Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the way individuals digest their food. According to Medline Plus, celiac disease sufferers need to avoid foods that contain gluten to prevent triggering a response that causes the immune system to attack the small intestine and impair the body's processing of nutrients. While celiac disease can't be cured, many symptoms can be managed by avoiding foods that contain gluten.
Major Grains: Barley, Rye, Wheat, Oats
Individuals with celiac disease need to avoid foods made from the major grains, notes Medline Plus, as well as foods that have had these grain flours or grain starches added into them. This means most breads, cakes, cookies, doughnuts, rolls, chips and crackers are off-limits for celiac sufferers, though Medline Plus says some can tolerate oat products. The Canadian Celiac Association also encourages celiacs to read labels carefully, as many "friendly" alternative flours may be blended or cut with wheat or barley starch that could trigger a celiac reaction.
Packaged Rice Noodles
Many celiacs avoiding the major grains turn to alternative grains such as rice. However, Drugs.com notes that rice has its own starches and glutens. Packaged rice and noodle mixes, rice cakes and rice crackers should therefore be added to the list of celiac foods to avoid.
Flavored Milks, Puddings and Yogurts
According to the Canadian Celiac Association, many flavored dairy products contain gluten. This is most commonly in the form of an additive such as wheat starches or barley malts, which are used to thicken and stabilize them. Flavored milks, yogurts, puddings and sour creams may all thus contain gluten and be avoided. The ban on these foods for celiacs extends to the powdered mixes as well as liquid forms of the milks.
Salad Dressings and Marinades
A less obvious set of food additives that contain gluten are salad dressings and marinades. Medline Plus notes soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and meat marinades are not gluten-free. The Canadian Celiac Association reports some salad dressings contain gluten in the form of wheat flour and wheat starch, while Worcestershire sauce contains malt vinegar, which has gluten.
Alcoholic Beverages
Depending on the core ingredients of the drink, many alcoholic beverages count as celiac foods to avoid. Drugs.com notes beer is the most obvious beverage to avoid, but ale should also be skipped and malt liquor should also be avoided.
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