Celiac disease interferes with nutrient absorption. Therefore it can cause malnutrition. Malnutrition is defined as a lack of proper nutrition. Children need a constant supply of macro and micro nutrients to develop normally. Inadequate growth and weight loss is a common problem affecting malnourished children. Knowing the above to be true, one can safely say; children suffering from undiagnosed and untreated gluten intolerance will likely fail to grow to the heights recommended as normal by the standard growth charts.

Found a product with an unintended use; Dr. Oetker Organics Cooked Pudding and Pie Filling Mix (vanilla flavor). It can fill the void for what is currently lacking in the market place (a gluten-free /dairy free powdered coffee creamer). This product will dissolve completely in your coffee. It contains sugar so order your coffee black. Sold in most (possibly all) health food stores.

Call on your non-celiac friends to go gluten-free for Lent next year. It’s a win/win for celiacs and non-celiacs. They may find a wheat-free diet during Lent to be – energizing, healthier (if losing some weight is a goal) and beneficial in helping them to understand the difficulties celiacs face with regard to knowing whether the food is gluten-free or not when eating out.

Have no problem eating gluten-free at home, but when it comes to eating out; I’ am plagued with doubt. The prevalent attitude held by non-celiacs toward anyone with gluten intolerance seems to be comic at best. Until the harmful effects of gluten are taken seriously by the non-celiac population; our doubts, justifiable so – will remain up front and center when in a social setting.

Hanving knowledge of a family member or close relative with celiac disease is reason enough to get tested.