SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton: Navigating The Holidays With Celiac Disease

Press release from SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

December 10, 2021

Are you dealing with food-related holiday stress? Many people experience a tremendous amount of pressure this time of year, but those with celiac disease often have an added layer of stress as they plan to bring their own food for family gatherings.

“Navigating a gluten-free diet can be very challenging since gluten is hidden in so many foods and is not always obvious based on the ingredients listed on the nutrition facts label,” said Brenna Waldschmidt, Clinical Nutrition Manager at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison. “Both shredded and string cheese are prime examples of this as some manufacturers use gluten-containing starch as an anti-caking agent, though this is fortunately becoming less common as the demand for gluten-free products continues to grow.”

Trying to maintain a gluten-free diet at the ultimate feast means some of the most traditional items may not have a spot on your plate. If you are newly diagnosed with celiac disease or have a dinner guest who has it, there are ways to prepare a delicious meal everyone can enjoy.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that's triggered when you eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Over time, the immune reaction to eating gluten creates inflammation that damages the small intestine's lining, leading to medical complications. It also prevents absorption of some essential nutrients.

The classic symptom is diarrhea, but sufferers also tend to have bloating, gas, weight loss, abdominal pain, constipation, nausea and fatigue. The main treatment is a strict gluten-free diet, which can help manage symptoms and promote intestinal healing.

“There are so many delicious recipes for gluten-free diets,” said Waldshmidt. “It’s also not that hard to find gluten-free items at the grocery store.”

Many people with celiac disease don’t know they have it and needlessly suffer. If you think you may have celiac disease, consult your physician so that you can be tested.

The Celiac Disease Foundation (celiac.org) is a great resource to use for guidance on gluten free-cooking, grocery shopping, and label reading. The specialists at SSM Health provide treatment for a variety of gastrointestinal conditions including celiac disease. Learn more here.

This press release was produced by SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.