Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive condition that prevents the body from breaking down and tolerating the protein gluten, often found in grains such as wheat and barley. According to the Cleveland Clinic website, the most common symptom of celiac disease is digestive problems; other symptoms may include severe skin rash, anemia and muscle cramps. The primary way of treating this condition is to avoid all products containing gluten.
Foods to Avoid
Even a small amount of gluten is enough to induce a celiac episode. The only way to prevent this from happening is to avoid all foods that have gluten in them. According to MayoClinic.com, these foods include bread, cereal, pasta, cookies, cakes and sauces.
Overlooked Sources of Gluten
While all wheat products need to be avoided, determining what foods contain wheat is often confusing, surprising and a frustrating process. Many processed foods and products contain wheat, including bouillon cubes, potato chips, cold cuts, soups and soy sauce. MayoClinic.com also reports that gluten is used as a binding agent in many products, and may be found in vitamins, postage stamps, makeup and lipstick. The website Gicare.com suggests avoiding any foods whose labels list the words starch, flavoring, hydrolyzed or plant protein, as they most likely contain gluten.
Food to Include
While people with celiac disease have to examine everything in their diet, a number of foods do not contain gluten. According to the Children's Digestive and Nutrition Foundation, gluten-free foods include fresh fruits and vegetables; fresh meat, eggs, poultry and seafood; coffee and teas; and most salad dressings, herbs, spices and condiments. Additionally, the American Dietetic Association includes nuts, rice, seeds, potatoes, quinoa, dairy products, flour from rice and corn, and tapioca on their list of allowable foods.
