Gluten refers to a group of storage proteins found in a variety of grains. If you have an autoimmune disorder known as celiac disease, your body identifies glutens from wheat, rye and barley as foreign bodies and launches an all-out attack when you eat foods that contain those grains. However, all fruits and vegetables are gluten-free in their natural state.
Effects
If you have celiac disease, your body's autoimmune response to forbidden forms of gluten damages the villi, or small, thin projections on the inside wall of your small intestines. This damage interferes with your body's ability to absorb glucose, vitamins and other essential nutrients from undigested food and can lead to malnutrition. Since fruits contain no gluten, you won't experience an autoimmune response and your villi should remain healthy.
Fresh Fruit
Because all fruits are naturally gluten-free, you can safely enjoy fresh fruit as part of your meals and snacks. Because fiber-rich foods made from all varieties of wheat, barley and rye are forbidden on a celiac disease diet, fresh fruit can help meet your daily fiber requirements. Incorporate a variety of high-fiber fresh fruits, including blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, plums, pears, apples, cherries and bananas into your everyday menus. The edible seeds and peels of many fruits are especially high in fiber, which promotes normal bowel function and heart health.
Safe Processed Fruits
People with celiac disease can safely enjoy most frozen, canned or dried fruits, according to the Celiac Sprue Association. Canned or frozen fruits have just as much fiber as their fresh fruit counterparts. Enjoy a handful of high-fiber dried fruits, such as prunes, dates or figs, for a quick fiber boost. Fruit juices are typically gluten-free, says the Celiac Sprue Association. To boost your fiber intake, select fruit nectars or fruit juices that contain pulp.
Forbidden Processed Fruits
Stay away from frozen or canned fruits that contain thickeners, additives or preservatives made with gluten. Watch out for processed fruit products containing rice malt, rice syrup, brown rice syrup, edible starch, barley extract, malt, malt beverages or malt extract. When in doubt, check directly with the manufacturer to verify that a product is completely gluten-free.
Warning
Use common sense when preparing fresh, frozen or canned fruit recipes. Many granola products, breakfast cereals and toppings contain gluten from barley, rye or oats and will trigger an autoimmune attack in people with celiac disease.
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