Celiac: a guide for gluten -free nutrition

Celiac: a guide for gluten -free nutrition
celiac disease: a guide for gluten -free nutrition
introduction
celiac disease is a chronic, autoimmune bowel disease that is triggered by a hypersensitivity to gluten. Gluten is a protein that occurs in grain such as wheat, rye and barley. In people with celiac disease, consumption of gluten -containing foods leads to damage to the small intestine mucosa that can affect the absorption of nutrients. In this guide we will treat everything you need to know about gluten -free nutrition in celiac disease.
symptoms and diagnosis
The symptoms of celiac disease can vary greatly from person to person. The most common include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, flatulence, tiredness and rashes. In children, celiac disease can also affect growth and development. It is important to emphasize that the symptoms do not have to occur immediately for all those affected.
The diagnosis of celiac disease requires a combination of clinical assessment, blood tests and a small intestine biopsy. The blood test can detect antibodies that are triggered by consuming gluten. The small intestine biopsy is carried out to check the typical changes in the intestinal mucosa that occur in celiac disease patients.
The gluten -free diet
The only effective treatment for people with celiac disease is a lifelong gluten -free diet. This means that any use of wheat, rye, barley and associated grain types must be avoided. However, not all foods are taboo. There are many alternatives and gluten -free variations of basic foods that can be consumed safely.
allowed foods
- natural foods such as vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, eggs, legumes and dairy products are usually gluten -free and can be consumed without hesitation.
- gluten -free grain such as rice, corn, quinoa, millet, buckwheat and amaranth can be used as a replacement for grain -containing grain.
- dishes based on potatoes, sweet potatoes or tapioka are also a good choice.
- Many processed foods such as gluten -free bread, pasta, flour, muesli and cookies are also available in stores today.
Gluten -containing foods
- wheat bread, noodle, flour and pasta must be avoided.
- rye and barley as well as their products also contain gluten.
- Caution is also required for processed foods that can often contain hidden gluten. This includes many ready meals, sauces, soups, sausages and even some sweets.
It is important to carefully read the ingredients on the food packaging in order to identify and avoid gluten -containing substances. In some cases it can be advisable to choose products with a gluten -free certificate to ensure that they do not contain any traces of gluten.
challenges and possible complications
The gluten -free nutrition can be a challenge, since gluten is present in many foods and is not always easy to see. It requires care to pay attention to gluten -free options when shopping, cooking and eating. Improper nutrition can lead to deficiency states, since some gluten -free products contain fewer nutrients than their gluten -containing counterparts. It is important to create a balanced menu and, if necessary, to take dietary supplements.
Another risk is that despite careful compliance with the gluten -free diet, traces of gluten from other foods, cooking utensils or even food can still be absorbed out of the house. This can lead to inflammatory reactions and further damage the intestinal mucosa. It therefore makes sense to inform restaurants and friends about celiac disease to avoid cross -contamination.
support and resources
For people with celiac disease, there are various organizations and online resources that offer help and advice. These organizations offer information about gluten -free food options, recipe ideas and support the exchange of experiences with other affected people. In addition, they often organize training courses and seminars to promote the understanding of celiac disease.
Some recommended organizations are:
-Deutsche Zöliakie-Gesellschaft e.V. (DZG)- Link to the website of the DZG -Celiac exchange- Link to the website of celiac exchange
FAZIT
Celiacia requires a strict gluten -free diet as the only effective treatment. By avoiding gluten -containing foods and switching to gluten -free alternatives, people with celiac disease can lead a healthy and fulfilling life. It is important to use information, support and resources to cope with the challenges of gluten -free lifestyle. With a little mindfulness and planning, it is possible to live well with celiac disease and get the disease under control.
sources:
[1] Zöliakie-Deutsche Zöliakie-Gesellschaft e.V., https://www.dzg-online.de
[2] Celiac exchanges- https://www.zoeliakie-busch.de