The Non-Negotiable: Strict, Lifelong Gluten-Free
- Remove wheat, barley, rye, and hybrids (spelt, kamut, triticale); avoid malt/malt extract (barley-derived).
- Oats: Choose only certified gluten-free oats; introduce cautiously after symptom control and with clinician guidance.
Naturally GF staples:
- Whole foods: Vegetables, fruits, eggs, poultry, fish, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy (if tolerated), gluten-free grains (rice, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, sorghum, amaranth), tubers.
- Flours: Rice, almond, coconut, buckwheat, sorghum, tapioca, potato starch.
Cross-Contamination Guardrails
Home:
- Separate toaster/cutting boards/colanders; dedicated condiments (no double-dipping crumbs).
- Meticulous sponge/towel hygiene; flour dust lingers for 24–48 hours—avoid shared baking areas when gluten flour is used.
Dining out:
- Communicate medical celiac diagnosis; ask about dedicated fryers, separate pans/utensils, and GF sauces.
- Avoid high-risk items (shared fryers, “gluten-removed” beer).
- Prefer simple grilled proteins with plain veg and rice/potatoes; verify marinades/soups/sauces.
Products and hidden sources:
- Check labels for malt, brewer’s yeast, modified food starch (country-dependent), soy sauce (unless GF/tamari), surimi, seitan, some candies/soup bases.
- Non-food: Medications, vitamins, lip balms—to verify with pharmacist/manufacturer.
Healing & Monitoring Timeline
- Symptom improvement: Often within weeks on strict GF.
- Intestinal healing: Children 6–12 months; adults commonly 1–2 years; some need longer.
- Follow-up:
- Serology (tTG-IgA +/- DGP) at 6–12 months and annually.
- Nutrient repletion: Check iron/ferritin, folate, B12, vitamin D, zinc; manage deficiencies.
- Bone health: Baseline and follow-up DXA in adults, if indicated.
- Vaccines: Pneumococcal recommended in hyposplenia; ensure standard schedules.
- Refractory symptoms: Evaluate for lactose/fructose intolerance, SIBO, microscopic colitis, pancreatic insufficiency, or inadvertent gluten.
Smart GF Pattern (Beyond “Junk GF”)
- Emphasize minimally processed GF whole foods; limit ultra-processed GF snacks/breads.
- Protein with each meal; plenty of produce; healthy fats; fiber from legumes (if tolerated), seeds (chia/flax), GF whole grains.
- If dairy sensitive early on, use lactose-free/yogurt/kefir; reassess as villi heal.
How GutFeel.AI Can Help
- Personalizes a low-FODMAP reset with portion guidance and reintroduction scheduling.
- Tracks symptoms, stool form, mood, and meals to identify trigger patterns.
- Flags potential SIBO/IMO, bile acid issues, and celiac-risk prompts (for appropriate testing).
- Provides GF dining checklists and cross-contamination safeguards.