Ds Is Losing Weight On gluten-free Diet....when To Be Concerned

[wolfie]

DS started the gluten-free diet July 15th. He had been weighing in at around 87 pounds at home (I think he was 83 or so at the dr, though). He got on the scale this morning and was 80 pounds. He has been kind of picky with the foods that he eats, but still eats a decent amount. He hasn't been any more active than normal, if anything maybe less active now that baseball has ended. He starts hockey again soon and definitely can't be losing weight during hockey season. I am very aware of what foods are calorie dense that he can eat, but he is being very picky. He wants to just eat a bunch of junk (cake, brownies, etc), but that isn't good for him either. I don't mind him having a dessert, but only after he has eaten a good meal. He often says that he is full after eating small amounts. I am trying to get him to eat more frequently, too. Anyone have any thoughts? I plan on contacting his dietician on Monday to get some help, but thought I would check here too.

[ravenwoodglass]

DS started the gluten-free diet July 15th. He had been weighing in at around 87 pounds at home (I think he was 83 or so at the dr, though). He got on the scale this morning and was 80 pounds. He has been kind of picky with the foods that he eats, but still eats a decent amount. He hasn't been any more active than normal, if anything maybe less active now that baseball has ended. He starts hockey again soon and definitely can't be losing weight during hockey season. I am very aware of what foods are calorie dense that he can eat, but he is being very picky. He wants to just eat a bunch of junk (cake, brownies, etc), but that isn't good for him either. I don't mind him having a dessert, but only after he has eaten a good meal. He often says that he is full after eating small amounts. I am trying to get him to eat more frequently, too. Anyone have any thoughts? I plan on contacting his dietician on Monday to get some help, but thought I would check here too.

Something that helped both my DS and I with the weight issue was Carnation Instant breakfast, powder only the ready mix is not safe and don't get the chocolate malt. My DS would have one every morning and use 2 packets instead of 1. I used to make a milkshake every night with gluten-free ice cream. If he tolerates dairy you may want to add one as a beverage with a couple meals a day. If he had elevated blood tests during the diagnosis process I would rerun those tests to make sure his levels are going down. If they are not it would be an indication that he is getting gluten somewhere, either from a food or non-food source. I would also ask the doctor to check his blood sugar when they do the celiac panel again, just to be on the safe side.

[wolfie]

Something that helped both my DS and I with the weight issue was Carnation Instant breakfast, powder only the ready mix is not safe and don't get the chocolate malt. My DS would have one every morning and use 2 packets instead of 1. I used to make a milkshake every night with gluten-free ice cream. If he tolerates dairy you may want to add one as a beverage with a couple meals a day. If he had elevated blood tests during the diagnosis process I would rerun those tests to make sure his levels are going down. If they are not it would be an indication that he is getting gluten somewhere, either from a food or non-food source. I would also ask the doctor to check his blood sugar when they do the celiac panel again, just to be on the safe side.

Thanks so much for the ideas! He does like Instant Breakfast, so maybe I will have him double up or do one for dinner, too. He is also a big milkshake fan. Good idea about rechecking his bloodwork now. He is supposed to go back in January, but that may not be soon enough if he continues to lose weight.

Thanks again!

[Nikki2003]

I called the makers of carnation and it does have barley in not just the chocolate but all of them they say it is a small amount but it is still there. I use pediasure with nicole and that has no gluten or barley eyc.

Nicole was losing weight also when she started but now is finally starting to gain some back. Goo Luck

celina

[ravenwoodglass]

I called the makers of carnation and it does have barley in not just the chocolate but all of them they say it is a small amount but it is still there. I use pediasure with nicole and that has no gluten or barley eyc.

Nicole was losing weight also when she started but now is finally starting to gain some back. Goo Luck

celina

I have just gotten off the phone with these folks and the carnation JR and the ready to mix are not safe, just as the chocolate malt is not. But the powder form, just the regular powder in all flavors except the choc malt are gluten-free. They are supposed to send me an email with their gluten statement soon and I will cut and paste it when it arrives.

It arrived, I also posted this in the products section

September 11, 2006

Thank you very much for contacting NESTLɮ CARNATION