People with celiac disease are intimately familiar with what they can and can't eat, but friends or relatives may not know what gluten-free treats they can offer their loved ones, especially since so many foods that appear to be gluten-free are not. Joanne Larsen, a registered dietitian with Dietitian.com, points out that foods with malt or hydrolyzed vegetable protein on their ingredient lists likely contain barley or wheat. If you're in doubt, check the safe gluten-free ingredient list that Celiac.com provides as a resource, and try sharing the following foods with your loved ones.
Rice Products
Plain rice, rice flour, rice noodles and rice cakes are all safe for people on gluten-free diets to eat. These foods are especially useful because they can replace many traditional offerings that contain gluten. Rice is a good side dish for meals, a staple in many Asian cuisines, and a fine substitute for pasta. Rice flour can be used in combination with other gluten-free ingredients to make bread, and rice noodles can be substituted for traditional wheat pasta noodles. Rice cakes are a good alternative to wheat crackers and can be spread with nut butters, jam or a variety of other toppings.
Grains and Flours
Many grains and flours are okay for people on gluten-free diets. Corn, beans, buckwheat, millet, seeds, quinoa, soy and a variety of other foods are listed on the Celiac Sprue Association's website as safe foods. Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology states that for most patients, oats are also okay to eat, but they caution that many oats and oat products are also processed in facilities that handle wheat, rye, or barley, so some may still carry a risk.
Potatoes
Foods that use potato flour instead of wheat flour are generally safe for people with celiac disease to eat. If in doubt, check product lists and ingredients on GlutenFreeInfo.com, which compiles collections of certified gluten-free products. Whole baked potatoes are nutritious meal options or side dishes and can be decorated with traditional gluten-free toppings such as sour cream, cheese, green onions or chives.
Dairy Products, Fruits, and Vegetables
Milk-based products and whole cooked and raw fruits and vegetables are important parts of a balanced diet for a celiac patient. Simple carbohydrates found in many wheat-based products are available in fresh and dried fruits, vegetables provide important vitamins and minerals, and dairy products add protein to the diet.
Foods from Specialists
With the rising number of people on gluten-free diets around the world, retailers are starting to stock and label more gluten-free foods. Businesses such as GlutenFree.com manufacture and distribute gluten-free products including crusts, cookie mixes, pastas and even ready-to-eat meals. Other companies, restaurants, and bakeries also specialize in gluten-free products, so survey a list of them to find additional choices.
