Q: I’ve just found out that I’ve gotten celiac disease and am a bit overwhelmed. Where do I start as far as what to eat?
A: It’s important to remember that celiac disease is an inherited auto-immune disease – that means that you are born with the genes/genetc code for celiac disease. It is very possible that others in your immediate family have those same genes, even if they don’t exhibit the symptoms of celiac disease. Currently the only treatment for celiac disease is to carefully follow a gluten-free diet.
Some good places to start with information are:
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease
• The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
For dietary advice a dietitian, particularly one experienced with celiac disease, can help navigate how to eliminate gluten from your diet but maintain the nutrients you need.
For some basic information on the gluten-free diet:beyondceliac.org/gluten-free-diet/overviewg/gluten-free-diet/overview and the book “The Gluten Free Diet: A Definitive Resource Guide” by dietitian Shelley Case.
At your local Ingles Market look for the brown and white gluten-free tags on items throughout our stores.Be sure and double check any items before purchase to make sure they are gluten-free.
Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN
Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian
facebook.com/LeahMcgrathDietitian
800-334-4936