Ep 229 Enhancing Food Choices for Celiac Kids

Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –

As a follow-up to Episode 148 I speak again with Dr. Diana Mager from the University of Alberta as she and her team have formulated a gluten free food guide for children that more meets their specific needs.  Currently they are recruiting families of newly diagnosed children (less than one year, and between the ages of 5 and 18) to participate in a study to look at the effects of the enhanced food guide.  Participants will be given one-on-one education and other resources regarding the nutritional needs of children with celiac disease and how those needs differ from the general population.  Here’s the link to find out more – https://conquer-studies.weebly.com/

As well, Dr. Mager’s group is also conducting a study to gather family friendly recipes which will make up one of the resources to accompany the food guide.  If you have a recipe that might be suitable, you are asked to open the link and complete the survey.  You can find the link at redcap.link/GFcookbook.  You can also contact Dr. Mager directly at mager@ualberta.ca.

You will hear Dr. Mager mention the Conquer studies. Conquer stands for – Celiac disease Outcomes in Nutrition, Quality of life, and Emerging Research. You can follow the Conquer team on Instagram @conquer_celiac and on twitter @conquerstudies.

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

Often when we think of research studies for celiac disease, we get uncomfortable with the thought that just maybe as a participant you might have to ingest gluten.  This, to me, is intolerable.  What I have learned is that the research organizations aren’t fans of making anyone sick either. 

In speaking with different researchers, I’ve learned there are many ways that we, as a community can contribute to the body of knowledge that will make our lives better.  In the case of Conquer, you don’t need to have a newly diagnosed child, just a family friendly recipe to contribute.

A few years ago, I was approached to participate in a study that required a small sensor to be implanted under my skin.  At first, I dismissed the idea, but when I received the second request (apparently, I met some very specific criteria), the material mentioned the research was part of a larger effort to identify individuals at risk of having a stroke.  A couple of years earlier, my father had a stroke, and I was familiar with the impact it had on our entire family.  I decided to participate in the study.

On reflection, it’s clear to me that if you, or a family member could possibly benefit from the research being done, you are more likely, even compelled, to participate in a study.  When I was editing the audio for this episode, I stopped to reflect on my statement that this research could help an entire generation – what I meant was an entire generation of celiac kids.  We often don’t realize the impact of poor nutrition on our bodies till years later, but if enhancing the nutrition of children with celiac disease helps them have better outcomes in areas of stature, fertility, and bone health to name a few, this study and participation in it is well worth any outlay of effort.

Dr. Mager and her group are careful to ensure all participants come away with a better understanding of the health needs of a celiac child.  Sounds like a win/win to me.