Diarrhea is one of the symptoms of celiac disease and gluten intolerance. If you have received either one of these diagnoses, eliminating gluten from your diet is the only treatment to help you recover your health and manage your symptoms. The main sources of gluten in the American diet include grain-based products made with wheat, barley and rye, such as bread, couscous, pasta, muffins, crackers and baked goods. If you are following a gluten-free diet but experience diarrhea, bloating or abdominal pain, it is likely that your diet is triggering these side effects.
100 Percent Gluten-Free
To completely relieve all of the symptoms you experience from eating gluten, your diet needs to be 100 percent gluten-free. A few bites of a slice of bread or cookies once a month is enough to perpetuate the damages in your intestines and cause side effects. If you want to treat yourself to bread or cookies, choose a certified gluten-free options to satisfy your cravings. Read food labels. Some foods hide trace amounts of gluten, including soy sauce, french fries, seasonings, salad dressings and marinades may contain gluten. Avoid oats and oatmeal that are not certified gluten-free.
Cross-Contamination
The diarrhea associated with eating gluten-free could be due to cross-contamination. Even if you are very careful, you could unknowingly be exposed to small amounts of gluten. Do not share the same peanut butter jar as another family member that uses regular bread, because it could contaminate your food with gluten. Wash cutting boards, utensils and skillets used to prepare and cook gluten-containing foods to avoid introducing gluten into your diet. Be careful when eating out and specify that your food must be prepared separately. Avoid fried foods, because the oil is often contaminated with the gluten found in battered foods.
Lactose Intolerance
People with celiac disease and gluten intolerance often experience lactose intolerance characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, flatulence and abdominal pain. Eliminate dairy or choose lactose-free products for a few days to see if you get relief. If you are lactose intolerant, consult a health care professional to ensure your gluten-free and lactose-free diet allows you to meet all of your nutritional requirements.
Higher Fat Intake
A higher fat intake could also be the cause of your diarrhea if you substitute gluten-containing foods with more fat, such as full-fat cheese, larger amounts of meat, butter, oils and nuts. Your digestive system may not used to digest large amounts of fat, especially if you were previously eating low-fat. Cut back on the fat to see if your diarrhea goes away. If it does, you need to gradually increase your fat intake by 10 to 20 g each week to allow your body time to produce more fat-digesting enzymes. If your diarrhea resumes, cut back on your fat again and increase more slowly.
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