Your doctor may run tests such as blood tests, endoscopy, capsule endoscopy to assess whether or not you have celiac disease or even gluten intolerance. [4] X Research source Your doctor may also test for other conditions related to celiac disease or gluten intolerance including: anxiety, depression, migraines, thyroid disease, intestinal cancer, osteoporosis, dermatitis herpetiformis, diabetes, neuropathy, arthritis. [5] X Research source
Your doctor will tell you if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance. In either case, avoiding gluten is the best treatment. [6] X Trustworthy Source Cedars Sinai Hospital Website of one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Your doctor may prescribe other medications or vitamin supplements to help relieve other symptoms of celiac disease and gluten intolerance. [7] X Trustworthy Source Cedars Sinai Hospital Website of one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
A gluten free diet is the key to controlling gluten intolerance. [9] X Trustworthy Source Cedars Sinai Hospital Website of one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source You may require supplements of calcium, folate, iron, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, vitamin K, and zinc. [10] X Research source Your doctor may prescribe steroids to control inflammation in your intestines. [11] X Research source If you have dermatitis herpetiformis, which is an itchy and blistering skin rash, your doctor may prescribe dapsone to relieve the rash. [12] X Research source
Health professionals who specialize in gluten intolerance can provide you with extensive information on gluten-free foods, sources of hidden gluten and finding alternatives when eating away from home. Use an online database to locate a dietitian in your area. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, for example, has a wide variety of resources you can use to locate local professionals, educate yourself or even join a support group of other people who suffer from gluten intolerance. [13] X Research source
Barley, including malt and malt vinegar Rye Triticale, which is a cross between wheat and rye Wheat and wheat flours such as semolina, farina, durum, graham, kamut, and spelt. [15] X Research source
Beer Breads Cakes and pies Cereals Communion wafers Croutons Fried foods Gravies, sauces, and salad dressings and foods in them Imitation meats and seafood Pastas Processed lunch meats Soy sauce Seasoned foods and snacks Soups[17] X Research source If you are not sure, do not keep the foods. The Celiac Disease Foundation offers a large list of foods containing gluten at https://celiac. org/live-gluten-free/glutenfreediet/sources-of-gluten/.
If you live in a home with others who still eat gluten, consider keeping your food separate to be entirely sure that you don’t cross contaminate what you will eat. You can eat the following naturally gluten-free foods without much concern: beans, seeds, nuts, fresh eggs, fresh meats, fish, poultry, fruits, vegetables, most dairy products. [19] X Research source Most grocery stores and other large retailers now offer a wide variety of gluten-free foods that you may have otherwise had to cut out. Ask if there is an aisle of designated “gluten-free” products with which you can stock your kitchen.
Some naturally gluten-free grains that you can include in your diet are: amaranth, arrowroot, buckwheat, corn and cornmeal, flax, gluten-free flours, millet, quinoa, rice, soy, tapioca, and teff. [21] X Research source Common code words for gluten include: hydrolyzed vegetable protein, vegetable protein, glutamate, malt, malt flavoring, modified food starch, flour, cereal, soy sauce and vegetable gum. Avoid any processed food or product that does not specify that it is gluten-free, including spices. It’s especially important to check when eating at a restaurant, eating at a friend’s house who does not share your dietary habits, or when trying new prepared foods.
Make a plan for each meal during the week. Pay special attention for any meals that you don’t eat at home, such as lunch or dinner. In these cases, pack a meal if possible. If not, you may want to scope out restaurants for gluten-free choices. [23] X Research source For example, you could start off your week with a cheese and vegetable omelet with a side gluten-free toast with butter and fruit. For lunch you could have a salad with salmon and a dressing of olive oil and vinegar. At dinnertime, you could have a steak with broccoli and a loaded baked potato.
Many restaurants now have gluten-free sections on their menus. If this isn’t the case, you could ask a manager or the chef about potential gluten in the food. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness has a list of certified gluten-free kitchens at: http://www. celiaccentral. org/dining/. Some foods to avoid in restaurants include: croutons, wontons, fried onions and crispy noodles on salads; soups with flour or barley; food marinated in soy or teriyaki sauce; food dusted in flour before sautéing; oil used to fry different types of breaded foods; mashed potato mixes; the breadbasket. Some good choices in restaurants include steamed vegetables, roasted meats, and plain ice creams (no toppings) for dessert. Always be prepared if a restaurant doesn’t have your first choice.
In restaurants, ask if the same surfaces are used to prepare glutinous and gluten-free foods. If you are especially sensitive to gluten, you may want to avoid the restaurant altogether. [26] X Research source In your own home, cross-contamination is also possible. Try and use different cutting boards and other preparation surfaces to help prevent cross-contamination. [27] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source You may also want to avoid using the same appliances, such as toasters, toaster ovens, or pans. [28] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
