Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition, characterized by a specific immune response which in turn leads to damage of the lining of the intestine – this is an autoimmune reaction. Immune reactions generate a lot of inflammation, which in turn, can lead to damage to the intestine.
For this reason, one needs to strictly avoid foods to prevent damage to the intestine. This is important as we need a healthy intestine wall to ensure we can absorb as many nutrients from our foods as possible, to stay healthy and fit.
Alyssa Perkins suffered from active symptoms of celiac disease for over 10 years before being diagnosed. In the decade since then, she has learned everything she can about how to live a first-rate gluten-free life in a gluten-crazy world. On her website, https://cookandchew.com, she shares recipes. She is currently writing a book designed to give newly-diagnosed celiac sufferers all the information they need to navigate their new lives.
Celiac Disease: Food Choice & Preferences
Challenges faced by Celiac Patients.
There’s the initial challenge of just getting diagnosed, with many celiac patients taking over 10 years to get diagnosed, as I did. They then face the incredible challenge of changing their lifestyle overnight. Not only does eating out at restaurants or eating dinner at parties or family functions become a gluten-y minefield (if not downright impossible at times), but finding gluten-free foods that are also nutritious can be incredibly time-consuming and difficult. While food manufacturers are required to list if a product contains wheat as a possible allergen, they are not required to list gluten. Celiac sufferers have to become veritable nutritionists and ingredient experts if they want to avoid all the hidden gluten out there.
Food and Lifestyle Choices
Knowing the ins and outs of nutrition labels and ingredients is a must. Fortunately, there are many gluten-free alternatives for common foods out there. Unfortunately, many of them are made with additional sugar, salt, fat, and/or fillers to make them taste like their gluten-full counterparts. To have healthy options on hand, many celiac sufferers have to spend hours and hours of extra time planning and preparing safe meals. It’s worth it, however, as failing to eat the right foods causes a host of problems and raises the chances of various kinds of cancer.
Food Suggestions and Preferences
Foods made from whole, natural ingredients at home are going to be the safest and healthiest. Making large batches and then freezing individual portions make for great homemade TV dinners and lunches when you’re running short on time.
Trying cuisines from other countries that are naturally gluten-free is a great way to expand your menu and options. Indian cuisine, for example, has many delicious gluten-free dishes. Thinking outside the box and trying alternatives to wheat-based products can actually give you healthier choices than the original, like high-protein pasta made from lentils or chickpeas.
