I love cooking and entertaining, however my husband has just been diagnosed with coeliac disease. I was hoping that you could provide me with some hints on how to approach his special diet. Ruth, via email. If your husband has been diagnosed with coeliac disease he will need to follow a gluten-free diet for the rest of his life. The gluten-free diet prevents further damage to the lining of his intestines and allows the gut to heal. This removes the unwanted symptoms of the disease and further improves health by allowing nutrients in food to be properly absorbed. But how do you get started? I would encourage all people to join their state Coeliac Society and consult a dietitian for a personal plan on diagnosis. Your husband’s gastroenterologist will be able to refer you to a dietitian who specialises in the area. The principles of the gluten-free diet are the avoidance of the protein component of wheat, known as gluten. As gluten is also found in other grains like rye and barley and wheat products are used widely across food manufacturing, avoiding gluten becomes very complex. A major advantage of joining the Coeliac Society is to receive the up to date food lists that are a vital part of dietary management. In the first few months things may seem overwhelming as together you sort through which foods are on and off the menu. As you learn about the wide range of gluten free products on offer and the best approach to eating out, things will seem a whole lot easier. The good news is that there are some fabulous cookbooks available that have recipes suitable for your family and for your guests. Once you start to understand which food products you can use, you’ll also be able to adapt some of your favourite recipes. Sue Shepherd is an Accredited Practising Dietitian who specialises in the area (she too has coeliac disease) and has released a cookbook I recommend called Irresistibles for the Irritables. For further information on the Coeliac Society in your state go to www.coeliac.org.au For information on Sue Shepherd and her cookbook go to www.coeliac.com.au
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
