by Barbara Lee Norris

Created on: April 04, 2007   Last Updated: January 23, 2009

A Celiac Disease diagnosis changes your perspective in many ways. First of all, it is a relief to have a name associated with what's been ailing you. It's amazing that seemingly unrelated symptoms, such as leg cramps and digestive disturbances, canker sores and depression, are all part of one syndrome. People diagnosed with Celiac disease often endure years of suffering before finding out the reason for so many painful symptoms.

Though the diagnosis provides relief, the treatment is overwhelming. You can't take a pill and get better. The only known treatment for Celiac disease is strict life-long adherence to a gluten-free diet.

Gluten is the sticky-storage protein found in wheat, barley, rye and some oats. Food producers use gluten in ways you'd never suspect. Who would imagine that buttermilk can contain food starch? I recently bought a quart. I discovered, after I arrived home, that food starch is an added ingredient. Spices, sauces, toothpaste, medicines, and so many other products can contain gluten. Food starch is everywhere, so those who have Celiac disease must learn to recognize it.

Even tiny amounts of gluten cause an autoimmune reaction and damage to the small intestine. There's no tapering down or cheating once in awhile. The offending grains must be eliminated. Many formerly favorite products are poison to a Celiacs system.

Following are tips for getting started on a Gluten-free diet. It's difficult at the onset, but after a few months of practice, avoiding gluten becomes easier.

~Choose Foods Carefully~

When in doubt, eat only fresh meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, fruit, rice, and dairy products with no added ingredients. When you go shopping, try to buy foods labeled gluten-free on the packaging. Such labeling makes it so much easier to shop. All of Wal-Mart's store brand products are labeled gluten-free, if they are. Remember that ingredients used to produce familiar foods often change. If you are not sure about a product, call the manufacturer.

Health food stores and the health food section in grocery stores carry some gluten-free products. 100's of new products are added every year. Many manufacturers specialize in gluten-free convenience products such as cookies, bread, cake mixes, pasta and cereals. I find these products useful, on occasion, but they frequently lack nutrition. They can cause considerable weight gain if used too often. I try to stick to whole foods as much as possible, though a treat once in awhile helps lessen feelings of deprivation.

~Learn

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