About Coeliac Disease
‘Coeliac’ comes from the Ancient Greek ‘koilia’, meaning ‘belly’.
This shows that Coeliac disease is not a new problem.....its been around for years...!!
However, if its new to you.....or if you have recently been diagnosed with Coeliac disease, or several other conditions where a Gluten free diet is an integral part of regaining and maintaining good health, you may, at first, be feeling rather daunted and puzzled.
It's only natural that you feel unsure what foods you can safely eat, where to buy such foods, where to find some practical help and advice.
Don’t worry. (yes I know, easier said than done).
There is a lot of help available..both on line and through the Coeliac-UK, the charity for Coeliac Disease and DH. You have made a good start by being here....
There are approximately 650,000 Coeliacs in the UK, so you are far from being alone.
This figure is the equivalent to 1 in 100 of the UK population. Other research suggests this figure is closer to 1 in 10....
It is a global propblem, crossing all boundaries and present on all continents It maybe genetic...it can easily "run in the family"...it maybe hereditary. The research continues.....
How do you know??
In the UK, the diagnosis is made a simple blood test first, followed by endoscopy is to confirm the diagnosis.
Until you have the confirmation, it is imperative that you retain gluten in your normal diet.
The list of symptoms of Coeliac Disease...varies from person to person. Its not a one size fits all situation. Can be any age from small babies...to over 85...male and female.
Many people may neither know they are Coeliacs, nor do they understand the condition or know how to manage their diet successfully.
But there are many naturally gluten free foods, and gluten free equivalents of the usual favourites such as bread, pastry based items, and even beers and lagers, so there is no reason whatsoever to "go without".
Within a few weeks of a gluten free diet, you will already feel much better. (Trust me on this one...)
I will also advise..that you will slip up. It will be a momentary lapse...and you will not be yourself for a few days. We are all different in the recovery period.
It is in the adjustment period that you will need some help as it is so important to adhere to the Gluten free life style.
In the section, you will find some practical tips to maintaining your diet in the home and also in social situations.
We have also compiled a list of tried and tested recipes to tempt your taste buds along with lots of information and advice about living a Gluten free lifestyle.
Wellfoods......its real food minus the gluten.