Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects over 1% of the US population. It reduces the small intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients from certain foods because of the presence of gluten in these foods.
With no existing cure for the disease, the only solution is to make dietary and lifestyle changes, including a gluten-free diet.
Making sure you get the required nutrition without triggering your celiac can be difficult, but you don’t have to give up your favorite foods to do so. Here are some of the best foods for a celiac disease diet.
Celiac Disease-Friendly Foods
Dealing with celiac disease doesn’t mean that you have to leave your palette craving more. Here are some gluten-free and celiac-friendly foods that are tasty and healthy!
Whole Grains
Whole grains such as quinoa, rice, buckwheat, tapioca, and arrowroot are naturally gluten-free.
You can use them to make a variety of dishes and can even substitute them for wheat, barley, and rye.
Oats
Oats are a great substitute for wheat in all kinds of recipes and are also delicious on their own. You can make both sweet and savory oats, depending on your taste preferences.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables, as we all know, are extremely healthy and nutritious. But, if you’re on a gluten-free diet due to celiac, it’s better to avoid canned or processed fruits and vegetables as they may contain gluten-containing ingredients such as hydrolyzed wheat protein, modified food starch, and malt.
Citrus fruits, pears, peaches, banana, apples, and berries are all great to add to your diet as snacks.
As for vegetables, you can have carrots, radishes, green beans, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, leafy greens, and cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli. All of these are extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes and salads.
Protein
Fresh, unprocessed animal and plant proteins are naturally gluten-free and completely safe for celiac. This includes nuts and seeds, legumes, red meat, poultry, seafood, and unflavored soy foods.
Processed meats are also safe if you confirm that they are gluten-free.
Dairy
Dairy is healthy and delicious, and most dairy products are also gluten-free. This includes milk, butter, ghee, cheese, cream, and yogurt.
Although adding dairy to your diet is good for health, flavored dairy must be checked for gluten.
Hearts of Palm
Hearts of palm are extremely versatile and offer loads of health benefits. They are low-carb, gluten-free vegetables that can be used as substitutes for several ingredients in a variety of dishes.
Hearts of palm pasta is a great alternative to traditional pasta, as are hearts of palm noodles.
You can also enjoy a deliciously creamy mash, such as the Natural Haven mash made from hearts of palm.
Conclusion
Eating gluten-free foods for a celiac-friendly diet may seem difficult, but it really isn’t. There are so many ways to enjoy a healthy and tasty diet, including gluten-free lasagna and pasta!
With all the options listed here that are ideal for celiac disease, you can still experiment with various dishes with healthy ingredients that are gluten-free and celiac-friendly!