Being diagnosed with Celiac disease can be both a relief and a worry to the individual and their family. Since the only current treatment for celiac disease is dietary change, it can be an overwhelming process for those that are not familiar with a gluten free diet.

The average diet is filled with processed foods and foods that contain breading and fillers that are loaded with gluten. Many families may initially wonder if a gluten free diet is possible, or if it will be too restrictive. While it may seem that way initially, a gluten free diet becomes easier over time and you will find in time that the diet simply requires knowledge and a bit of practice.

There are a few basics that can get of you off on the right track to renewed health. For those that are newly diagnosed it is helpful to keep things simple in the beginning. Learn what foods are not permitted, avoid those foods and learn to cook with whole simple ingredients such as meats, fruits and vegetables. As you become more familiar with what is allowed and what should be avoided you can begin to make substitutions for your favorite items.

Avoid any product that has any sort of wheat including durum, kamut, spelt, graham and semolina; avoid rye, barley and triticale as well. Safe flours that can be used in baking, as coatings and thickening agents include rice, soy ,tapioca, garfava, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, nut flours, corn, potato, beans or sorghum.

Much has been written about oats and whether this grain is gluten free. Oats is one of those grains that are often milled in the same facilities as wheat and therefore cross contamination is the biggest issue with this grain. Be sure that all grains you use are labeled as gluten free, and are processed on dedicated gluten free machinery.

While learning how to eat gluten free, it is best to avoid all processed foods. Most processed foods contain gluten; however it is not always readily apparent from reading the label. Some foods are easy to spot; almost all breadings are made from flour, where it becomes difficult is when the product contains additives that contain gluten but are not labeled specifically as such. Unless a food is labeled as gluten free, it is best to avoid it until you have a better understanding of the different food terms that can include gluten.
There are still many things that a person who has celiac disease can eat, such as any fruits, vegetables or meat. It is best to stick with whole food products such as these that have not been processed until you can do the research and understand what foods are healthy for you to eat.