As there is a growing awareness associated with celiac diseases, people are trying to curb gluten intake as much as possible, especially when you are pregnant. Gluten intolerance during pregnancy has been found to have impacted fetal brain development. You can find a large portion of gluten in rye, barley, wheat, and more.
Some people have gluten intolerance along with food sensitivity. If you are pregnant and with such probable issues it is important to keep gluten at bay. Gluten sensitivity can destroy the brain and the nervous tissue way more than any other bodily tissue. It is also linked with some other neurological disorders. So, to avoid all these problems going for a gluten-free diet plan is a good call.
In This Article
- What is Gluten?
- What is Gluten Intolerance?
- Signs and Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance During Pregnancy
- Complications of Having Gluten Intolerance During Pregnancy
- Gluten-Free Diet During Pregnancy
- FAQ’s
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a substance, which is formed whenever two specified proteins are combined together. It mainly occurs in multiple grains belonging to the cereal family. The popular one among the lot is wheat. Not just gluten, but there are some other protein composite compounds available too, which make the dough elastic and to be molded in any shape or form.
What is Gluten Intolerance?
Gluten intolerance is a common concern these days. It is primarily characterized by some of the adverse reactions to gluten, which is mainly found in rye, barley, and most wheat. There are multiple reasons behind gluten intolerance. Some of those are wheat allergy, celiac diseases, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and more.
There are some people whose bodies cannot synthesize gluten presence in the food particles. It can give rise to various consumption issues, mainly from the gut. It will hit the digestive system hard in its initial stages.
During this stage, the immune system of the gut will start to attack the healthy tissues of the intestine itself because of gluten’s presence in the tracts. It can be pretty harmful, and taking proper preventive measures is a must.
[Read : Depression During Pregnancy: What Is It?]
Signs and Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance During Pregnancy
Not just restricted inside your body, but the symptoms of gluten intolerance can be seen in other parts of your body as well. Let’s focus on some points first:
1. Depression
The impact of gluten can result in mood imbalance in gluten intolerance people. It results in anxiety or some of the other depression symptoms.
2. Confusion in Thinking
Gluten presence might trigger immunoglobulin G. It will first act as an antibody but will affect mental health. So, gluten intolerant women often complain about confusing feelings or not being able to think straight.
3. Joint Pain Due to Gluten Intolerance
There is a connection between joint pains and gluten sensitivity among women, especially the ones suffering from arthritis. Gluten intolerance might result in inflamed joints along with excruciating pain.
4. Tiredness
Gluten inside the body will ring the internal alarm bells. It will force the body to use all its energy and resources to protect it from external infections. The main goal is to keep the process intact. However, to do that, your body feels extremely tired all the time, and you end up feeling lethargic.
5. Tremendous Headaches
Pregnant women suffer from migraines because of multiple reasons. Among the lot, gluten reaction or allergy can be one major reason. After going for a gluten-free diet, these women can keep excruciating headaches at bay.
6. Autoimmune Disease
There are various diseases triggering the immune system, and gluten sensitivity is one of the reasons behind them. Consuming any gluten-based item can lead you to autoimmune diseases, resulting in health issues.
7. Weight Loss
If you are suffering from gluten intolerance during pregnancy, you will get hold of drastic weight loss, even when the diet and eating patterns remain the same. This weight loss is pretty harmful, especially when you are carrying another life within you.
8. Dental Issues
If you have gluten sensitivity, it might result in ulcer formation inside your mouth. These issues can range from susceptibility to dental cavity formation to even decayed teeth to some extent. It can even give rise to recurrent mouth sores.
[Read : Headaches And Pregnancy]
Complications of Having Gluten Intolerance During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and have gluten sensitivity, consuming gluten-based food will have some serious complications. So, make sure to focus on those complications so that you can take preventive measures accordingly.
- Constant gluten issues can result in miscarriage issues among pregnant women.
- The small intestine lining might get completely damaged, which will lead to pregnancy complications later.
- It can lead to chronic discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract if you continue with a gluten-based diet plan.
- Celiac diseases will make it really difficult to absorb nutrients from food, which will affect your baby’s final growth.
- It can result in premature delivery, giving rise to an anemic child with lower body weight.
- The baby will have a high risk of developing mental problems like schizophrenia.
[Read : Gastroenteritis During Pregnancy]
Gluten-Free Diet During Pregnancy
Make sure to opt for a gluten-free diet plan if you are pregnant and don’t want to ruin your unborn baby’s health. Follow the points listed below for the same:
- Opt for whole grains, which are free of gluten. Some examples are corn, rice, soy, sorghum, and more.
- Opt for some seeds and nuts like almonds, walnuts, and more, which won’t have gluten in them but will have the essential omega-3 acids. Even the fiber in nuts will help pregnant women suffering from constipation.
- Always go for the leafy veggies as they are a good source of vitamin A and iron. You can aim for various fruits too, which will offer your body the vitamins it needs while carrying a baby.
- Fish, meat, chicken, and eggs won’t have gluten in them, making them safe to consume. These items will offer elements and minerals like iron and zinc, which are beneficial for both the mom and the unborn child.
- Always consume dairy items with lower fat content. It reduces gluten intake but offers the much-needed protein and calcium needed for the baby’s ultimate growth.
Make sure to take complete care of your health when you are carrying a baby inside and also face troubles from the gluten-rich diet plan. Asking your doctor for the proper diet plan is really important if you want a healthy baby at the end of 9 months. Going for a gluten-free diet plan is really simple, and with few simple changes, you can get your best life back!
FAQ’s
1. How Does Gluten Intolerance Affect Pregnancy?
If you want to treat celiac disease, then a gluten-free diet is what you should be looking for. Any form of uncontrolled celiac disease can easily give rise to preterm labor, miscarriages, stillbirths, and lower birth weight.
2. Can Eating Gluten Hurt My Baby?
If you have celiac disease, it is better to avoid a gluten-rich diet plan completely. Eating gluten will give rise to stillbirths, preterm labor, and lower birth weight of your baby.
3. Can a Gluten Intolerance Cause Miscarriage?
Yes. Gluten intolerance can easily cause miscarriage among pregnant women. It will actually diminish the inner lining of the small intestine, resulting in miscarriages more often than ever.
Read Also : Lactose Intolerance In Pregnancy
