Finding Options for Celiac Disease

It can be easy to take having a regular diet for granted. Not having to read the ingredient list of everything you eat and not needing to modify your diet is an unknown luxury for most people. For other people, eating the wrong foods can have significant consequences. Those who deal with celiac disease understand how challenging it can be to avoid foods that trigger their symptoms. The Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center team specializes in helping patients with complex dietary needs, including celiac disease. Here are a few points on how our medical nutrition therapy program can help take some guesswork out of what you should eat and how you can regulate your diet.

What is Celiac Disease?

A common misconception of celiac disease is that many people believe it is gluten sensitivity. However, celiac disease is more severe than minor gluten sensitivity. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body attacks the villi, small projections in the small intestine that help you absorb nutrients. If the villi suffer damage, it affects your body’s ability to take in nutrients, creating dangerous problems.

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Gluten is one of the most recognizable triggers for celiac disease, making it crucial to avoid it. Medical nutrition therapy helps those with conditions such as celiac disease find a suitable diet for their lifestyle. Also, medical nutrition therapy can help patients set healthy dietary goals, such as eating appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals and avoiding foods that can trigger problems. For those with celiac disease, a medical nutrition therapy plan includes eliminating gluten, a protein commonly found in wheat, rye, and barley.

Part of a nutrition plan for someone with celiac disease can include avoiding pasta, bread, and other carbohydrates made with wheat flour and most other forms of flour. Another critical component of Medical Nutrition Therapy for Celiac Disease patients is understanding the importance of reading labels on food items and understanding how food is prepared when you go to restaurants.

It can be overwhelming to make the necessary lifestyle changes that come with celiac disease, but the team of the Summit Health Regional Medical Center can help you through the process. For more on how we can help you meet your dietary needs, please schedule an appointment with our office by calling us today at 928-537-4375.