How Do You Know If Your Child Should Be Gluten-Free?

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Disclaimer: the following post is about our personal experience – I’m always happy to share our story with others. However, the contents of this post are not intended to offer medical advice, diagnose health problems or suggest treatments. This post is not a substitute for medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional.

“There is more risk than benefit to a gluten-free diet for people — especially children — who haven’t been diagnosed with celiac disease or wheat allergy, according to the Journal of Pediatrics.”
(Gluten-free isn’t healthy choice for most children, pediatrician says)

Articles like this one make me feel so angry. And confused. And guilty. Basically all the feelings.

My daughter River has been gluten-free for two and half years now, minus the seven weeks that she ate gluten to prepare for a celiac test.

“Most of those consumers are eating gluten-free without checking with a dietitian or health professional, making it a fad that could be affecting thousands of children, Reilly said.”
(Gluten-free isn’t healthy choice for most children, pediatrician says)

I question my decision to force a gluten-free diet on my daughter at least once a week. After all, it’s a pain in the butt for everyone. Gluten-free flour costs more than regular flour. Packaged GF foods cost a small fortune. I hate that she misses out on birthday cake at parties. I hate that she can’t eat much of the food at most restaurants. I hate that potlucks – well, I just hate potlucks in general.

River started her gluten-free diet a few months before she turned six. The improvements were obvious and immediate, both physically and emotionally. Her colouring went from deathly-pale to Watson-pale. Her eyes became clearer, her teeth lost their yellow tinge. She stopped throwing up all the time. We were delighted and we settled into the gluten-free lifestyle for the long haul.

Over time, though, I started to second-guess myself. Were the improvements all in my head? Was I inflicting this weird diet on my child for no good reason? Of course being a typical mother, I worried about the opposite at the exact same time. Maybe I wasn’t being strict enough. If she was truly celiac, why weren’t we being more careful to avoid cross-contamination?

Comments

5 responses to “How Do You Know If Your Child Should Be Gluten-Free?”

May 16, 2016

Jacquie Reeds

UGH!!!!!! I am so sorry to hear of your and River’s (and your whole family’s) experience! I’m so glad you have found a solution that works for her.

I definitely had to bite my tongue when I read the part about dietitians … Hahaha. I’m a dietitian myself! I must assure you and your readers that I do not practice that way! My approach would have been to review River’s diet to ensure she’s not missing out on any important nutrients (for some families, getting enough fibre is tough when first learning a gluten-free diet) and to help connect you with resources if needed. (And of course high-five you for figuring out what was making her feel so terrible!!!).

Do not doubt yourself or River’s instincts! You are doing the right thing!

Reply
1. May 17, 2016
  
  Tamara
  
  LOL, I’m sorry, I was hard on dieticians but I do have a lot of respect for them in general.
  
  I’ve seen three with River and I was frustrated after each visit. I felt like I had gone to the hassle of seeking out help for my daughter’s diet issues – and it was a hassle, I needed referrals each time – and each dietician that we saw assumed that I didn’t know the most basic of information. It was like Nutrition 101. And no matter how many times someone tells me WHAT my child needs to eat, no one has been able to tell me HOW to get my child to eat it.
  
  But I’m certain there are plenty of dieticians out there who could have been more helpful – they just don’t work out of my doctor’s office ha ha ha.
  
  Reply
May 18, 2016

Jody Smith

Thank you for this article we are struggling with this now. My daughter was recently “diagnosed” with celiac via blood tests. I was told that was not 100% accurate and they want to do an endoscopy and colonoscopy but we do not really want to have such invasive testing done if not necessary. We decided to start with changing her diet to see if it improved her symptoms but are struggling to get completely GF-we don’t eat as healthy as we should in general anyway. She has throws up randomly from time to time, is very emotional, and has a lot of potty trouble so I suspected celiac or at least an intolerance early on. Do you have any tips for me starting out with a GF lifestyle?

Reply
March 15, 2017

Kirstie

My son doesn’t have celiac …but he was diagnosed with a beef,wheat(gluten), and dairy intolerance via the allergist. I actually had to self refer there. Now no one questions my food choices.

Reply
1. March 16, 2017
  
  Tamara
  
  Did the tests require blood work? I would really like to bring my daughter to an allergist but I’m hesitant if they’ll have to draw blood. Let’s just say it didn’t go well last time LOL.
  
  Reply