Coeliac disease: Symptoms and living gluten free

What is coeliac disease?

Coeliac disease is caused by an adverse reaction to gluten, a dietary protein found in 3 types of cereal: wheat, barley and rye. 

Everyday foods that contain wheat, barley and rye include: 

• Pasta 

• Cakes 

• Breakfast cereals 

• Most types of bread 

• Certain types of sauces 

• Some ready meals 

Also, most beers are made with barley. 

Symptoms of coeliac disease

Eating foods that contain gluten can trigger a range of gut symptoms, such as:
• Diarrhoea (explore options for diarrhoea relief)
• Stomach ache
• Bloating (FyboCalm can help with bloating relief) • Wind (flatulence)
• Indigestion (explore options for indigestion relief) • Constipation (explore options for constipation relief)

Coeliac disease can also cause more general symptoms such as tiredness, anaemia and weight loss.

Treating coeliac disease

There's no cure for coeliac disease, but following a gluten free diet should help control symptoms and prevent long-term complications. Once gluten is removed from your diet you usually start to feel much better. Even if you have mild symptoms, changing your diet is still recommended because continuing to eat gluten can lead to serious complications. It's important to ensure that your gluten free diet is healthy and balanced. The growing availability of gluten free foods in supermarkets and restaurants in recent years has made it possible to eat both a healthy and varied gluten free diet.

Living gluten free: Managing coeliac disease

Managing coeliac disease means committing to a strict, lifelong gluten free diet, as even small amounts of gluten can trigger symptoms. With the right support and planning you can maintain a healthy, balanced diet without compromising on nutrition or taste.

3 steps to managing coeliac disease:

1. Eliminate all sources of gluten
   Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye, plus many processed foods. Always check labels for hidden sources of gluten.
   

2. Choose naturally gluten free foods
   Fresh fruits, vegetables, potatoes, legumes (e.g. lentils, peas, beans), rice, meat, fish, eggs and dairy are all naturally gluten free and safe to eat if you have coeliac disease.
   

3. Find gluten free alternatives
   Look for gluten free bread, pasta and cereals that are clearly labelled for coeliac safety.

If you have any concerns about your gut health, speak with a doctor.

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