What Foods Can a Person with Celiac Disease Eat?

It is important to focus on what you can eat, rather than what you cannot eat. You can eat:

• Protein foods: Chicken, Cornish hen, duck, turkey, fish, shellfish, red meat, and eggs
• Vegetables: All vegetables
• Fruit: All fruit
• Starches: Rice, wild rice, buckwheat, potatoes, corn, peas, beans, lentils, and legumes, to name a few
• Dairy products: Milk, yogurt, and hard and soft cheeses

Understanding Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an incurable autoimmune disease. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye — the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged, impairing the absorption of essential nutrients.

More specifically, the body views gluten as a threat and attacks the lining of the small intestine, damaging the villi. These finger-like projections become flattened, causing the absorptive surface area to shrink and decreasing the absorption of both macronutrients and micronutrients.

What Can Happen if You Have Celiac Disease and Eat Gluten?

Short-Term Effects

• Stomach pain: Cramps, bloating, and gas
• Digestive issues: Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• General discomfort: Extreme tiredness, headaches, and brain fog

Long-Term Complications

• Inability to properly absorb vitamins and minerals
• Bone loss
• Unintended and excessive weight loss or delayed growth
• Risk of infertility or miscarriage
• Nerve damage in the hands and feet or seizures
• Higher risk of small bowel cancer or intestinal lymphoma

Is Celiac Disease the Same as Gluten Sensitivity?

No, they are not the same.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. When any amount of gluten is consumed, the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the small intestine.

Gluten sensitivity, also called non-celiac gluten sensitivity or gluten intolerance, is a condition in which people feel sick after eating gluten. It can cause uncomfortable reactions but does not damage the small intestine. It is also not an allergy or an autoimmune disease.

What Other Issues Do I Need to Consider to Be Sure I Eliminate All Gluten From My Diet?

Gluten is the protein found in barley, wheat, and rye. While we typically think of gluten as being present in wheat and other grains, it can also be found in many unexpected foods, such as soup, lunchmeat, and salad dressings. For this reason, it can be challenging and confusing for people with celiac disease to determine which foods are safe to eat.

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with over 30 years of experience, I provide evidence-based nutrition education on:

• Label reading for foods, supplements, and medications
• Cross-contamination and steps to avoid contaminating foods when cooking and preparing meals at home
• Hidden sources of gluten
• Shopping
• Identifying gluten-free foods and gluten-containing foods to avoid
• Locating companies and stores where you can purchase or order safe, gluten-free products
• Meal planning
• Eating outside the home, including restaurants and social situations
• Travel
• Reputable resources, including websites and books, for additional information about celiac disease

Why Work With a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Being diagnosed with celiac disease can be overwhelming. Many people are confused about what to eat and how to navigate social situations, family meals, and even going out to restaurants. Since individuals with celiac disease must completely avoid gluten, it can feel like an impossible task.

Since the only treatment for celiac disease is to follow a gluten-free diet for life, working with an RDN to help navigate these requirements within your lifestyle can be invaluable. An RDN can be an important part of the treatment plan, helping patients successfully manage their diagnosis, maintain nutritional health, and avoid the adverse long-term effects of celiac disease. This is accomplished through Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT).

With over 30 years of experience working with patients on Long Island and throughout New York, I provide online Medical Nutrition Therapy to help you implement a healthful and enjoyable gluten-free lifestyle. Your gut lining can heal, nutrient absorption can be restored, and you can feel vibrant, energized, and fully nourished.