It was the again usual visit to the pediatrician. My son was having pain in his abdomen.
However, this time was going to be different. I was really not prepared for the medical results.
A usual routine visit to the Pediatrician turned into a medical investigation. I was just not satisfied with the doctor’s examination. I knew there had to be more to my son’s constant stomach aches. The medications prescribed were like a bandage over a wound. It felt short term and my son’s pain would reappear after awhile.
My child was not a peaky eater!
We mums just want to see our kids eat. We feel a sense of accomplishment when the dinner plate is empty and its a special feeling when your child asks for more.
But, when your child takes a few small bites and refuses to eat the delicious meal you prepared. Words cannot explain the thoughts and feelings a parent experiences by a child’s lack of appetite.
What can parents do when their children don’t like eating?
Sometimes the answers are staring you in the face. My advice to all parents is to research, ask questions and never stop finding a way to help your child.
One day, I stood in an overcrowded hospital elevator and I saw a doctor’s specialty being advertised. It was then that I realized that we were consulting the wrong physician.
We needed to see a Pediatric Gastroenterologist
Why didn’t the pediatrician refer me along time ago? Why would they fail to investigate further? I felt betrayed by the medical system.
I went home and started researching Gastroenterology. I wanted to understand and educate myself on digestion.
It became my responsibility to empower myself so that I could provide my son with a better quality of life.
In a desperate search for a reputable and experienced doctor, I was finally able to get my son the help he needed.
It has been a medical journey that has educated and enlightened us to understand how food can impact your digestion.
Being Diagnosed with Celiac Disease
I was determined not to feel defeated the day the doctor told me that my son could not eat gluten food again.
Fear, panic, and anxiety were not going to control me. I decided then and there that it was going to be okay. He would be okay! Life would be okay!
I needed desperately needed education on Celiac Disease. I needed to understand what gluten-free meant. I needed to prepare him and us for a gluten-free life.
Where do you begin?
We all react differently to medical diagnosis. My strength, my attitude, and thinking will vary from one person to the next.
But we all have the same need and that is to understand and know how to live a Gluten-free life.
Google.com
As usual, I dived into Google.com What else could I do late at night when I was thinking about what food I could feed my son.
I wanted to read as much as I could on Celiac Disease. The more I read I discovered that I was becoming overwhelmed by the amount of information that was online.
Facebook.com
So I joined Facebook groups so that I could read people’s experiences living gluten-free. The groups helped me discover information online. The thoughts and feelings of other parents and people helped me feel less alone. Some days while browsing through feeds on Facebook, I would stumble on a recipe, a brand or a website that would help me.
If you have a child, relative or friend that has been diagnosed with Celiac disease or has been informed by a healthcare provider to eat a Gluten-free diet, remember that you are not alone.
Some people are willing to offer advice, support, and help.
You just have to open yourself to join a community. In return, you will be sharing and giving back the knowledge that you have gained and your experience.
What is Celiac Disease?
A serious autoimmune disease that is triggered by consuming a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye.
Celiac disease is a problem with digesting gluten, a protein in foods like bread, crackers, and pasta, affecting the absorption of nutrients.
Symptoms include gas and bloating, weight loss, and fatigue. The list of symptoms varies from person to person. You can only understand the effects of Celiac when you have the disease.
When a person with celiac eats gluten, the protein interferes with the absorption of nutrients from the food by damaging a part of the small intestine called villi. Damaged villi make it nearly impossible for the body to absorb nutrients into the bloodstream, leading to malnourishment and a host of other problems including some cancers, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, infertility and the onset of other autoimmune diseases.
There is currently no cure for celiac disease and the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet.
Does your child have Celiac Disease?
Most of the time parents and caregivers will not be able to know if their children have Celiac disease. It is very important to get your child tested if they are experiencing symptoms related to Celiac. A specialist will be able to properly guide and instruct you on the medical tests that need to be done.
If your child is experiencing a lot of pain after eating gluten then it’s best to create a food diary.
What is a food diary?
It is documenting all the foods that your child consumes and how often your child goes to the bathroom. This will help you determine which foods might trigger digestive problems.
