Celiac Disease

Relieve symptoms, heal bowel and ensure adequate nutrients; lifelong gluten free diet only treatment

Recommended For

Celiac disease, Food allergies, Gluten allergy, Gluten free.

Diet Goals

Avoid nutrient deficiencies, heal bowel

  • Gluten free foods less than 20 ppm gluten
  • Avoid nutrient deficiencies without grain
  • Lactose free diet if temporarily lactose intolerant
65% of American adults think gluten-free foods are healthier or help with weight loss but this diet is only indicated for gluten intolerance.

Food Recommendations

Foods to Eat

Fish 2 x week: Salmon, bass, cod, crab, scallops, shrimp
Fruits, Vegetables: Berries, avocado, leafy greens, carrots
Veggies, Leafy greens: Lettuce, kale, spinach, romaine, arugula
Dairy: Milk, most yogurts & cheeses are naturally gluten free
Gluten free oils: Canola, sunflower, olive, vegetable oil
Gluten free foods: Labeled gluten free, rice crackers, popcorn

Foods to Avoid

Baked goods: Cakes, cookies, muffins, pizza, pastries
Hidden wheat sources: Soy, BBQ, ketchup, gravy mix, salad dressing, marinades
Gluten products: Wheat, spelt, farro, graham, barley, rye, triticale
Whole grains: Wheat bread or pasta, oatmeal, popcorn
Gluten free meds: Check diarrhea, constipation, heartburn meds
Barley foods: Beer, brewers yeast, milkshakes, food coloring, soup

Diet Rules

Additional Information

Research

Gluten free diet can improve symptoms within 2 weeks; antibodies may return to normal levels within 6-12 months.
People with celiac disease who don't follow gluten free diet have 2 x greater risk of heart disease and 4 x greater risk of bowel cancer; healthy diets help reduce risks.
Once gluten is eliminated from diet, small intestine should heal completely in 3-6 mo.; even small amounts damage the bowel, reduces ability to absorb nutrients.

Caveats

Only treatment for celiac disease is lifelong gluten free diet.
Avoid wheat, rye, barley (caution cross contamination - oats can be contaminated with gluten; check label).
Check for gluten in vitamins, toothpaste, supplements, hair, skin, lip products.
Long-term complications of celiac: Bone loss, lactose intolerance, dental defects, anemia, osteoporosis, fertility problems, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, some cancers.

References

The Gluten-Free Diet: Cross-Contact. (n.d.). Beyond Celiac. https://www.beyondceliac.org/gluten-free-diet/cross-contact/
Cross-Contact. (n.d.). Beyond Celiac. https://www.beyondceliac.org/gluten-free-diet/cross-contact/
Bishop, S., & Murray MD, J. (2012). Left Untreated, Celiac Disease Can Result in Serious Complications. Mayo Clinic. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/left-untreated-celiac-disease-can-result-in-serious-complications/
Gluten-free diet & weight changes. (2019). Celiac Disease Foundation. https://celiac.org/about-the-foundation/featured-news/2019/11/gluten-free-diet-weight-changes/
Gluten-free foods. (2022). Celiac Disease Foundation. https://celiac.org/gluten-free-living/gluten-free-foods/
Chartrand, L., Russo, P., Duhaime, A., & Seidman, E. (n.d.). Wheat starch intolerance in patients with celiac disease. U.S. Department of Health. Retrieved June 27, 2023, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9183321/
Cooper MS RD, C. (n.d.). Reversing Nutrition Deficiencies in Celiac Disease Patients. Today’s Dietitian. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from tps://www.todaysdietitian.com/pdf/courses/CooperCeliac.pdf
Crowe, J., & Falini, N. (2001). Gluten in pharmaceutical products. NIH/Pub Med. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8349483/
Geller, M. (2016). 9 questions about celiac disease, answered, as featured in USA today. Celiac Disease Foundation. https://celiac.org/about-the-foundation/featured-news/2016/05/9-questions-about-celiac-disease-answered/
Harris MPH RD, C. (n.d.). Two of a Kind: Celiac Disease and Thyroid Disease. Todays Dietitian. Retrieved January 27, 2022, from https://www.todaysdietitian.com/pdf/courses/HarrisCeliacThyroid.pdf
Celiac Disease. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved January 21, 2022, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/celiac-disease
Kabbani, T., Goldberg, A., & Kelly, C. (2012). Body mass index and the risk of obesity in coeliac disease treated with the gluten-free diet. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2012.05001.x
Leonard, M., Cureton, P., & Fasano, A. (2017). Indications and Use of the Gluten Contamination Elimination Diet for Patients with Non-Responsive Celiac Disease. NIH, National Library of Medicine, Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5691745/
MedlinePlus. (2022). Celiac Disease Also called: Celiac sprue, Gluten-sensitive enteropathy, Nontropical sprue. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/celiacdisease.html
Ratner, A. (2020). Two new studies point to diet deficiencies in celiac disease. Beyond Celiac. https://www.beyondceliac.org/research-news/studies-point-to-diet-deficiencies/
Santa Cruz, J. (2019). The Gut Microbiome’s Link to Celiac Disease. Today’s Dietitian. https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0519p24.shtml
Overview of Celiac Disease. (2022). University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center. https://www.cureceliacdisease.org/wp-content/uploads/341_CDCFactSheets1_Overview.pdf
Overview of Celiac Disease. (n.d.). The University of Chicago Medicine Celiac Disease Center. https://www.cureceliacdisease.org/wp-content/uploads/341_CDCFactSheets1_Overview.pdf