Celiac disease: Eating a gluten-free diet
How to eat when you have celiac disease
Do not eat any foods that contain gluten. These include bagels, bread, crackers, malted breakfast cereals, pasta, and pizza.
Avoid all beer products, both with and without alcohol, including lagers, ales, and stouts.
Carefully read food labels. Look for wheat or wheat products added to foods such as ice cream, salad dressing, candy, canned and frozen soups and vegetables, and other processed foods.
When you eat out, look for restaurants that serve gluten-free food. You might ask if the chef is familiar with cooking without any gluten. Also look for grocery stores that sell gluten-free pizza and other foods.
On a gluten-free eating plan, you can still have:
- Eggs and milk products such as cheese. Some cheese and cheese spreads may contain gluten, so check the labels for additives. You may need to avoid milk and milk products at the beginning of treatment.
- Flours and starches made from rice, corn, buckwheat, potatoes, soybeans, or tapioca.
- Fresh, frozen, or canned unprocessed meats. Examples of processed meats are hot dogs, salami, and deli meat. Read labels for additives that may contain gluten.
- Fresh, frozen, dried, or canned fruits and vegetables, if they do not have thickeners or other additives that contain gluten.
- Certain alcohol drinks, including wine, liquor (including whiskey and brandy), liqueurs, and ciders.
Eating a gluten-free diet is not easy. But if you take your time to read labels and ask questions, you can stay on a gluten-free eating plan.
Test Your Knowledge
On a gluten-free eating plan, you can still drink beer.
You may need to avoid milk and milk products at the beginning of treatment for celiac disease.
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| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: July 6, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Jerry S. Trier, MD - Gastroenterology | |
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