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Celiac disease is a genetic disorder in which the patients become intolerant to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in certain cereals and if the patient suffering from this disease consumes foods that contain gluten, they develop diarrhea, malnutrition and weight loss. This is because, when they consume gluten containing food, the immune system of their body starts attacking their small intestine and damages villi.
Villi are tiny finger like projections seen in intestine that help the body to absorb the nutrients from the food. The damage to villi results in inability of the body to absorb nutrients from the food. This leads to malnutrition and is a serious health problem especially among kids who invariably need nutrients for their growth and development.
There are no medications that will ensure complete recovery from this disease and the best possible treatment for celiac disease is a gluten free diet. Patients following gluten free diet will notice considerable improvement in the first or second week of the diet program and complete healing of small intestine will happen by six months.
Wheat, barley and rye are the major culprits that aggravate the symptoms of celiac diseases. In addition to these grains, many of packaged and processed foods also contain gluten, hence, while purchasing any food, check the ingredients thoroughly.
Oats is usually considered as a gluten free food, but at times it may get contaminated with gluten during processing. Hence, better avoid all foods that contain wheat, barley or rye. Patients with celiac disease can enjoy many other foods such as rice, soy, potato, quinoa, amaranth, bean flour and buckwheat instead of the gluten containing grains. Also gluten free pasta, bread and other food products are available in the market.
Patients can take bread made from rice, beans, potato, corn, soy, sorghum or teff. Alternatively English muffins, gluten free wafers, gluten free pizza crust, corn tortillas etc. are also ideal. Biscuits, breads, pancakes or waffles made at home will also be a good choice.
Cereals made from rice, corn, quinoa and pure buckwheat can be cooked and consumed easily without any problem. Half to one cup of gluten free rice flakes, corn flakes, dry cereals, amaranth flakes or puffed rice can also be consumed.
Among snacks also, celiac disease patients have good choices such as crisp bread or crackers made out of corn or rice, pop corns, rice cakes, pretzels made out of gluten free flours etc. One ounce of these foods is enough for snacking.
In addition to the above mentioned foods, celiac disease patients can also include white rice, brown rice, pasta made out of amaranth, corn or rice, kasha made out of buckwheat, flax, millets, eggs, milk products, frozen, fresh or unprocessed meat etc. in their diet.
Fruits and vegetables can also be included in the diet. But, if the vegetables and fruits are dried, frozen or canned, ensure that they should not contain any additives or thickeners that contain gluten.
While following a celiac disease diet, the dieter may not get many nutrients like iron, folate, niacin, thiamin, calcium, riboflavin etc. Hence, it is better to take any nutrient supplements along with celiac disease diet.
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