My wife and I are on a gluten-free diet. Is it ok for our baby to also eat gluten-free?

​Parents may follow a restricted-grain diet themselves for various reasons, but now some moms and dads are also restricting gluten in their baby's food.

The Problem:

Since whole grains are important for children, removing all gluten-containing products leaves a big hole in their diets.

What We Know:

• Recent research shows delaying introduction of gluten to infants does not decrease their chance of developing celiac disease later in life. So there is no reason to eliminate gluten in your baby's diet unless there is a documented glu​ten allergy or celiac dise​ase, and you have discussed the plan with your pediatrician.

• It may be a good idea to limit some "white" foods, such as unhealthy, highly processed gluten-containing bars and crackers, with no fiber and long ingredients lists—these tend to be less nutritious than their whole-grain counterparts. But without a medical reason, you don't need to eliminate gluten altogether. Instead, offer many different healthy, whole grains such as whole wheat, oats, barley, brown rice, and quinoa.

Additional Information from HealthyChildren.org:

• Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Diets

• Gluten-Free Food Labeling

• Common Food Allergies