Things You Can Eat On A Gluten-free Diet

According to "The New York Times" website, celiac disease is a growing problem for millions of people. For those with celiac disease, gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, causes their immune system to attack the small intestine, resulting in abdominal pain, digestion issues and malnutrition. While there is no cure for celiac disease, you can manage the symptoms by following a gluten-free diet.

Rice

With most grains containing gluten, you are limited in the variety of starches you can consume. Conventional breads, pastas and any other wheat flour product are off limits. Rice is an important component of the gluten-free diet because it is rich in carbohydrates and offers much of the flexibility of wheat. Rice noodles offer similar taste and texture to wheat flour, while remaining safe for those with celiac disease. Brown rice provides complex, unprocessed carbs for sustained energy throughout the day.

Corn

Corn is another starch that plays an important role in the gluten-free diet. Breakfast can be an especially difficult meal to navigate due to the high presence of gluten in breakfast cereals. Most cereals are either wheat-based or are subject to cross-contamination with wheat-based cereals. Corn serves as the main ingredient in most gluten-free cereals, providing similar taste and texture to mainstream cereals with no harmful gluten.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are needed both for their nutrients and their fiber. Rice-based products are often low in fiber and can have a constipating effect. Fruits and vegetables will give you the fiber you need, improving regularity and colon health.

Meat

All meats, including beef, pork, poultry and seafood, are naturally gluten-free. Deep fried foods, however, are often breaded and should be avoided. Even if the meat is not breaded, it may have been fried in the same oil as breaded foods and cross-contaminated.

Alcohol

Alcohol consumption can be particularly limiting. Beer, which is brewed with barley, is off limits. Wines and some liquors, however, are acceptable. High-quality wine with no additives will not pose a problem, nor will tequila distilled from agave, vodka made from corn or potato, or sake. According to Celiac.com, even grain-based spirits are acceptable because the distillation process removes any gluten.