A gluten-free diet is most commonly recommended for people with celiac disease, a condition in which your body cannot digest gluten properly. If you have celiac disease, you'll likely experience gas, bloating and other digestive side effects when you eat foods containing gluten. Because a gluten-free diet can be rather restrictive, you should work with your doctor and a registered dietitian to design your meal plans.
Foods to Avoid
On a gluten-free diet, you would avoid consuming rye, wheat and barley, which all contain the protein gluten, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Cereals, pastas and breads also contain gluten. Don't eat any foods containing bulgur, spelt, semolina or triticale, MayoClinic.com advises. Unless they're labeled "gluten-free," you should also avoid beer, soups, sauces, processed meats, oats, salad dressings, candies, crackers and baked goods. Frozen yogurts, soy sauce, couscous, farina, faro, Matzo flour or meal, panko, orzo and malted milk, as well as breaded vegetables, meats and fish can all contain gluten.
Substitutes
Replace gluten-containing foods with starches derived from corn, rice, potatoes and buckwheat, recommends the University of Michigan Health System. You can also eat soybean products, eggs, fruits, vegetables, fish and meats on a gluten-free diet. Other gluten-free replacements for grains and starches include amaranth, arrowroot, bean flours, flax, kasha, cassava, hominy, millet, quinoa, sorghum, soy flour, potatoes and yucca, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Function
The true cause of celiac disease is unknown, but it may be hereditary in some cases or triggered by an infection, notes the University of Michigan Health System. If you have celiac disease, following a gluten-free diet can improve your absorption of nutrients and stabilize your weight. This diet can prevent and reverse intestinal damage due to celiac disease, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. A gluten-free diet also eliminates or significantly reduces symptoms such as gas, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
Considerations
Keep in mind that even wheat-free foods can still contain gluten, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Also, be sure to check the ingredients and labels on all processed food products to ensure that they don't contain gluten. Many processed dairy products, fruits, meats, beans, sweets, condiments and baking ingredients can have gluten in them, cautions the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Also, processed foods can easily become contaminated with gluten, MayoClinic.com points out.
Warning
Certain non-food products that you may ingest can also contain gluten. Products such as lipsticks and lip balms, toothpastes and play dough can contain gluten, MayoClinic.com says. Adhesives on postage stamps, as well as many vitamins, supplements and medications have gluten in them as well. A gluten-free diet can be especially difficult to follow when you're dining out, so you should inquire about the meal ingredients and potential gluten contamination during preparation, advises the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Don't start a gluten-free diet before first consulting a knowledgeable healthcare professional or dietitian.
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