Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine. The disease affects 1 in 133 Americans and because the symptoms are so diverse, many people wait up to 10 years for a correct diagnosis.
People with celiac disease must avoid gluten – the protein in wheat, rye and barley in addition to foods and ingredient made from these grains. If you’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease, following a gluten-free diet is the only way to treat the disease. A registered dietitian can help you become a label sleuth to find “hidden” gluten in the foods you eat. For example, “wheat free” on the label doesn’t guarantee gluten free, frozen veggies packaged in a sauce may contain gluten and tradition beer and soy sauce are gluten-contain. Even French fries from a restaurant may contain gluten due to cross contamination.
The good news is that eating gluten free has never been easier and more tasty! Learn more by contacting one of our dietitians or sign up for an upcoming gluten free cooking class with a Missouri Baptist Medical Center dietitian at Dierbergs Markets.