It’s Coeliac Awareness Week and as a result, I thought it would be good to shed some light on coeliac disease and its management.
Coeliac disease is a condition where the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten, causing damage to the bowel. It is estimated that 80% of coeliac disease cases in Australia are undiagnosed. That’s close to a whopping 330,000 people.
Management of coeliac disease is a completely gluten-free diet. It is as simple (and difficult) as that. Gluten is a protein found in some grainy foods. The concept of going ‘gluten-free’ has become a bit of a fad of late, which has both its benefits and drawbacks for those who need to follow a gluten-free diet. Some people may see improvement in symptoms associated with their bowel function with a gluten-free diet, but it is important to get the right tests done before going gluten-free.
If you think you may be sensitive to gluten, visit your GP before making any dramatic changes to your diet. A dietitian can help develop a nutritious meal plan for people with or without coeliac disease.
Post by:
Samantha Rand
Bsc. (Nutrition and Food) & M.NutrDiet
Accredited Practising Dietitian, Accredited Nutritionist
