Healthy Foods to Eat for Celiac Disease

It is important to know the nutrients and foods to eat for celiac disease because it will go a long way in managing this ailment.

The purposes and effects of these nutrients and foods portray the reason why they are recommended in cases of gluten or celiac disease.

The intake of the foods listed here should be on the increase.

What is Celiac Disease?

This ailment is also referred to as celiac sprue. It is as a result of gluten intolerance, a type of protein found in barley, wheat, rye and oats, to some extent.

The disease is somewhat of genetic origin. As it is, there are some other factors that precipitate the development of this disease such as introduction of grains into a diet of an infant or cow’s milk.

Before the list of foods to eat for celiac disease, it is important to know more about this disease.

The first sign or manifestations are seen during infancy; however, it may appear in the adult.

According to Dr. George Pamplona-Roger, in his book ‘Encyclopedia of foods and their healing power’, diagnosis is carried out by means of an intestinal biopsy.

Some of the Symptoms of Celiac Disease

The following are some of the symptoms:

1. Abdominal distension and discomfort and flatulence
2. Mouth sores
3. Fatigue, general discomfort and depression
4. Diarrhea

Immediately gluten is removed from the diet, all the above mentioned symptoms disappear. However, intolerance to gluten that never reached the stage of true celiac disease is quite common than is commonly believed.

List of Foods to Eat for Celiac Disease

They are:

1. Fruits
2. Buckwheat
3. Oats
4. Millet
5. Green Leafy Vegetables
6. Legumes
7. Corn
8. Rice
9. Sorghum
10. Vitamins and Supplements

Fruits

The essence of recommending fruits is because they provide vitamins that those suffering from celiac disease tend to lack.

Some of the recommended fruits include banana, apples, persimmon, loquat, carrot, pomegranate, tiger nut, papaya, chestnut, etc.

All of the above mentioned fruits are quite beneficial and are seen as foods to eat for celiac disease.

Buckwheat

Although, it has wheat in its name, it does not belong to the botanical family Gramineae, just like other grains. It has no gluten. Buckwheat is highly nutritious and even well tolerated by individuals with celiac disease.

Oats

Oats may have a slight amount of gluten; they contain mucilage which protects the intestine. Consumed in small amount, it is well tolerated by and beneficial for those with celiac disease.

Oats are also nutritious and even contain soluble fiber that protects the intestine thereby promoting its functions.

In cases of constipation, celiac disease and diarrhea it is highly recommended and best eaten as oatmeal.

Millet

The proteins in millet are somewhat more than wheat, meaning the grain is highly rich in proteins.

Again, the gluten content in millet is quite negligible and it is well tolerated by those suffering from this disease. This is the reason why it is listed among foods to eat for celiac disease.

Green Leafy Vegetables

It is important to add green leafy vegetables to the diet of those with celiac disease because they provide beta-carotene (provitamin A) which those with celiac disease tend to lack.

It is also recommended for their soluble fiber and mineral salts contents.

Legumes

All legumes are quite nutritious and contain no gluten. Therefore, every legume is also one of the foods to eat for celiac disease.

Corn

Corn has no gluten and well tolerated by celiac disease sufferers. It is recommended to be consumed in form of cornmeal. See more about corn here.

Rice

The best food that’s well tolerated by individuals with celiac disease is rice, the grain regardless of the method of preparation (parboiled, whole-grain, boiled etc)

Sorghum

This grain has almost the same features as those of corn and completely devoid of gluten.

Vitamins and Supplements

When cases of celiac disease arise, the inflamed intestinal mucosa does not absorb fat or fat-soluble vitamins properly. For this, vitamin supplements or foods quite rich in vitamin A (and provitamin), D, E, and K are recommended.

Other recommended Foods to Eat

According to celiac.org, you can eat the following foods if you have celiac disease

1. Flours are that gluten free, including corn, rice, soy and potato
2. Potatoes
3. Rice noodles
4. Meat and fish (not breaded or battered

It is important to reduce the intake of nutrients and foods such as gluten, flours, total fat, beer, sausages, and dairy products.

In essence, according to nhs.uk, if you are a celiac disease sufferer, it is recommended you stay away from the following foods:

1. Pies
2. Cereals
3. Crackers or Biscuits
4. Pasta
5. Bread
6. Cakes and pastries
7. Sauces and gravies

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