A food diary will also help you explain your child’s dietary problems to the doctor. Whatever information you have, will help the doctor to help your child.
Speak to your child about the disease. If you are confident and can explain it to your child you will help your child understand and prevent the psychological stigma associated with having the disease.
There is nothing to be afraid of and it is not a shameful disease.
Your child should accept and understand that it is a diet that excludes gluten. It is not the end of the world, but the beginning of a new lifestyle.
There is so much to learn and understand about living a Gluten-free diet. When you eliminate things from your diet that help you stay regular like wheat, then you need to find alternatives.
This is when education about the diet becomes increasingly necessary.
Communication with School and Teachers
Inform the school about your child’s dietary needs and wellbeing. Teachers might offer candy as a reward and some candies contain gluten. Classmates may celebrate birthdays with their peers.
If the school and teacher know then it becomes easier for your child to feel protected and not alone.
I have taught my son as much as I could so that he can make choices for himself when I’m not around.
Learning to read product ingredients is very important. A lot of products contain gluten. Instead of feeling overwhelmed that most groceries contain gluten, try to remain hopeful.
Knowledge is power! You are now able to buy better and cook wisely.
Dealing with cross-contamination
Gluten contamination occurs when gluten-free food comes into contact with food that does contain gluten.
This can happen at home or in restaurants. It is always simple mistakes that can have adverse effects on a Celiac or Gluten insensitive person. Dipping your knife into the butter might not seem a big deal, but if you used that knife on a slice of gluten bread, the implications can be terrible.
There is so much to remember and it can be difficult for larger families. But we are capable of adapting and that is a key requirement for dealing with Celiac disease.
It’s always better to be prepared!
A casual family day out might turn out to be stressful if you not prepared for a hungry person.
Remember that it can be challenging finding a restaurant or menu that has gluten-free options or where there is no cross-contamination.
Get in the habit of packing a gluten-free snack or meal when going out.
It’s very important to pack gluten-free snacks and meals. If you are lucky to find a restaurant serving gluten-free options, you can always save it for another day.
What can a Celiac or Gluten-intolerant person eat?
There are so many gluten-free options that it’s hard to believe that eating gluten-free all the time is possible.
Did you know that most ethnic restaurants naturally cook gluten-free?
Indian food can be safe, but you have to make sure that sauces do not contain wheat. Some restaurants grill meat and bake roti/ flatbread in the same oven.
Remember that the risk and chances of cross-contamination are always high when eating out.
The good news is that you can cook Indian food at home.
There are so many Indian recipes online and once you discover how easy it is to prepare. Your entire family will be enjoying delicious and flavorful food.
Mexican food
Traditional Mexican food is generally gluten-free. However, some restaurants use oil to fry different things. It is always best to ask the waiter and speak to the manager if possible. They will be able to ease your concerns.
Once I wanted to order french fries for my son. I asked the manager and was pleased to learn that the fries were only fried in an oil specified for it. It made feel comfortable ordering.
Learning to prepare Mexican food can help you create a wider selection of food for your family.
Thai food
I love Thai food and there are many gluten-free options. You do want to avoid fried foods and inform the waiter about your gluten sensitivity. Most restaurants can tell you what ingredients are used to prepare the meal.
Make sure to inform any restaurant that wheat and flour are harmful. Some restaurants use flour or wheat in gluten-free food.
List of Gluten-free foods!
All whole grains are safe to eat.
Stay away from
- You cannot eat whole wheat, wheat berries, graham, bulgur, farro, farina, durum, Kamut, bromated flour, spelt, etc.)
- rye
- barley
- triticale
All Fruits and Vegetables
Stay away and watch out for canned, frozen and dried fruits and vegetables that may contain gluten. There are many options that are prepared gluten-free.
All Proteins are safe.
Watch out for these food choices. Read the label ingredients.
- Avoid foods that are processed meats, such as hot dogs, pepperoni, sausage, salami, and bacon
- meat substitutes, such as vegetarian burgers
- lunch meats or cold cuts
- ground meats
- proteins that have been combined with sauces or seasonings
- ready to eat meals
Diary products are safe. Unless your lactose- intolerant. If you struggling to digest dairy there are lactose-free options.
