Celiac disease is a digestive disease characterized by an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. In celiacs, gluten damages the small finger-like projections of the small intestine, called villi. The damaged small intestine is unable to properly absorb nutrients in foods. Due to the damage to the small intestine that is caused by gluten, celiacs need to avoid certain foods to stay healthy.
Grains
Grain is the major food group bad for celiacs. In general, grains contain large amounts of gluten. This includes all types of wheat such as einkorn, emmer, spelt, kamut, wheat starch, wheat bran, wheat germ, cracked wheat and hydrolyzed wheat protein. In addition, all wheat products such as bromated flour, durum flour, enriched flour, farina, graham flour, phosphated flour, self-rising flour, semolina and white flour are harmful to celiacs. Grains such as barley and rye need to be avoided as well. Since the gluten contained in flour is harmful to celiacs, many gluten-free flour products exist, such as cornstarch, bean flour, and brown rice flour, notes Celiac.com.
Pasta
Traditional pasta and noodles derived from grains contain gluten and are harmful to celiacs. This includes spaghetti, lasagna, gnocchi and soba noodles. As an alternative, wheat-free pastas that don't contain gluten. Naturally gluten-free pastas include rice noodles, rice or bean vermicelli, potato pasta and 100 percent buckwheat noodles, notes Better Health Channel.
Processed Foods
Many processed foods are unsafe for celiacs because the ingredients include gluten-containing grains and preservatives. Processed products to be careful of include bouillon cubes, brown rice syrup, candy, chips, cold cuts, french fries, rice mixes, prepared sauces, matzo, soy sauce and prepared soups, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Not all processed foods contain gluten, but it is important to scrutinize labels for wheat, barley or rye products and derivatives. Many snack foods that are gluten-free have a gluten-free label.
