GLUTEN-FREE DIET
FOR THOSE WITH CELIAC DISEASE
- Gluten causes inflammation in the small intestines
- Eating a gluten-free diet helps control the symptoms & prevent complications
- Must remain on the gluten-free diet for the remainder of their lives
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RISKS
NOT GETTING ENOUGH VITAMINS
- If you follow a gluten-free diet you may have low levels of certain vitamins & nutrients in your diet
- Grains are enriched with vitamins & your gluten-free diet has you avoiding the majority of them
Have your doctor order lab tests or
ask a dietitian to review your diet plan
to make sure you're getting enough
of these important nutrients
- Calcium
- Fiber
- Folate (B9)
- Iron
- Niacin (B3)
- Riboflavin (B2)
- Thiamin (B1)
NOT STICKING TO THE GLUTEN-FREE DIET
- If you accidentally eat a product that contains gluten you may experience abdominal pain and diarrhea
- Some people experience no signs or symptoms after eating gluten but this doesn't mean it's not damaging their small intestines
- Even trace amounts of gluten in your diet may be damaging whether or not they cause signs or symptoms
In severe cases when the diet alone can't stop the symptoms & complications, doctors might prescribe medications to suppress the immune system
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WATCH FOR CROSS CONTAMINATION
Cross-contamination occurs when gluten-free foods
come into contact with foods that contain gluten.
- If the same equipment is used to make a variety of products that have gluten
- Some food labels include a "may contain gluten" statement but be this type of statement is voluntary
- You still need to check the actual ingredient list
- If you're not sure whether a food contains gluten don't buy it
- Check with the manufacturer to find out what it contains
CROSS-CONTAMINATION AN ALSO OCCUR AT HOME
- Cutting boards, counters, pots, pans & utensils like spatulas & knives have to
be thoroughly cleaned after being used for foods with gluten in them - Toasters are difficult to clean so it's best to have a separate one that is labeled gluten-free
- Microwaved food sometimes 'explode' & hit the cover so they need to be
separately labeled or thoroughly cleaned after each usage
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Visit: Gluten Free Foods
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Return to the DIET DIRECTORY
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