Has your child experienced recurring digestive disorders such as diarrhea, flatulence, or difficulty gaining weight despite eating enough? It could be an early symptom of celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that can attack a child’s digestive system, especially if not treated early.
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system reacts to gluten, which is a protein normally found in wheat. In children with celiac, consumption of gluten-containing foods can damage the walls of the small intestine and interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, this damage occurs due to an immune response that attacks the villi of the small intestine when exposed to gluten.
Symptoms of this disease in children can range from mild to severe, such as:
- Chronic diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and flatulence
- Difficulty gaining weight
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Skin rash
- Anemia or iron deficiency
If left untreated, celiac disease can lead to developmental disorders and long-term nutritional deficiencies. Based on research published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (2020), children with celiac who do not receive proper diagnosis and treatment are at risk of physical and cognitive developmental delays.
Tips to Prevent and Manage Celiac Disease in Children
Although celiac disease cannot be cured, it can be controlled with a proper diet. Here are some steps that parents can take:
- Avoid Gluten Early on
If your child has been diagnosed with celiac, it is important to avoid all foods that contain gluten. In Indonesia, gluten is commonly found in wheat flour and its preparations such as noodles, bread, cakes and fried foods. As with barley and rye in Western countries, these ingredients need to be avoided. According to a scientific article from the Mayo Clinic, a gluten-free diet is the only effective way to avoid intestinal damage from celiac.
- Introduce Nutritious Gluten-Free Foods
Gluten-free carbohydrate sources such as rice, corn, cassava and potatoes can be a safe alternative. Also, provide quality protein from eggs, meat, fish and nuts.
- Meet your dietary fiber needs
One of the challenges of a gluten-free diet is low fiber intake. According to the British Journal of Nutrition, fiber plays an important role in maintaining healthy gut microbiota and strengthening the immune system, especially in children. Fiber also helps reduce the risk of constipation, which is common in children on a gluten-free diet.
Make sure your child gets their fiber intake from gluten-free vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, combined with healthy proteins for optimal digestion.
A Healthy Alternative Choice that Supports Children’s Nutrition
To fulfill protein needs and support healthy digestion, tilapia fish from Regal Springs Indonesia is a great food choice. Tilapia is high in protein, low in fat and easy to digest, making it suitable for children on special diets such as gluten-free.
While fish is not a direct source of fiber, combining tilapia with fiber-rich vegetables in a daily diet can improve overall gastrointestinal function. According to a study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, a diet high in quality protein and fiber from natural sources can help reduce inflammation in the gut and support microbiota balance.
Regal Springs Indonesia’s tilapia products are also sustainably produced and HACCP certified, which ensures food safety and quality – especially important for children with certain food sensitivities.
Don’t Underestimate Celiac Disease
Celiac disease in children should not be taken lightly as it can have a serious impact on long-term health. By recognizing symptoms early on, avoiding gluten-containing foods, and maintaining nutritional intake-including meeting fiber and protein needs from trusted sources such as tilapia fish-the child’s health can be maintained optimally.
