Living with Celiac Disease
What is celiac disease?
Going Gluten-Free when you have no choice…
This autoimmune disease occurs when an individual eats gluten (which is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) and their body then produces an immune response that attacks the small intestine, causing inflammation. This inflammation can lead you to feel very sick. If the inflammation goes untreated, celiac disease can become detrimental and have other negative and harmful effects on your body.
Causes
Celiac Disease is known to be hereditary, meaning it runs within the family. Although, celiac disease can be developed at any age after consuming gluten. In some instances, the risk of celiac disease can be increased through surgery, pregnancy, high stress, or infection.
Signs / Symptoms
Early and urgent signs of celiac in adults and children may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and gas, depression and anxiety, fatigue, headaches, joint pain as well as many more.
Testing for Celiac Disease
Celiac disease can be diagnosed through a blood test which could show higher than normal levels of certain antibodies in the blood. You must be consuming gluten for the blood test to actually pick up these antibodies.
Living with Celiac Disease
The everyday life of people with celiac disease is a constant worry. A worry about what you will possibly eat, or what you may accidentally consume, or even the fear of cross-contamination. Celiac disease can be challenging to navigate, but luckily, there are many resources and much more research about it available. Living with celiac disease demands that you educate yourself on the foods that contain gluten as well as foods that contain secret or hidden gluten ingredients.
Gluten-free options, Substitutions, and cooking tips
Fortunately, there are many great alternatives now a days that are friendly for those looking for gluten free options!
Gluten Free Options:
- Fresh meat and fish
- Fruits and vegetables
- Rice
- Corn
- Soy – look for the Certified Gluten Free label, not all Soy products are gluten free!
- Potato based products
- Flours made from rice, corn, soy, and potato
Cooking Tips:
- Avoid contamination by thoroughly cleaning surfaces, utensils, pots and pans
- Keep gluten-containing foods away from meal prep areas and gluten free ingredients
- Avoid wheat, rye, barley, oats, and triticale
- Watch for hidden gluten sources such as: malt, modified wheat starch, HVP and HPP
Fan Favourite Gluten-free products (all found locally or on Amazon):
- Kodiak Cakes: Frontier Oat Gluten-Free Flapjack & Waffle Mix
- Back to Nature: Multi-Seed Rice Thin Crackers
- KIND: Thins
- Jovial: 100% organic brown rice GF pasta
- Harvest Snaps
- Cali’flour foods: plain cauliflower pizza crust
To learn more on Celiac Disease please click here.
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