Hello everyone. I wrote recently about my 18 month old and her vomiting. Thank you all for your responses. We went to see a gastroenterologist who is sending us for blood work, but in the mean time has my daughter on a gluten-free diet. I live in Honduras and there is no test for celiac disease! the way they test for it is by taking you off of gluten and if you get better then there's your answer, if not, then it's back to the drawing board. I'm not at all comfortable with that method of diagnostics, but it's all we can do for now. And because almost no one knows about it, there are no gluten-free products in stores (no rice flour, no gluten free mac and cheese, etc.). So, I'm pretty much stuck as to how to give her variety...she LOVES breads and such...Do any of you have ideas as to what I can make her as far as breads/carbs go. I do have corn meal, but that's about it. Also, if any of you have kids with celiac disease and know of foods that don't obviously have gluten...I dont' want to give her something by accident because I didn't know. And how long did it take your kids being off of gluten to get better/add weight, etc.?
Elizabeth Hasselbeck, one of the hosts on The View wrote a book called The G Free Diet. She has Celiacs disease and feeds her whole family (3 kids included) gluten free. From what I understand, the book has lots of recipes and extensive food listings on what she can eat and what to avoid because it may have hidden gluten. Good luck.
Hey K. -- how wonderful your girl is feeling better and isn't it called "medical practice"?? :) My cousin was allergic to wheat, dairy, and sucrose most of his childhood (cannot imagine how to eat!) but he grew out of it, and perhaps your daughter will too. He also almost had his intestines removed, but his mother found the answer (smile!) all's well that ends well:)
There are some great websites about celiac lifestyles -- just google 'gluten free' -- and here's a few to start you out. I just started a lighter version of Atkins, and it's definately a slow life-change to get away from bread.
It'll work out, and your daughter will feel better... just read all the labels, and take care of that beautiful baby girl:)
JUST SAW GLUTEN FREE SHORTBREAD WITHOUT SPECIAL INGREDIENTS:) http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Gluten-Free-Shortbread
http://glutenfreegirlabout.blogspot.com/
www.csaceliacs.org/recipes.php
www.celiac.com
www.gluten.net/recipes
i just had my son tested for celiac disease-- luckly we don't have it. My son is not gaining weight, has excema, and tested moderate allergy for gluten. If you get to the states i would suggest trying to get the test done some how. She could have an intolerance and not the disease but if she has the disease you should be on a strick diet. My understanding with the reading I did is if you have the disease and if you continue to eat gluten you basically permanetly damage your intestines. A good web site that list safe, non safe, and possible not safe foods is http://www.gicare.com/diets/Gluten-Free.aspx. Don't know if you can mail order foods but Tinkyada pasta is the best out of my gluten free choices. We have brown rice bread here as well that is OK, a little dense. GOOD LUCK TO YOU. My older son is so highly allergic to peanuts we can't have any food that is manufactured where peanuts have been, plus we are doing gluten free--so i definitely understand being food challenged.
I'm not much help, but I can tell you it's okay for your daughter to be "diagnosed" that way. I have been tested for celiac disease, and my results say I don't have it. My doctor agrees that I don't have it. But when I eat gluten I am infertile, have a distended stomach, deal with bouts of nausea and (often bloody) diarrhea. When I don't eat gluten I feel great, I can get pregnant, and everything is right with the world. So don't stress about that method - the more I read about gluten the less I think anybody should be eating it.
As for suggesting carbs for your little one, since I'm not quite sure what you have then I don't really know what to say. But one thing that has been helpful to me is the supercook website (www.supercook.com). You enter in your exclusions (all gluten, for instance) and the ingredients you have on hand (or think you can get) and you'll get all kinds of recipes that match your criteria. So easy to use.
Kelley- If you don't have access to buy gluten free products in sotres- you can look online- just google gluten free menues- I forget the name of the site- but you can buy flours and snacks and such or there is also a site where you can order gluten free meals...I'll try to find it and send you the link. I'm guessing from previously going gluten free with my oldest- it usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks before the gluten is totally out of thier system...I know lays potato chips are gluten free, corn products and you can also find gluten free waffles and pancakes (try on-line) I buy mine at a store called trader joes- but I know you dont have access to that. Sorry your going thru this- I'll try to find some more websites for you.
Hello K.,
I know that this is REALLY difficult for you! Changing a child's diet is really hard and can be expensive. The good thing is that your child is still young, and it can be a little bit easier. I was given two great websites to check out when we had to decrease my son's intake of gluten. Pecanbread.com and triumphdining.com On the last stated website, there is a toll free number to call and ask someone about your child and situation. I hope that this helps. I wish you were in the states; then it might be a little easier. I know you can do it, and your little one will feel so much better. Good Luck!
My 5 yr old son is on a gluten-free diet. I have found the cookbook: The Kid Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook to be very helpful. Our grocery stores have many gluten free procucts and the book will help you look for stuff that isn't marked. Also, you can order all sorts of gluten free products from amazon.com!
K.,
First I want to acknowledge what a great mom you are to keep digging to find a solution for your child. There are so many parents that take "this is the way your child is" and stop looking. Good for you! I for one am so proud of you! Keep up the good work.
There are some great books on this subject... I will try to find some and email them to you. Gluten is in so many items.. I have a friend that has Celiac and can use things like soy sauce and things with certain starches in them because they add a gluten substance in them.
I know that you can probably find some great info working with the DAN program and bet they have great references for you.
There is also a great interview within a series called "Parenting Can Be Easier" which deals with special needs kids. Gene M has done some amazing work helping children with environmental intolerances.
http://tinyurl.com/ParentingCanBeEasier
I highly recommend it!
Also, Jenny McCarthy's book "Mother Warriors" is a good book to help you keep the faith that you are on the right path and to keep you motivated to keep doing what you are doing when the easier path looks... well, easier.
All the best!!!!
C.
www.passionparent.com
A great book called...Living Well Without Wheat, The Gluten-Free Gourmet, by Bette Hagman is a wonderful source for recipes and flour mixtures that help with Gluten Free diets.
My Goddaughter has Celiac's and this book has been a godsend for her mom. I gave her another one as well, but can't remember the name of it. However, this book above, has tons of recipes and history as well as more information on wheat free diets that are easy to understand.
Good luck!!
