Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have coeliac disease?
There are a range of symptoms which can show signs of coeliac disease - nausea after eating wheat/gluten products, stomach pains, reactions such as vomiting, bloating, diarrhea - these are the main symptoms which show signs of coeliac disease - if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above do not panic, make an appointment to see your doctor immediately and they will be able to provide you with any help you may need.
How will I know what foods are safe to eat?
If you are buying packaged food then the key thing to do is check the label; there are many companies which state on the packaging whether there product is gluten-free or suitable for coeliacs, if not then check the ingredients for: wheat flour, barley, rye flour, oats - these are the main ingredients to look out for however there are many more - always contact your doctor if you are unsure or buy a coeliac handbook which lists all the food products which are suitable for coeliacs. Another way of keeping safe is by keeping all your food natural; stick to produce which is produced naturally such as fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat etc. By sticking to natural foods you can stay safe from aspects such as contamination within a factory and also you get more nutrients from fresh natural foods.
Are there any drinks which should be avoided?
Yes, there are a number of drinks which should be avoided by coeliacs; drinks such as barley water for example - barley is from the same family as wheat and contains the same protein: gluten - all drinks containing barley should be avoided - this includes many malt drinks in which the main ingredient is malted barley. There are certain alcoholic drinks which should be avoided too: Beers and lagers use malted barley and contain gluten - there are however many alternatives: many ciders are gluten free as they do not use malted barley in the production, many wines are also gluten free, I suggest checking with your doctor about what drinks are safe if you are ever unsure.
Can I eat oats?
The answer to this question depends entirely on the person in question and the severity of their condition - it is advised that all coeliacs do not eat oats however different people have different tolerance levels and some people may be able to eat oats without any problems, HOWEVER: you must consult your doctor before trying to eat oats; they will advise you on what action to take if you would like to eat them and give you the necessary guidance you will need. The safest option would be to just leave oats out of your diet and find an alternative: rice flakes for example can be used to make a rice porridge or there are various different gluten free muesli’s available.
Traces of wheat/gluten in other foods: what should I do?
If a product states that it may contain traces of wheat/gluten then leave it - when a product states it contains traces of another ingredient it can be for a number of reasons; there may be another product made in the factory which contains gluten, a certain machine which is used for making the product may be used to make another product which isn’t gluten free etc. Overall it is better to be safe than sorry and as you do not know the actual amount of gluten as defined as a “trace†it is better not to eat it.
How often do products change their ingredients?
This is a common problem - companies producing foods will often try and make their food better by improving the recipes or changing the recipes; this may include the addition of gluten to a previously gluten-free product, the problem is that there is sometimes no warning of the fact that a recipe has changed, the best advice is to buy a copy of the coeliac handbook and join the coeliac UK - part of their work is to provide coeliacs with updates to products listed in the handbook and whether they change the ingredients; you can find out more information by looking at the information on the CoeliacUK pages of this site.
Are wheat-free products the same as gluten-free products?
No - many people can be confused between the two, wheat free means that the ingredient wheat is not used in the product however gluten is found in other products such as oats, wheat, barley and rye - coeliacs should be aware of this as it is gluten which is the problem. Some products which state they are wheat free and they contain gluten are ok for coeliacs as they conform to the codex alimentarius standards - for more information click on the codex link in the menu to find out more.
After being diagnosed as a coeliac should I go straight onto a gluten-free diet?
Yes, after being diagnosed as having coeliac disease it is vital that you stick to a gluten-free diet otherwise you run the risk of causing more problems, if you are unsure about what to eat then consult your doctor who may put you in touch with a dietician who will be able to advise you on what is safe to eat.
Do I need to see a dietician?
A dietician will be able to advise you on what foods you can and cannot eat, it is useful to see a dietician as becoming a coeliac and being told you have to stick to a gluten free diet can seem daunting. To find out about seeing a dietician in your area contact your local doctor
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