Diet for celiac disease: what to eat and what to avoid (with menu)

The diet for celiac disease must be completely gluten-free and, therefore, it is essential to avoid eating foods such as wheat, barley, rye, malt, triticale and spelt.

In the celiac disease diet, it is also important to avoid foods that can be contaminated with gluten, such as oats, soy sauce and processed meats. Therefore, you should always check the food label, which must have the information “contains gluten” or “does not contain gluten”.

People with celiac disease must follow a gluten-free diet, as consuming these foods can cause damage to the intestine, worsening the symptoms of this disease such as diarrhea, swollen belly and abdominal pain. See more about the symptoms of celiac disease.

Foods that should be avoided

Foods that should be avoided are all those that contain gluten, such as:

• Wheat flour, germ and bran;
• Barley;
• Rye;
• Triticale;
• Painted;
• Spelled;
• Semola;
• Khorasan;
• Wheat flour-based pasta and sweets: breads, breadcrumbs, cakes, croutons, snacks, cookies, pizza, pasta, pastries and lasagna;
• Alcoholic drinks: beer, whiskey, vodka, gin and ginger ale;
• Other drinks: ovomaltine, drinks containing malt, coffees mixed with barley, chocolate drinks.
• Cereals in the form of flour for preparing porridge.

All of these foods should be completely eliminated from the diet, as they can cause the symptoms of celiac disease.

Foods that can be contaminated with gluten

Some foods do not contain gluten in their composition, but during their cultivation, manufacturing or preparation they may come into contact with foods that contain gluten, causing contamination. Therefore, these foods should also be avoided by celiac patients, as they can worsen the disease.

Some examples of foods that can be contaminated are oats, processed cheeses, instant soups, ready-made meatballs, frozen French fries, soy sauce, salad dressings, powdered and diced seasonings, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, powdered juices, vegetarian burgers , embedded meats and mix of nuts.

However, some of these foods may not contain gluten. Therefore, it is important to always read the food label, which must indicate whether it contains gluten or whether it says “gluten-free”.

What to eat

Foods that should be prioritized in the diet are:

• Fruits in general, such as banana, apple, papaya, pear, orange, watermelon and guava;
• Vegetables and vegetables, such as lettuce, tomato, cucumber, okra, gherkin and eggplant;
• Legumes, such as beans, chickpeas, soybeans and lentils;
• Gluten-free cereals, such as rice, quinoa, corn, millet, teff, amaranth and buckwheat;
• Fats and seeds, such as olive oil, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and flaxseed;
• proteins, such as chicken, fish, eggs, tofu and beef;
• Oilseeds, such as Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, almonds and walnuts;
• Dairy, such as milk, cheese, yogurt and butter;
• Tubers, such as potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, cassava and baroa potatoes.

It is also possible to purchase various foods in supermarkets or health food stores, such as gluten-free bread and pasta, which can also be included in the diet. See other gluten-free foods.

Diet menu for celiac disease

The following table contains an example of a 3-day menu for celiac disease:

This menu is just an example that may vary depending on individual nutritional preferences. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a nutritionist to create a nutritional plan adapted to individual nutritional needs.

If you want an individualized diet, make an appointment with a nutritionist in the region closest to you:

Care that should be taken at home

In addition to avoiding foods with gluten, it is also important to take some precautions at home to avoid contamination. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid using the same utensils and equipment, such as pans, cutlery, blender and sandwich maker, to prepare gluten- and gluten-free foods.

It is also advisable to avoid storing gluten-containing and gluten-free foods in the same place. Furthermore, it is important to always clean the space where gluten-free foods will be prepared.

Care outside the home

People with celiac disease should be more careful when eating outside the home. In restaurants, it is important to always inform that you have celiac disease and ask about all the ingredients used in the preparations.

Another option is to look for restaurants that are gluten-free, as many kitchens can prepare gluten-free and gluten-containing foods in the same space or use the same utensils.

Furthermore, at friends’ houses you should avoid using the same plates, cutlery and glasses that were used to place gluten-containing foods. If necessary, the ideal is to wash these utensils well and preferably with a new sponge.

Watch the following video to learn more diet tips for celiac disease: