728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
Get Pregnancy Information
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › General Health › Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease

Understanding This Autoimmune Disorder

By Lisa A. Goldstein

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Eating Gluten Free

"At first, I despaired that my daughter wouldn't survive without her beloved mac-n-cheese, but there's a GF option," Goldstein says. "Other food alternatives exist."

Because the disease is hereditary, family members of people who have been diagnosed should be tested for the disease, Dr. Green says. "About 10 percent of an affected person's first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children) will also have the disease," he says. "The longer a person goes undiagnosed and untreated, the greater the chance of developing malnutrition and other complications." Untreated people can incur a higher risk of additional autoimmune disorders, neurological problems, osteoporosis and even cancer.

One issue for people who have celiac is cross-contamination. This is when gluten-free food comes into contact with food containing gluten – even in very small amounts. "If you put peanut butter on a piece of bread and then get more peanut butter, inevitably a few crumbs drop in the jar," Bast says. "Those crumbs could cause someone with celiac to get sick when they use the same jar." A young child's life has many food-related events: school parties, friends' birthdays, eating in the school cafeteria, eating out or ordering takeout, Bast says. "Besides the details of how to cook, [you must] buy and bring GF food for all of these occasions," she says. "The emotional aspect for a child is difficult."

A diagnosis can be overwhelming, but attitude sets the tone for how a child will handle his disease and diet. The philosophy recommended by experts is echoed by Jamie Yadgaroff of Penn Valley, Pa., whose son was diagnosed at age 3. "I try to make being gluten free a positive and special thing for my child, not a burden or a negative," she says. "I did not make my entire household gluten free because I felt that my son needed to learn that his diet is different. I didn't want to create a fantasy world at home. However, I created a few shelves in my pantry that he could reach that contain all gluten-free foods."


Pages:  1  2  3  4  

Want to see more?

Comments

There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.