Avoid milk drinks that you haven’t made! Some of café’s and shops use barley and wheat as mixers.
Oils are safe, but watch out for sprays and flavored oil.
Spices, sauces, and condiments
Important Tip– It is very important to read the ingredients. If it doesn’t mention how it was made on the bottle, its best to avoid it.
list of ingredients and food additives that may indicate that an item contains gluten.
- modified food starch and maltodextrin (if made from wheat, it will be specified on the label)
- malt-based ingredients, including malt vinegar, malt extract, and malt syrup
- gluten stabilizer
- soy or teriyaki sauce
- wheat-based ingredients, such as wheat protein and wheat flour
- emulsifiers (will be specified on the label)
What are the risks of a gluten-free diet?
Whenever you following a planned diet you need to consider the risks. If you eliminating food from your diet make sure you are replacing them.
In a gluten-free diet, avoiding whole grains is a must. But whole grains are rich in fiber and help you stay regular.
You would need to eat foods that can help you maintain fiber in your diet, such as beans and lentils.
Tip- Indian and Mexican food have great lentil and bean recipes!
Nutritional deficiencies: Avoiding foods that contain gluten can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients, including iron, calcium, fiber, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin.
Foods that help you maintain a good nutritional balance in your diet
Vitamin B6 – help you fight off infections, maintain normal nerve function, carry oxygen throughout your body, and keep your blood sugar within normal limits.- Chickpeas, garbanzo beans, tuna, chicken and salmon.
Folate – helps your body make new cells spinach, asparagus and brussels sprouts all are high in the nutrient, as are green peas and broccoli.
Vitamin D – plays a significant role in the regulation of calcium and maintenance of phosphorus levels in the blood. These factors are vital for maintaining healthy bones. consume dairy products, you can look for products fortified with vitamin D (that includes most milk and yogurt, but be sure to purchase only gluten-free yogurt)
Iron -helps carry oxygen – Eating beef, meat, and turkey. Soybeans and lentils are also a good source of iron.
Vitamin B12 – maintain your nerve and blood cells, and those who are particularly deficient in B12 can find themselves fighting constant fatigue. Meat, fish and, dairy products are good.
Thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin are all B vitamins, and all play a role in converting the food you eat into energy. Beans tend to be a good source of thiamin—half a cup of green peas or lima beans will give you about 50 percent of what you need each day. Acorn squash and potatoes also contain significant thiamin.
Riboflavin – you can turn to dairy products: a glass of milk plus a cup of yogurt every day would cover you. Meat also is a good source of riboflavin.
Niacin –all types of meat, poultry, fish and dairy are high in the nutrient. If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, portobello mushrooms, pumpkin or squash seeds, peanuts or beans.
Is eating gluten-free expensive?
I am sure there is much to debate about whether it is expensive or not to eat gluten-free.
The way you eat and what you eat is really a lifestyle choice.
Eating the right and nutritious foods can be affordable. Spinach is a perfect example of an inexpensive vegetable that is great for anyone.
How you cook and prepare your meals can play an important part in eating gluten-free. I honestly believe that it is not difficult to prepare gluten-free meals.
Be creative and use online resources to help you eat healthier and better!
Eating gluten-free meals in Abu Dhabi
I am going to be a bit more biased when it comes to where to eat. As a longtime resident of Abu Dhabi, I tend to eat out a lot more in the Capital than anywhere else in the UAE.
Here are a few places that we have tried offering gluten-free options
Pizza Express – Arc Tower – Reem Island – Abu Dhabi
Tawa Bakery -Al Muneera Beach Plaza – Abu Dhabi
Russo’s Pizza -2nd Floor, Al Wahda Mall, Haza Bin Zayed the 1st Street (Defence Road)، Al Wahda – Abu Dhabi
Nandos Chicken (South African) -Boutik Mall – Abu Dhabi
Royal Orchid (Thai)-Salam Street main road, Near Adnoc Petrol Pump, behind ADCB bank – Abu Dhabi
Kwality Restuarant (Indian )-Al Salam Street Behind UNB Bank and ADNOC Station – Abu Dhabi
May your life be filled with healthy, delicious and nutritious meals!
Superlady
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