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Gluten-free diet

Gluten-free diet

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If you have a gluten intolerance or coeliac disease, then choosing the right foods is essential. Our guide will show you what you can and can't eat plus give you an example diet to try.

What is it?

Gluten is a special kind of protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Many everyday foods contain gluten including bread, biscuits, pasta and even some man-made meat products such as sausages.

A gluten-free diet is one that completely cuts out gluten, either by eating foods that are naturally gluten-free or by swapping foods that contain gluten for gluten-free alternatives. A gluten-free diet is not the same as a wheat free diet. Bear in mind that some gluten-free foods may still contain wheat.

How does it work?

Gluten doesn't cause a problem to most people but some people's bodies can't tolerate it. No one really knows how or why but it's thought certain people's immune systems react against it.

By cutting out gluten completely, these people will not only feel better day-to-day, they'll also avoid storing up health problems in the future.

Who is a Gluten Free Diet good for? >

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All pages in this article

1. Gluten-free diet
2. Who is a Gluten Free Diet good for?

3. What can you eat on a Gluten Free Diet?

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hannah55

6:52 PM on 9 April, 2011

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hi

I have always been intolerant/ celiac to gluten, bread, milk and sugar. As a child I had malapsortion of minerals and nutrients and had trouble to grow, I had to have calcium injected in order to grow. I am the smallest of all my family members. As a child I tend to vomit the usual cereal meals and felt extremelly tired and always with fatigue throughout. On my teens, my hair started to fall, and I had rushes/psiorasis or what I thought it was ezcema from time to time. My face was always covered in these blisters ( twice a year) that will leave scars. on my early 20s I started to have violet reaccions my whole face including my eyelids wil swollen and then the skin will peel off, that really scared me and I tested myself for allergies on a new german machine. I was told to stay away from gluten in order to stop the reactions and the fatigue. It worked though it was really difficult and expensive , I lost a lot of weight and stopped the regime after I recovered.. Big mistake! I have developed IBS and have chronic fatigue, all pointing out to gluten intolerance. I am now sticking to no cakes, barley instead of pasta, rye bread with no yeast and at least 60% of raw food. In three days I feel already better. I wish there was a remedy againts the gluten intolerance. Anyone knows about the psychological-genetic causes?

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Mia

7:37 PM on 17 April, 2010

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I was diagnosed as a coeliac 12 years ago, and i have to say i have found it very difficult to stick to the diet. I have never asked for a prescription, does anyone know how much it would cost me? My tummy is always bloated as well.

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Susan

12:13 PM on 15 November, 2009

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hello My son has been on a gluten free diet for almost a year with huge improvements in his health. Can anyone recommend the most normal seeming gluten free breads and rolls to buy and the best gluten free pasta. Thanks Susan

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Franki

12:56 AM on 15 March, 2008

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I disagree with your comment that 'no one really knows how or why' - coeliac is an auto-immune disease, which means that the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues - For people with coeliac disease this attack is triggered by gluten whereas gluten/wheat intolerance works like any other intolerance. If you have been diagnosed as coeliac then join the coeliac society (simple web search will find them). tips: always phone restaurants in advance and ask if they cater for a gluten free diet - you will soon learn who knows what they are talking about. Don't feel bad about walking out of a restaurant if you don't feel confident that they can cater for your diet. Shop bought gluten free bread - isn't great as bread but makes nice toast. If you are buying gluten free pasta I find that the maize based stuff is difficult to cook and goes mushy if you cook it for too long - try to buy rice based pasta instead (it is paler in colour) it keeps it's texture better. Continental sausages are less likely to contain gluten - it seems to be mostly us Brits who insist on putting rusk in sausages. --and my final tip - and a warning to food producers - I can't be bothered spending hours in the supermarket reading labels - if it's not clearly labelled as gluten free I don't buy it - why waste time? buy the products that are clearly marked.

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Georgin McCartney

4:11 PM on 28 February, 2008

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I am seeking gluten free bran as the diet and medication are causing me considerable constipation. I am taking strong iron so I would appreciate any information.

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Cally

12:02 PM on 13 February, 2008

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For my a level coursework ive got 2 interview people with special dietary needs....and this site says theres a diabetic and obviously lots of gluten free people.... So if people wouldn't mind answering a few questions, it would be much appriatated :D

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Tom

9:40 PM on 7 January, 2008

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hello, my partner is intollerant to gluten, she finds it extremly hard to stick to a strict diet, especially when we go out for meals or we just need convienice meals, as we normally in a rush, gluten is in nearly every product. plus all free from foods are well over priced an not the best quality, especially the bread!!

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lyndsey

12:59 PM on 3 January, 2008

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hi ive done a restriction diet and re introduced most foods, also i am a diabetic and have i b s i would love to know how and what foods have been good for you as i have lost the will to eat, please give me some sound advice that WORKS.

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meg

8:58 PM on 8 December, 2007

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Hi, I've just been diagnosed with a wheat/gluten allergy, following an analpyhllactic reaction - my body's way of saying enough is enough and ignoring all the warning signs. Am scared enough at the reaction but I wish the dermatitis rash and the itching associated would go! I'm now on the hunt for gluten / wheat free products and advice. Meg

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rachael

9:47 PM on 29 October, 2007

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This article is very helpful. My best friend has been diagnosed the coeliac disease 6 months ago and is trying to stick to the diet but she also finds eating out a problem as many resturants dont cater for this condition. Any help and useful tips any way has please let me know and i will pass it on to her. Rachaelxxx

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