Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease where the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten, a protein in some foods, and causes damage to the lining of the small intestine.
It is so important that those with coeliac disease don’t consume any amount of gluten, no matter how small it is, otherwise issues can occur with absorbing nutrients and lead to nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition. Coeliac disease can only be treated with a gluten free diet.
A gluten intolerance on the other hand is when the protein, gluten, causes digestive issues, such as flatulence, pain and diarrhea. Gluten doesn’t cause damage like in coeliac disease but it is still treated with a gluten free diet to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms.
Our dietitians and nutritionists are able to help you identify foods containing gluten and the appropriate alternatives that are nutritionally similar so that you aren’t missing out on important vitamins, minerals and fibre by avoiding gluten containing foods. They also help you learn how to read nutrition labels and look out for hidden sources of gluten.
