Actress-turned-health-guru Gwyneth Paltrow has published a gluten-free cookbook, New Girl star Zooey Deschanel is coeliac, British actress Caroline Quentin has spoken out about her battle with the disease and fashion designer Victoria Beckham and actress Rachel Weisz have both been known to go gluten-free, all raising awareness around the diet. Around 1 in 100 people have been diagnosed as coeliac in the UK and there are an estimated 500,000 undiagnosed sufferers across the country.
To mark Coeliac Awareness Week, HELLO! Online have collected top tips to make going gluten-free easy.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham and Zooey Deschanel have all been associated with the gluten-free diet
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in grains including wheat, barley and rye, meaning it's a prevalent ingredient in bread, cake, pasta, pizza, biscuits and many of the processed products on today's supermarket shelves.
What are the symptoms someone coeliac might suffer?
Symptoms vary from one person to the next, but can include bloating, abdominal cramps, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, wind, tiredness, headaches, sudden or unexpected weight loss, hair loss and anaemia.
Treats for coeliacs are just as sweet: toffee and apple flapjack
It is now medically recognised that some people with coeliac disease don't have any recognisable physical symptoms but still have the damage to their gut on the inside, so if you do have a family history of coeliac disease it's a good idea to ask your doctor for a blood test.
Restaurant tips for coeliacs
Restaurants are becoming more aware of dietary requirements such as coeliacs wanting to eat gluten-free and many menus come complete with a key, stating "gf" alongside appropriate dishes. To make dining out easier, you can also call ahead to check they can cater for you, let your waiter know about your strict gluten-free requirements and get them to talk you through your options on the menu.
Quinoa risotto makes a great, healthy and gluten-free meal
What's naturally gluten-free?
Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye, so all meat, fish, fruit, vegetables (including pulses and beans) and dairy is naturally gluten-free, as well as grains like rice and corn, and the ancient grain quinoa.
Top tips for coeliacs
1. Be careful with cross-contamination. Don't let gluten-free food come into contact with anything that contains gluten, like bread crumbs or flour. To avoid it, wipe down surfaces and clean utensils thoroughly. Don't use a wooden board to chop gluten-free bread as this has tiny pores which can collect gluten-containing bread and contaminate gluten-free bread
Going gluten-free needn't mean abandoning food you love with GF options
2. Try to buy naturally gluten-free foods in the supermarket but always check allergen labels as manufacturers do change their ingredients and manufacturing processes
3. Join the national charity, Coeliac UK. They have lots of fantastic information to share, including a neat little book listing gluten-free food and drink, recipes and local volunteer groups
4. Experiment in the kitchen with new recipes and your old favourites as there are lots of delicious gluten-free recipes out there.
