Celiac (Coeliac) Disease and Wheat Allergies

Wheat

First, a few basics for eating healthy when you have Celiac Disease or gluten allergies. The less processed the food the safer you are. You probably already know that I feel this applies to eating in general. The closer the food is to its natural state, the better off you are, dietary restrictions or not. Fresher is just better, not only for your health, but for your taste buds. Your body will be happy, your senses satisfied and you'll be taking a huge step toward taking control of your situation. Read More About Celiac Disease Basics »

Planning is the key to eating healthy even if you don't have Celiac Disease, and it's more important with gluten sensitivity because you aren't able to run through the market tossing whatever strikes your fancy into the cart. We have easy to use lists of foods that you should avoid with Celiac Disease as well as ingredients and foods that are gluten-free.

Dr. Gourmet's gluten-free recipes allow you to eat a healthy diet that considers your needs. All of our recipes have been cross-checked for suitability with a gluten free diet, you can eat well, be wheat free, eat healthy and enjoy life. All safely, sanely and with confidence.

Gluten-Free Recipes

Which recipes on the Dr. Gourmet website are safe for you to eat, just as they are? Which will you need to make changes to or choose gluten-safe ingredients? Here's the comprehensive list of free recipes that are gluten free.

Gluten-free Foods & Gluten-free Ingredients

We've created two lists of the more common foods and ingredients for you to use when you're reading food labels or just deciding what to eat. While the lists don't cover everything, they're a handy reference:

Foods and Ingredients that are Gluten Free (safe)
Foods and Ingredients that Contain Gluten (not safe)

Gluten-Free Food Reviews

Sometimes you just can't make it into the kitchen to cook. We've reviewed these gluten-free frozen meals and foods - including breads and pastas - so that you'll know what's worth eating - and what's not. Gluten-Free Food Reviews

Information

1. Grocery Shopping for Gluten Free Foods: Getting Started
It is easier and easier today to shop for gluten free products. So many grocery stores carry myriad items for those with celiac disease. Breads, cereals, pizzas, convenience foods and pastas are only a few of the items that are now much more accessible.

2. Cross Contamination at the Grocery Store or Supermarket and Home
These days there are a wide variety of prepared meals available at the store. For those with celiac disease this can pose the vexing question of "should I or shouldn't I?" There's higher risk of cross contamination with gluten containing ingredients at the deli, meat or fish counter now just because of the plethora of dishes offered.

3. What to Do Right Now
You've just gotten your diagnosis of Celiac Disease (or want to begin eating gluten free) and there's always the question of "what now?" It's pretty simple really. The first step in having Celiac Disease is to take positive action and stock your kitchen with some things that you know are OK to eat right now.

4. Celiac Disease Basics: What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is also known as gluten sensitive enteropathy. Most people think of this as an allergy but it is actually an autoimmune condition in which the body mounts an immune response against the protein gluten. Glutens are primarily found in wheat, and most people relate this condition to eating wheat products, but the proteins are also found in barley, rye and spelt. Other cereal grains can be a problem as well.

5. Testing for Celiac Disease
It's clear that Celiac Disease can be very challenging to diagnose. Stomach pain, diarrhea and bloating, some of the more common symptoms of Celiac, can also mean anything from gallbladder disease to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). There is good research, for instance, that shows those diagnosed with IBS are four times as likely to actually have Celiac Disease. Given that this condition is under diagnosed it's important to know exactly what testing is effective.

 
 

Health and Nutrition Bites

Are those on a Gluten-Free Diet Eating Healthy?
It's natural for Celiac patients to focus on simply avoiding gluten-containing products in their diet. Researchers in the United Kingdom, however, looked beyond simply treating Celiac Disease with a gluten-free diet and wondered if the gluten-free diet was actually nutritionally sound.

Is it Really Gluten-Free?
The FDA is now considering a proposed rule regarding the labeling of foods as gluten-free, under the Food Allergen and Consumer Protection Act.

Is Any Amount of Gluten Safe for Those with Celiac Disease?
Celiac Disease is essentially an auto-immune disorder that is triggered by eating foods containing gluten, which is in wheat, rye and barley products.

Celiac Disease and Infertility in Women
Some research has suggested that Celiac Disease may contribute to reproductive problems in women, including infertility, miscarriages and problems with the baby's growth.

Are those with Celiac Disease more likely to have GERD?
Not long ago a group of researchers in Naples published a study that looked at whether a gluten-free diet would resolve the GERD-related symptoms in those with Celiac Disease.