Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) Practice Exam

Children with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease should be advised to avoid which of the following?

1. Avoid foods containing wheat, barley, and rye

2. Reduce high sodium foods

3. Limit foods with barley, white wheat, and rice

4. Avoid foods with rice, corn, and wheat

The correct answer is: Avoid foods containing wheat, barley, and rye

Children with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease need to avoid foods containing wheat, barley, and rye because these grains contain gluten, which can trigger adverse autoimmune reactions in individuals with celiac disease. Celiac disease is a serious condition characterized by an intolerance to gluten, leading to damage in the small intestine when gluten is consumed. This can result in various symptoms and complications, including malabsorption of nutrients, which can significantly impact a child's growth and overall health. Therefore, a strict gluten-free diet is essential for managing celiac disease, making avoidance of wheat, barley, and rye fundamental. The other options do not address the specific dietary needs related to celiac disease. Reducing high sodium foods may be relevant for general health concerns but does not specifically relate to gluten avoidance. Limiting foods with barley, white wheat, and rice does not sufficiently encompass the need to eliminate all gluten-containing grains. Finally, while avoiding foods with rice, corn, and wheat sounds safe, it's misleading, as rice and corn are typically gluten-free and do not pose a risk for celiac disease. Hence, the appropriate guidance for these children revolves around a strict avoidance of gluten-containing foods, specifically those derived from wheat, barley, and rye.