Which snack foods can the nurse recommend that are safe for a child with celiac disease?

Your Care Instructions

Celiac disease (or celiac sprue) is a problem with digesting gluten. Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, rye, and other grains. This problem starts when the body's immune system attacks the small intestine when gluten is eaten. The immune system is supposed to fight off viruses and other invaders, but sometimes it turns on the person's own body. (This is called an autoimmune disease.) Celiac disease seems to run in families.

Celiac disease causes damage to the small intestine. This makes it hard for the body to absorb vitamins and other nutrients. You cannot prevent celiac disease. But you can stop and reverse the damage to the small intestine by eating a strict gluten-free diet.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

  • Eat a gluten-free diet to prevent symptoms and damage to the small intestine. Even a small amount of gluten may cause damage.
    • Avoid all foods that contain wheat, rye, and barley. Foods that are often made with these grains include bread, bagels, pasta, pizza, malted breakfast cereals, and crackers.
    • Avoid oats, at least at first. Oats cause symptoms in some people. They may be contaminated with wheat, barley, or rye during processing. But many people who have celiac disease can eat moderate amounts of oats without having symptoms. Health professionals vary in their long-term recommendations regarding eating foods with oats. But most agree it is safe to eat oats labelled as gluten-free.
  • You may need to avoid milk and milk products for a while. Once you stop eating any gluten, the intestine will begin to heal. Then it should be okay to drink milk and eat milk products.
  • Read food labels carefully and look for hidden gluten, such as gluten in medicine and some food additives. If a label says "modified food starch," the product may contain gluten.
  • Plan your diet around:
    • Eggs.
    • Dairy products, if you can eat them. Cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products can be an important part of the diet.
    • Flours and foods made with amaranth, arrowroot, beans, buckwheat, corn, cornmeal, flax, millet, potatoes, gluten-free oat bran, quinoa, rice, sorghum, soybeans, tapioca, or teff.
    • Fresh, frozen, and canned meats, fruits, and vegetables. Watch for added gluten.
  • Talk to your doctor or contact your local hospital or dietitian for information about support groups in your area. You may find a support group helpful for discovering ways to help you deal with celiac disease. Celiac disease support groups often share recipes and good food sources.
  • Look for gluten-free foods. Many food stores offer specially marked gluten-free food.

When should you call for help?

Which snack foods can the nurse recommend that are safe for a child with celiac disease?

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:

  • Your bloating, gas, and diarrhea get worse.
  • You have bloating, gas, and diarrhea after not having them for a while.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter O343 in the search box to learn more about "Celiac Disease: Care Instructions".

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What can I feed a child with celiac disease?

Include a variety of foods that are naturally gluten free and safe. These include fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, unprocessed meats, poultry, fish, beans, nuts, oils, and sugar. Include naturally gluten-free grains and starches. Common forms are rice, corn, and potato.
Many foods, such as meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, rice, and potatoes, without additives or some seasonings, are naturally gluten-free. Flour made from gluten-free foods, such as potatoes, rice, corn, soy, nuts, cassava, amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, or beans are safe to eat.

How is celiac disease treated in toddlers?

The only treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet for life. This will allow your child's intestines to heal, and, in almost all cases, eliminate the symptoms related to celiac disease.

Can a child have celiac disease?

Celiac disease is a genetic, autoimmune digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food. About one in 100 people has celiac disease, making it one of the most common conditions in children.