Starting my 5 year old on a gluten-free diet

[DanielleColeen]

New here... and I have a question. We’ve struggled with my daughter and her eating for almost 3 years (she’ll be 5 in October), and I’m at my wits end. Her pediatrician has been no help, but she won’t eat anything except maybe 5 things, complains her tummy hurts all the time, and has terrible mood swings. She’s been tested for celiac disease, but it sounds like those can be inaccurate in younger children (and we never actually got the test results back). I’m wondering if she has an intolerance.

anyways, all she will eat is gluten (bread, pasta, tortillas, etc), and I want to try a gluten-free diet and test it out,  how do I do that if her daily meals are made of gluten and dairy? Should I just try the gluten-free alternatives (bread, etc) to start and test it out? I’m worried she won’t eat anything if we go gluten-free. Anyone else run into this? Any solutions?

[Ennis-TX]

I would try a different doctor before going gluten-free and getting the FULL celiac panel done or at least one of the more comprehensive online test. Having celiac on record would qualify for special meal plans and accommodations in schools etc.  Getting scopes done might also shed some light, but unsure on the experience for a younger child.
https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/screening-and-diagnosis/screening/
https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/screening-and-diagnosis/diagnosis/

>.< remembering my mother or grandmother not letting me leave the table to I clear the plate, you eat eventually and learn not to waste any food. 

Anyway realistically, gluten-free baked goods in most cases are starch laden and very high in sugars/carbs. I would never suggest them as a staple but a treat. Exceptions being lower carb ones made from nut flours without the tons of starches and grains, although I am never gotten my cousins to eat those they will eat my homemade ones. I have a few healthy such as quick microwave bread I can share you can play around with. Although a balanced diet is key, so finding ways to get veggies, real fruit, and soft cooked meats/eggs should be considered even maybe some baked sweet potatoes.  (PS I am a believer in the paleo diet of our ancestors so my foods and meal suggestions follow).

[cyclinglady]

I agree that a second opinion is in order.  You should also keep and maintain medical records.  It is your right.  I would get the records.  

Children can take time to develop antibodies.  Often the screening (usually cheap, but effective)  TTG IgA test (commonly given when celiac disease is suspect) is not positive for a small child (and some adults like me).  Make sure she was given the the complete celiac panel which includes the DGP.  

Get the original tests results and consider that second opinion (share previous medical records with the new doctor (Ped  or Ped GI).  

All celiac disease testing requires a person to be on a full gluten diet.  If she has celiac disease accommodations will need to be made at school and that is important.  I know that you want her to feel better fast, but I think finding a supportive doctor might be better that experimenting with her diet.  Right now, you are just guessing.   

 

Edited June 4, 2019 by cyclinglady

[lanlanonearth]

This is an old thread, but I just wanted to add my personal experience to this topic. Before I started gluten-free for my son, he was getting more and more picky about food, favoring things with gluten (pizza, buns, etc) and disliking meat more and more (which he used to like). So gluten-free diet was a challenge to me at first. But I discovered that gluten-free helped to reshape his appetite. After going gluten-free, he became acceptive to meat again and had noticeably better appetite at every meal. Sauerkraut helps a lot during transition.