What is a Gluten Free Diet
A gluten-free eating plan involves the elimination of all foods that contain wheat (including spelt, triticale, and kamut), rye, barley, and possibly oats – in other words, most grain, pasta, cereal, and many processed foods.
Even so, celiacs can eat a well-balanced diet with a variety of foods, including bread and pasta. For example, instead of wheat flour, celiac patients can use potato, rice, soy, or bean flour, and they can buy a wide range of non-gluten bread, pasta, and other products from specialist food companies.
Check Food Labels For Hidden Gluten
It is important for all celiac patients to read food labels and food ingredient lists, to make sure that the food does not contain hidden gluten. Also, note that hidden sources of gluten include additives, preservatives, and stabilizers found in processed food, medicines, and mouthwash. If ingredients are not listed on the product-label, check with the manufacturer.
Support For Celiacs
A dietitian, a health care professional who specializes in food and nutrition, can help people learn about their new diet. For example, it’s worth asking your dietitian whether oats are safe to include in your food-plan. Also, celiac support groups are particularly helpful for newly diagnosed patients and their families as they learn to adjust to a new gluten-free way of life.
Gluten Free Diet For Life
For celiac patients, eating a gluten-free diet is mandatory for life. Eating any gluten, no matter how small the amount, can damage the intestine and trigger symptoms. This is true for anyone with the disease, including people who experience only mild side-effects.
