One often gets to hear of a gluten-free diet? And see products on the supermarket shelves without larning more what lies behind it. These products are primarily ment for people suffering from celiac disease which is a chronic disease causing inflammation of the proximal small intestine that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals when they eat gluten, which is the storage protein in wheat, barley, and rye.
Celiac disease is hereditary & runs in families & ignorance can lead to serious health problems. That is the development of other autoimmune disorders like Type I diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS), dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy skin rash), anemia, osteoporosis, infertility and miscarriage, neurological conditions like epilepsy and migraines, short stature, and intestinal cancers.
Following a gluten-free diet can help prevent symptoms of the disease.
Foods in a Gluten-free Diet
To follow a gluten-free diet means, you need to avoid all foods, drinks, and medicines made with gluten. This means not eating anything made with barley, rye, and wheat. All food items made with all-purpose, white, or wheat flour are prohibited.
Food Products that Can Include Gluten:
- Breaded foods
- Breads, bagels, croissants, buns
- Cakes, donuts, and pies
- Cereals (most)
- Crackers and many snacks bought at the store, such as potato chips and tortilla chips
- Gravy
- Pancakes and waffles
- Soups (most)
- Stuffing
Once gluten is removed from the diet, the inflammation in the small intestines begins to improve. Patients may begin to feel better within a few days or several weeks. Although, the villi in the small intestines can take several months or years to completely heal and regenerate.
In addition, discuss gluten-free food choices with a dietitian or health care professional who specializes in celiac disease.
What Should I Eat?
In most patients diagnosed with CD, a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) alone can result in complete symptomatic and histologic resolution of the disease and reduce risk of complications. Food that can be consumed are,
- Beans
- Cereals made without wheat or barley malt
- Corn
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish (not breaded or made with regular gravies)
- Milk-based items
- Gluten-free oats
- Potatoes
- Rice
With increasing use of gluten-free diet in order to shed weight it needs to be brought into notice that, a gluten-free diet isn’t always a healthy diet. For instance, a gluten-free diet may not provide enough of the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals the body needs, such as fiber, iron, and calcium. Also, some gluten-free products can be high in calories and sugar.
Ref:
https://celiac.org/celiac-
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
