Gluten is a protein that is found in many types of grain. If you have celiac disease, you should not eat foods containing this protein. Your immune system will damage your small intestine if you do, making it so you cannot properly absorb nutrients from the foods you consume, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, or NDDIC.
Features
A gluten-free diet focuses on foods that don't contain gluten. Grains are restricted to amaranth, corn, cornmeal, rice, quinoa, buckwheat, arrowroot, polenta, tapioca, hominy grits and flours that are free of gluten, including potato, rice, corn, soy and bean flours. Vegetables, fruits, most dairy products and fresh fish, meat and poultry are also fine to eat, according to MayoClinic.com.
Function
Following a gluten-free diet for the rest of your life can help you reduce your celiac disease symptoms, in most cases eliminating them altogether, and actually repair the damage that has already occurred to your intestines, according to the NDICC. A small number of people with refractory celiac disease, however, will not experience improvement with this diet and will need to have essential nutrients injected directly into their bloodstream.
Foods to Avoid
You should avoid products made with grains containing gluten, such as wheat, rye, triticale, semolina, spelt, graham flour, durham, farina, bulgur, barley, kamut and matzo meal. Many processed foods contain gluten, including some that you wouldn't expect, such as salad dressings, sauces, candies, soups and imitation meats. Even lipstick, toothpaste and some medications may contain gluten, according to MayoClinic.com. Look for products labeled "gluten free."
Considerations
If you want to eat out, choose a restaurant that features a cuisine based on rice or corn since there will be more gluten-free options available.
When on a gluten-free diet you need to make sure you get sufficient amounts of calcium, fiber, folate, iron, niacin, riboflavin and thiamine since you won't be able to eat many of the enriched foods that are a typical source of these nutrients.
Tips
Sticking to your gluten-free diet will be easier if you focus on what you are allowed to eat, rather than what you can't eat, according to an 2010 article by Cornell McClellan in the "Chicago Sun-Times." Many of your favorite foods can be modified to be gluten free. Check out a gluten-free cookbook to get some ideas on how to modify recipes to make them gluten free.
Many celiac disease support groups provide restaurant cards that state which foods are safe for you and which are not. These can make it easier to order in restaurants.
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