Application of a Platform for Gluten-Free Diet Evaluation and Dietary Advice: From Theory to Practice

Abstract

The present work aimed to analyze, through the GlutenFreeDiet digital platform, the evolution over one year of the nutritional status, dietary profile and symptoms present among celiac people on a gluten-free diet (GFD) while receiving individualized dietary advice. Twenty-seven adults and thirty-one celiac children/adolescents participated in the study. This was then followed up by three visits, at diagnosis, and after 3 and 12 months (vt0, vt3 and vt12). Participants filled out dietary and gastrointestinal symptoms questionnaires. All patients received written personalized dietary advice from dietitians who interpreted data from the platform. Results obtained indicated that participants consumed proteins and lipids in excess and carbohydrates in defect. Low intakes of cereals, fruit and vegetables and high meat intakes were observed. However, gluten-free product (GFP) consumption and that of ultra-processed foods was reduced after 1 year in adults. Symptoms decreased after vt3 but recurred in vt12. Changes in ultra-processed foods and GFP intake, but lack of changes in the rest of the parameters suggested that the platform support was not effective enough. Even though the platform represents a useful tool for monitoring celiac patients and giving dietary advice, modules that require more continuous attention and nutritional education of patients should be provided for interventions to be more effective.

Keywords: celiac disease; digital platform; digitalized dietary assessment; gluten-free diet; nutritional education.

Figure 1

Patients included in the study. Vt0: visit at time 0, at diagnosis; vt3: visit after 3 months on a gluten-free diet; vt12: visit after 12 months on a gluten-free diet.

Figure 2

Percentage of adult (a) and children and adolescent (b) participants presenting 0, 1–5 or more than 6 symptoms. Vt0: visit at time 0, at diagnosis; vt3: visit after 3 months on a gluten-free diet; vt12: visit after 12 months on a gluten-free diet.