Foods for Coeliac

Colieac is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have this cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, oats, rye and barley and other related types of foods. The disease causes a malabsorption which means that nutrients are not absorbed properly.

The symptoms  can vary from one person to another. It may occur in the digestive system or in other parts of the body. Infants and young children who experience chronic diarrhea, weight loss, paleness, foul smelling fatty stool and vomiting just to name a few are some of its signs and symptoms. For adults, they may experience fatigue, unexplained iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, depression, seizures and among others. However, people may may have asymptomatic symptoms or do not show any symptoms  but still develop complications for over time.

Allowable Foods to Eat

Colieac disease is a serious health issue which may cause severe complications and eventually cause death. To prevent it from occurring, here is a list of advisable foods, fruits and beverages for  patients with Colieac disease.

• Dairy Products: Full-cream and low fat milks; Fresh, UHT, evaporated, powdered and condensed milk; buttermilk; cream;  cream and cottage cheese, yogurt and Ice cream (check ingredients)

• Meat, Fish and Poultry & Derivatives: meat-fresh, smoked or corned; canned meat or fish; ham , bacon, corned beef; gluten free sausages; Eggs; all types of fish and fresh seafood;  vegetable oil or brine.

• Cereals & Derivatives: Rice(brown, white, wild), maize, millet and sorghum; rice flour and potato; cereal bran, rice and corn breakfast cereals; sago, tapioca, buckwheat.

• Vegetables, legumes, nuts & seeds: fresh, frozen, dried or canned vegetables, dried beans such as soya, kidney, nuts and seeds; tofu and potatoes.

• Fruits: all  fresh, dried or, roasted foods.

• Drinks: water; infusions; natural fruit and vegetable juices; coffee and tea; soft drink; wine, sherry, whiskey, bourbon and vodka.

• Fats: butter, margarine and oils.

• Breads, Biscuits, Cakes and Pastry: products labeled as “gluten free”, rice crackers, rice cakes, corn cakes, corn and rice crisp breads; taco shells, corn tortillas; gluten free bread, pastries, pancakes.

• Condiments and Other Flavorings: vinegar-balsamic, cider, red wine, white wine; soya sauce; tabasco sauce; curry paste and powder; tomato paste; fresh and dried herbs and spices; jam, honey and other nut butters; cocoa; plain, maple, golden syrup; plain and flavored gelatin; mayonnaise and salad dressings.

• Here are some processed foods that must be avoided since it may contain wheat, barley or rye:

• bouillon cubes
• brown rice syrup
• candy
• cold cuts
• hotdog
• salami  sausage
• french fries
• gravy
• rice mixes
• sauces and soups

• Avoid also some beverages including , coffee substitutes such as ecco, , flavored milks, chocolate drinks, barley-based cordial and beer.

Generally, the treatment of this disease will require controlled and monitored diet. Any intake shouldn’t contain gluten (such as seen in processed foods) to help the patient prevent from manifesting  Colieac signs and symptoms. I know this is not an easy task for you to do, but if you’re really determined to be healthy again, then you must exert more effort to follow specific diet for your condition.