Weighing only 9 lbs after his parents kept him on a gluten and lactose-free diet, a baby boy in Belgium died of malnutrition. His parents, who are set to stand trial for the infant’s death, could face up to 18 months in prison.
The 6-month old baby’s parents, who ran a natural food store in Beveren, Belgium, had given him a diet that included quinoa milk. Some doctors have cautioned parents against this, as it is not suitable for young children, especially babies.
The Independent reports that authorities believe the parents made the wrong decision, making up their own diagnoses of their son, when they chose to consult a homoeopathic doctor instead of taking Lucas to a hospital for proper check-ups, even when he was starving.
In their defense, Lucas’ dad Peter maintained that they never noticed anything unusual about their baby, while Lucas’ mom Sandina confided that his weight would fluctuate.
The couple’s lawyer shared that Lucas had an eating disorder, which caused him to develop cramps when bottle fed, so his parents sought alternatives like “oat milk, rice milk, buckwheat milk, semolina milk, quinoa milk. All products which they also sell in their store.”
photo: pixabay
What is a gluten-free diet? What are its dangers?
A gluten-free diet, according to MayoClinic, is a diet that excludes gluten, which is a protein found in grains, like wheat, rye, and barley.
While a gluten-free diet is viewed worldwide as a “healthy alternative,” particularly for those with celiac disease, some experts have found that it may be doing healthy buffs more harm than good.
“Concern has arisen in the medical community and lay public that gluten may increase the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and cardiovascular risk among healthy people,” claims researchers in a publication on the British Medical Journal.
Giving baby this type of diet, they believe, puts them at risk for severe malnutrition.
“Without the complete protein and essential fatty acids found in both maternal milk and infant formula, babies are at an increased risk for malnutrition,” Nutritionist Jaclyn London tells Good Housekeeping. “That exposes them to a slew of health risks and complications — from immune deficits to improper brain development.”
It’s imperative that you consult a pediatrician, who is a specialist, if you are considering putting your child on a vegan diet. Be vigilant in getting the right type of care to ensure your precious little one grows up healthy and happy, nourishing them the best way you know how, with proper guidance from professionals.
READ: 11-month-old left severely malnourished after strict vegan diet
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