Gluten-free diet
A gluten-free diet is now often prescribed by pediatricians, but not bypassed by both therapists and gastroenterologists. This nutritional system is the only undisputed treatment for a digestive system disorder known as celiac disease. The technique is recommended by the World Health Organization and is successfully used by thousands of patients around the world. A gluten-free diet for children is always recommended before the age of 6 months, at an older age - only as directed by a pediatrician. This diet is currently being used for weight loss by some healthy adults. The theoretical basis for this use of this nutritional system is being questioned by many nutritionists.
Principles of a gluten-free diet
The basis of the diet is to avoid eating the special storage protein of certain cereals (gluten). This protein is otherwise called gluten. It is found in large quantities in the seeds of cereal plants. Wheat, rye, oats and barley are especially rich in gluten. Moreover, wheat has the largest percentage of this substance - up to 80% of the total mass of seeds. A gluten-free diet completely eliminates the seeds of these plants. Difficulties in adhering to such a regime are associated with the fact that many products contain gluten in a hidden form. Also sometimes gluten is included as an excipient in medicines and dietary supplements.
What foods will need to be excluded?
This diet does not contain wheat, rye, barley or oats. Flour, cereals, cereals from these types of grain are prohibited. It is also forbidden to eat starch and malt. And these substances in large quantities are part of sausage products, some dairy products (yoghurts, curds), ketchup, sauces, coffee, juices, sweets. Pay attention to the composition of the product. Many manufacturers indicate on the labels whether the product contains gluten.
What can you eat on a gluten-free diet?
Rice, buckwheat, peas, beans, corn, soybeans, millet, amaranth and quinoya are allowed from cereals and legumes. From plant foods, you can eat vegetables and fruits, including potatoes, any nuts. Vegetable oil from any raw materials (sunflower, corn, soybean, olive), tea, natural coffee do not contain gluten. Plant-free animal products are also gluten free. Therefore, those on a gluten-free diet can eat meat, fish, chicken, eggs, butter, milk and cheese.
Patients on a gluten-free diet may experience deficiencies in fiber, folate, cyanocobalamin, iron, and calcium. To compensate for the lack of these substances, a sufficient amount of rice, milk, cheese, meat, vegetables, including potatoes, must be introduced into the diet.
Adults and adolescents sometimes find it difficult to switch to a gluten-free diet. Special products without gluten can help in such a situation: cereals, pasta, bread. You can buy them from diet food manufacturers.
Gluten Free Diet in Children
Until a certain age, gluten can be dangerous even for a healthy child. So, according to the modern recommendations of the World Health Organization, children under 6 months should not be introduced to food products containing wheat, barley, oats, rye. This means that semolina, which is so popular for feeding, is safe only for children after six months. If you decide to feed a baby under 6 months old with something other than breast milk or an adapted formula, then choose gluten-free cereals (rice, buckwheat, corn). At an older age, children become resistant to this protein. Therefore, there is no need to follow a gluten-free diet for children after 6 months of life without special advice from a pediatrician.
Gluten free diet reviews
A gluten-free diet helps restore health to children and adolescents with celiac disease. According to reviews of the gluten-free diet of patients who started treatment only in adulthood, its effectiveness is high, but does not completely eliminate the symptoms. Reviews of the gluten-free diet of doctors are positive regarding the treatment of celiac disease and the prevention of food and allergic diseases in children. However, not everyone succeeds in losing weight with this diet. Foods (on the allowed list) are high in calories and do not contribute to weight loss.
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