10 Celiac Diet Foods
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that tends to occur as a result of genetics. The disease is marked by an inability to consume products with gluten in them. Doing so will damage the small intestine and lead to a number of unpleasant effects.
While celiac tends to be hereditary, if people have not consumed glutinous foods, they may not be aware that they have the condition. Conversely, the condition can arise at any point in someone who regularly eats gluten. If you don’t get the problem treated and continue to eat gluten, it can progress into much more serious issues. People with celiac are more likely to develop other autoimmune disorders, like multiple sclerosis or diabetes.
More people nowadays are being diagnosed with celiac disease than ever before. Even more people are sensitive to gluten and have declared themselves fit to only consume a celiac diet. Even if you’re not celiac, the reality is that gluten is difficult to digest. While it’s not inherently dangerous, the amount that most people consume in the West is far more than the body can handle easily.
For this reason, we have compiled a list of some of the best celiac-friendly, gluten-free snacks. These snacks will help you meet your daily nutritional needs without running the risk of damaging your body by consuming gluten.
Celiac Diet Food #1: Fresh Fruit
One of the things that you’re probably going to be reaching for after getting diagnosed with celiac disease is fruit. Lots and lots of fruit. Fruit is a great way to fill a snack craving if you can’t reach for some crackers and cheese, and it’s also a lot better for you.
Different fruits have different nutrients in them, and they’re all loaded with antioxidants. Many glutinous foods contain next to no nutrition, so by replacing them with fruit you’ll be doing yourself a good service.
Celiac Diet Food #2: Nuts
Nuts are another great gluten-free snack that can provide you with a ton of different nutrients. Nuts are generally a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for the health of our brain and cardiovascular system. They’re also generally a great source of vitamin E, an antioxidant nutrient that helps keep our skin healthy.
Almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and cashews are among the most nutritional nuts that you can get. Peanuts, especially those salted and baked in oil, are generally not that great for you.
Celiac Diet Food #3: Corn Chips
Corn chips are a great way to satisfy a gluten craving because they’re crunchy like crackers.
You can pair corn chips with any number of delicious, gluten-free condiments. Try some fresh salsa for a little bit of a kick, or some guacamole if you want a richer flavor and a hefty dose of omega-3 fatty acids. Corn chips and hummus is another great snack to help you pack in the nutrition.
Celiac Diet Food #4: Gluten-Free Sandwiches
Just because you’re celiac doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy bread. There are a lot of different types of gluten-free bread out there that can be made from things like quinoa, rice, spelt, and more.
While it might take a loaf or two for someone who has been eating wheat bread their whole lives to adjust, gluten-free bread is quite rewarding and much healthier. Now you’ll be able to enjoy all of your old favorite sandwiches on a new type of bread.
Celiac Diet Food #5: Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are another thing that can be great for someone craving gluten. Baked potatoes are white and starchy and can often fill the void that bread cannot.
You can do a lot of things with baked potatoes to make them more exciting. You can sprinkle them with oregano and put a dollop of sour cream on, grate some cheese on top, or follow the traditional method of just using a lump of butter.
Celiac Diet Food #6: Gluten-Free Cereal
Just like with bread, there’s no reason to stop eating cereal if you’ve gone gluten-free. Most brands are quite clear when stating that their cereal is gluten-free, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding one that suits you.
Another great gluten-free option is muesli. Muesli is similar to granola and contains a number of healthy ingredients. However, not all muesli is gluten-free – make sure that you check the label!
Celiac Diet Food #7: Popcorn
Most forms of popcorn are gluten free. If you’re going to be getting the microwave version (which you should avoid at all costs, since it’s generally loaded with saturated fats and isn’t very good) then make sure you ensure that there’s no gluten in it. Oftentimes they will be processed in a facility that uses wheat.
The best thing that you can do is make your own air popped popcorn. You can do this on the stove and add your own olive oil and nutritional yeast to make a delicious, healthy snack.
Celiac Diet Food #8: Vegetable Sticks
Another way to beef up your nutritional intake is to incorporate lots of vegetable sticks into your diet. However, it’s important to note that celiac disease is marked by difficulty digesting gluten. Raw vegetables are generally quite difficult to digest as well, so you will want to take these in moderation.
Vegetable sticks go great with some gluten-free dressing or hummus. You can use things like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and cucumber to make a nice, attractive plate of gluten-free goodness.
Celiac Diet Food #9: Ants on a Log
Ants on a log are a classic snack that many of us might know by a different name. Regardless, this snack consists of celery sticks lathered in peanut butter and topped with raisins.
This is a great way to boost your fiber intake, as well as provide you with a good dose of protein. The raisins also provide you with a good source of natural carbohydrates. This snack might seem small, but it will keep you energized for quite some time.
Celiac Diet Food #10: Gluten-Free Snacks
The above list was just a guideline for foods that are generally good for celiac patients. However, pretty much everything that’s usually made with gluten is now available with a gluten-free option. Most big grocery stores have aisles for gluten-free snacks where you can find things like crackers, chips, and cookies without the gluten in them.
That said, just because something is gluten-free doesn’t mean that it’s healthy. Make sure that you don’t overindulge in sugary or fatty foods; otherwise you’ll end up with a whole new set of problems.
