Foods To Avoid on a Celiac Diet

Celiac disease is a genetic digestive disorder caused by the inability to digest gluten. For people with celiac disease, eating gluten prompts the immune system to react in the small intestine, preventing it from absorbing some nutrients. Although no cure exists for celiac disease, eating a diet free of wheat and wheat byproducts as well as other gluten-containing grains and foods can help manage it, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Description of the Disorder

For people with celiac disease, the small intestine is extra-sensitive to gluten. When gluten is ingested, the small intestine reacts by damaging or destroying the villi, finger-like projections that take in nutrients. This causes malabsorption and ultimately malnutrition over a long period of time. Symptoms can include diarrhea, foul-smelling flatulence, abdominal bloating as well as excess fat within the stool. If the condition continues long enough, weight loss, anemia, bruising, nerve damage, osteoporosis, muscle weakness and even infertility can occur.

Foods That Contain Gluten

If you have just been diagnosed with celiac disease, you may have questions as to what foods to avoid. In the most basic sense, you should stick to a gluten-free diet. Gluten-based foods to avoid include anything that contains wheat, barley, rye and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye), reports the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Beer should be avoided, because many beers contain wheat and barley. Cereals and breads usually contain wheat and/or gluten from other grains, so they should be avoided, as should most brands of wheat pasta and pizza made with dough containing gluten. Baked goods such as cookies and cake are also usually made with gluten-based ingredients. Soft drinks such as root beer and flavored ale should be avoided as well. Many processed foods also contain gluten, often in the form of modified food starch, so it is important to investigate the ingredients listed on such foods.

Substitutions and Allowable Foods

Being diagnosed with celiac disease doesn't mean you have to give up all tasty foods. Some favorites may have to be prepared differently. For example, baked goods can be made with gluten-free flour and still taste good. Soy sauce made without wheat is safe to eat and can be added to many foods to add flavor. Unprocessed meat, milk, potatoes, corn, beans, rice and potatoes are gluten-free, according to the National Institutes of Health. For cocktails, wine, bourbon and tequila are gluten-free, along with other liquors derived from non-wheat or gluten-containing sources. The good news is that as more information about celiac disease surfaces, food manufacturers have responded: A good supply of gluten-free products lines store shelves. However, anyone with celiac disease should make it a habit before consuming a food product to check the nutrition labels, especially a processed food item, to see if gluten or gluten-containing products (such as modified food starch) are an ingredient.