The gluten free diet is mandatory for people who suffer from celiac disease. By avoiding products that contain gluten is the only way to prevent developing the symptoms that come with this condition, including dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms. Celiac disease does not have any cure besides these diets and patients must follow them carefully in order to prevent further complications. Dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms include an itchy rash which is more likely to appear on the elbows, knees and buttocks. As there is no treatment for the condition, one has to make sure to avoid gluten products. Read more about the gluten free foods and about what celiac disease patients can and cannot eat.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and some other grains. This substance is naturally found in many foods and it does not harm the health of individuals unless they are suffering from celiac disease. This condition is characterized by the destruction of the villie (small parts of the small intestine) by the immune system. Specialists now agree that the disease is genetic and also that if gluten is removed from the patient’s diet, the small intestine gets the chance to heal.
Removing gluten from one’s diet is not easy for sure given that the foods that contain gluten are also important in one’s diet because they contain nutrients that are necessary for a well functioning of the body. And yet, gluten must be removed from the diet of celiac people. Therefore, celiac patients are strongly recommended to consult a dietarian.
A first step in eliminating gluten from the diet is reading the food labels carefully. One should not eat anything that contains whets, rye or barley, oats or malt vinegar. From this category, gluten free foods include potato, rice, corn, soybeans, tapioca, carob, buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, millet and arrowroot. However, gluten can be hidden in products such as vegetable proteins (when not made of soy or corn), malt, flour or cereal products, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, vegetable gum, and soy sauce. Also, foods that have specified on the label any stabilizers, emulsifiers, flavoring, plant proteins or starch and hydrolyzed might contain gluten of traces of gluten.
Here are some foods that do not contain gluten and are safe to be consumed by celiac patients. They include onion, leeks, garlic, dandelion, jams, agave, banana, chicory root, jicama, artichokes or asparagus. Also, dairy products such as low fat, skim, dry or whole milk, condensed milk, buttermilk, cream and whipping cream, American cheese or cheese such as Cheddar, Swiss, or Parmesan. Eggs, seafood, poultry, peanut butter, pork, 100% meat with no grain additives and dried beans or peas do not contain gluten. Fresh vegetable as well as the frozen ones are also gluten-free.
To conclude, a gluten free diet is mandatory in celiac patients although it is difficult and annoying because t requires so much caution and forbearance from foods that individuals enjoy eating.