, soy sauce, salad dressings, chutneys and pickles and malt vinegar.

Also be aware that many soups and sauces are thickened with flour.

Foods that are generally safe to eat on a gluten free diet can be categorized as follows:

Vegetables

Artichokes, Arugula, Asparagus, Avocado, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Garlic, Green beans, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Radish, Spinach, Squash, Sweet potatoes, Turnips, Watercress

Fruit

Apples, Apricot, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Carobs, Cherry, Cranberries, Currants, Dates, Figs, Grapes, Guavas, Honeydew melons, Kiwis, Kumquat, Lemons, Limes, Mandarin, Mangoes, Oranges, Papaya, Passion fruits, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plantains, Plums, Persimmons, Quince, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tamarind, Tangerines, Watermelons

Meat & Poultry

Beef, Buffalo, Chicken, Duck, Goat, Goose, Lamb, Pork, Rabbit, Turkey, Quail, Veal, Venison

Dairy/Eggs

Butter (check for gluten containing additives), Cheese (except for blue cheese), Eggs, Milk, Yogurt (plain, unflavored - most flavorings include some form of gluten)

Fish

Pretty much any fish as long as it's not prepared in gluten ingredients.

The bottom line is, avoid the obvious products that are based on or include gluten and always remember to read the labels on processed foods as it can sometimes be very surprising to find gluten in a product that you would not otherwise have thought would be on the list of foods to avoid.

But there are plenty of nutritious and tasty foods that can be used to avoid the symptoms of Celiac Disease in children.

How to Train Your Gluten Intolerant Child

Every parent wants only the best for their child. Children with gluten intolerance needs to have special attention when it comes to diet and this is very frustrating for both kids and their parents for a fact that these kids needs to be tutored on how to be good to their intestines. Here are some key points to remember to help you train your child with gluten intolerance.

First thing would be you should know the school policies on allergies and gluten intolerance. Whether it would in print or online, read to school manuals. Familiarize the policies and make a series of question regarding your child's condition such as, does the school provides a special menu for children with gluten intolerance especially on parties, holidays and sleep-away camps? Are paper works needed to be provided for a child with gluten intolerance? You should know these things in order for your child to be protected from celiac crisis when at school.

Second, have meetings with your child's teacher and the school nurse prior to the first day of school. Talking with people who would help you with your child is necessary for them to be able to guard your child's diet when you're not around. Help them both to be aware of gluten intolerance just in case if they are not familiar about it or never had experience any gluten diet before. Educate them regarding the symptoms of gluten intolerance and the things to do if ever these symptoms are observed. Help them plan for your child's diet especially when it comes to parties and field trips. These in turn would help the parents be at ease knowing that they have partners in taking care of their child when at school.

Third, provide your child with gluten free supplies. Make sure to check the ingredients before purchasing any material for your child. Gluten can hide anywhere. Common school supplies with gluten are glue, glue sticks, crayons, play doh, modeling clay and paint. Supply your child with cleaning wipes inside his/her backpack. This can be used in cleaning his/her hands or desk whenever contamination is suspected.

Fourth, give your child nutritional supplements (high-calorie drinks or vitamins). These are important due to malabsorption causing your child to be malnourished.

Fifth, children with gluten intolerance do have an increased risk of certain infections such as pneumonia. Protect your child by having him vaccinated, which is given only once.

Last but not the least, find substitutes for your child's favorite foods. Fortunately, this has become easier due to the fact that excellent gluten-free substitutes are already available n the market.

A gluten free diet is the key to recovery for a person with gluten intolerance. Educate your child on his/her illness. In this way, (s)he would also take charge in guarding his/her health. Train your child. Help him/her to be disciplined. This will help you to trust him/her whenever certain instances would require him/her not to be at home such as camping and tours.

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