Celiac Disease: Foods that Are Safe and Foods to Avoid

Celiac disease is a digestive disorder and autoimmune disease that does not allow people to properly digest foods that contain the protein gluten. Even trace amounts of this protein can cause irreparable damage to the small intestine. Some symptoms include chronic gas or diarrhea, joint pain, weakness and fatigue, and even infertility. Once someone has been diagnosed with this disease they must begin properly taking care of themselves with a gluten free diet. This is a guide to the foods one must avoid that contain gluten and those that are safe, the cornerstone of a gluten free diet.

If you have Celiac disease or a gluten allergy, it is of the utmost important to read the packing your food comes in very carefully. Gluten is found in triticale, rye, barley, as well as all forms of wheat. Though some of those might not sound very familiar, the foods they are in will: bread, biscuits, pasta, cookies, pretzels, scones, pizza, pancakes, rolls, cereal, and even beer. Obviously, this includes most grains and can create huge changes in a person's diet. However, many companies have started to make their once gluten-full products gluten-free, so don't assume that just because something you've picked up is one of these items that it will be bad for you. Several of these companies now proudly display on their labels that they contain no gluten, but always remember to double check by reading the label.

Once you have been diagnosed with Celiac disease and have learned which foods to avoid, it is time to learn the foods you can have -those that make for a great gluten free diet. Though the list of foods that persons with Celiac disease can't have may look a mile long and intimidating, it's nothing in the way of the foods they can have. Celiac.com has a great, extensive list of gluten free foods. They include most cheeses, yeast, cocoa, beef, chicken, pork, fruits, fish, vegetables, salt, eggs, and honey. In addition, there are numerous cookbooks available dedicated to gluten-free cooking.

What could be thought of as a huge lifestyle change can actually be quite minimal if one just takes the time to learn which foods are off limits, which are safe, and then develop the habit of reading food packaging in search of unsafe ingredients. Though the effects of Celiac disease can be catastrophic when not treated, they are eliminated simply by the proper diet.

Source: Celiac.com: http://www.celiac.com

Celiac.Org: http://www.celiac.org

The Gluten Free Chef: http://www.the-gluten-free-chef.com/foods-containing-gluten.html