Coeliac Disease and a Vegetarian Diet - Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance

If you have ever been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease and are already following a vegetarian diet, or are thinking of including some more vegetarian meals as part of a healthy diet, read on. There are a few pitfalls for you if you include any ready meals, as they may contain gluten.

Fresh is usually best and this is especially true for Coeliac's who will discover that most if not all of the processed food they have been enjoying is actually harming their intestines. A simple blood test will point out to your doctor if you are showing any of the many symptoms which can manifest themselves with this problem.

My daughter has followed a vegetarian diet for more than 25 years including many processed non-meat products and her absolute favourite of filled pasta shells. After the birth of her second child, she asked her doctor to give her a blood test, due to her lack of energy and general tiredness. The protein in her blood was very high and a test at the hospital confirmed she had Coeliac Disease.

By cutting out pre-packed meals and following a gluten-free diet, her symptoms cleared up within a short time. She has lots more energy and looks so much healthier, she now includes plenty of fresh food, and together we have come up with a number of great recipes substituting lentils for the filling in any meat-free meals.

You don't need to suffer from wheat or gluten intolerance to enjoy a healthier diet, try making your own tomato sauce to go with pasta, it will cost you less than buying a jar of sauce and is better for you, plus it tastes great.

Here are a few suggestions to help you with your weekly shopping.

fresh fruit and vegetables - no need to read the labels herefresh fish, beware if it's breadedunsalted butter, cream, and free-range eggsrice, sunflower seeds, flax, rice flour, chickpeas and corn flourmany cheeses, yoghurt, cottage cheese and milk

There are now many items on the shelves at all the main supermarkets aimed at people with gluten intolerance, if you are a busy person without any time to make your own bread you may find it fairly tasteless. Bread makers are great, you will have your money back within a short time, as gluten-free bread is very expensive to buy too.

A good tip is to check on-line if you have been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease as there is help available in the United Kingdom to subsidise some of your weekly shop.

There are many symptoms relating to wheat intolerance, our daughter's was highlighted due to anaemia, but if you have ongoing fatigue or depression it may be worth while talking to your doctor about it. Other symptoms may well be diarrhea, weight loss or mouth ulcers, it's always better to have these things looked at by a doctor, rather than diagnosing yourself via the internet.

We offer advice and some recipe suggestions for vegetarians on our veggie blogger site.

Susan Henderson http://www.veggieblogger.com/

For inspiration ideas for all the family please have a look at her website: http://www.veggieblogger.com/ food glorious food.