This is a misleading title. There are a few reasons that your child shouldn't go gluten free unless they have too. There is a new phenomenon that many parents are putting their children on gluten free diets. Parents are doing this because they think its healthy, however a gluten free diet can be very unhealthy for children.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and some other grains. It is found in bread, baked goods, cereals, pastas, and many other foods in small amounts. For people with Celiac disease, even those small amounts can make them sick.
Yet "gluten free" is all over products in the grocery store as if gluten were evil. However gluten isn't evil at all. Here are three ways that a gluten free diet can be unhealthy for children:
1. It can be missing important nutrients. Whole grains contain many nutrients including B vitamins, iron, selenium, antioxidants, and magnesium. They also have a lot of fiber which is good for digestion.
2. It can be low in calories. Kids need calories to grow, when you cut out a large group like gluten, it can be hard to achieve a child's needs. It takes a lot of planning and work.
3. It can take away from a kids childhood. Gluten is in so many foods, being gluten free can also make school lunches, play dates and parties more difficult. It also comes with a high price eating gluten free.
Think before cutting out gluten from a growing child's life. Talk with your doctor, see what tests can be done to make sure cutting out gluten is right for your child. A child's diet can have a big effect on not only her current health, but her future health.
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