How to Improve Health of Celiac Child

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten (a protein found in wheat) and can lead to a long list of serious health problems in both adults and children. Insuring the proper nutrition of a child with celiac disease can seem difficult because they can no longer eat an entire group of food (wheat and gluten), but there are many steps you can take that will aid in their healthy development.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Binder
• Blender
• Gluten-free liquid vitamin, like Schiff brand
• Gluten-free pediatric shake, like Pediasure or Cottontail
• Anti-inflammatory foods like avocados, nuts or fish

1. Make sure that your child is getting as many varieties of foods as possible to ensure his proper growth and ingestion of crucial vitamins. Start by creating a list of his formally favorite foods (such as macaroni and cheese or peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches) and research gluten-free recipes and alternatives that will entice him to eat. Create an easy-to-use recipe booklet with his favorite foods, so you can turn to fun creations whenever needed and promote a healthy appetite.
2. Add items into food in clever ways if your child is completely shunning foods like fruits or vegetables (whether because of insufficient appetite or the result of celiac symptoms). For example, add fresh blended berries into a “milkshake” recipe consisting of calcium-fortified almond milk and a packet of gluten-free instant breakfast shake. Get creative by adding chickpeas for protein into your child's soups, blending pureed vegetables into her hamburger meat before grilling or simply dressing up the classics (like serving gluten-free ranch dressing with chopped vegetables). Many children or toddlers will get overwhelmed if faced with too many food choices and end up shunning their options all together. Start out slowly by serving only one nutrient-packed item at each sit-down meal. Chances are, with a few days of consistent, patient mealtimes, your child will eventually get hungry enough to try new gluten-free foods.
3. Supplement your child's diet in the early years with a gluten-free multivitamin (liquid forms can go in bottles), or replace one drink per day with a pediatric vitamin shake. The majority of children with celiac disease are faced with health problems resulting from nutrient malabsorption. If a celiac child needs to gain or maintain a healthy weight, try pumping up his calories by adding allergen-free frozen yogurt to drinks or extra mayonnaise or olive oil to recipes, or simply let him eat whatever he is craving.
4. Support your child's all-around health by adding foods with anti-inflammatory properties to their diet. Celiac disease can be closely linked to a variety of other inflammatory disorders. Slice avocado atop a sandwich or blend with mayonnaise for a dip, or combine unsalted nuts with dark chocolate and dried fruit to create trail mix. Limit the preservatives, sugars and chemicals your child eats from processed products, and strive to create meals for the entire family using fresh and wholesome ingredients.
5. Make sure that your child remains active and participates in any preferred sports or hobbies throughout the week. Physical fitness and activity is a crucial part of any healthy lifestyle and childhood, so encourage your child to play outside, try out for a team or attend a dance or gymnastic class whenever possible. Simply staying fit as a family will persuade any child to stay active through example, so start going for walks, hikes, bicycle outings or swimming trips multiple times per week.

Tips & Warnings

• If your celiac child also suffers from lactose aversions, choose pediatric shakes or products that are free of diary or even soy.