Living Healthy with Celiac Disease

An Overview of Naturally Healthy Gluten-free FoodsProper nutrition is important for everyone. When following a gluten-free diet, balanced healthy eating requires knowledge. Celiac disease is a genetic disorder that affects about 2 million Americans including my niece Megan. Those
 who have been diagnosed with Celiac disease cannot properly digest gluten, the sticky protein found in many common grains including wheat, rye and barley. For people with Celiac disease, eating gluten damages the lining of the small intestine so they must follow a gluten-free diet by eliminating many products containing grains, cereals and pastas.According to the Celiac Sprue Association, eating gluten triggers an autoimmune response that causes the small intestine to lose its ability to absorb key nutrients which, in turn, can lead to malnutrition.Additionally, many gluten-free pre-packaged foods provide an insufficient amount of necessary nutrients, which compounds the issue. To maintain proper nutrition, gluten-free eating must include healthy foods with plenty of B-complex vitamins, folic acid, calcium and fiber. Those with Celiac disease may also suffer from a lack of iron intake, so including iron rich foods is necessary to achieve balanced nutrition.Even though following a gluten-free diet requires eliminating many grains, cereals and pastas, there are delicious and nutritious foods that are naturally free of gluten. The best solution for balanced health is to follow a gluten-free whole foods diet and save the pre-packaged gluten-free products for special occasions. Eating a diet consisting of naturally gluten-free foods is healthier, more nutritious and more economical.For nutritionally balanced gluten-free eating, here is a partial list of healthy foods to include in your diet:To increase your intake of B vitamins include some or all of the following in your meal plan: lean ham, lean pork chops, lean beef, calf’s liver, oysters, clams, scallops, shrimp, chicken breast, tuna, snapper,salmon, eggs and low-fat dairy products.