Treatment Overview 

Currently, the only treatment for Celiac Disease to follow a strict gluten-free diet. This involves eliminating any food or beverage that contains gluten. Symptoms can improve in as little as weeks after following a gluten-free diet.

In addition to following a gluten-free diet, there are other treatment options you should consider if you're living with Celiac Disease or a gluten intolerance. These treatment options include working with a Celiac Disease Specialist, such as a registered dietitian, nutritional supplements, lifestyle changes including stress management, exercise, and medications for celiac disease such as crticosteroids or biological therpaies and surgical procedures. 

Celiac Disease Treatment Options Include: 
1.  Following a Gluten Free Diet 

2. Work with a Celiac Disease Specialist 

3. Try a Nutrition Program tailored to Celiac Disease

5 Tips for Following a Gluten-Free Diet 

Following a gluten-free diet can be challenging. Working with a dietitian can help make this adjustment easier. Gluten is predominantly found in wheat, rye and barley which can be found in many food products. Some foods to look out for include breads, cereals, baked goods or desserts, pasta, crackers, packaged snacks, some beverages such as beer or malted beverages, condiments, and oats (unless labeled GF). It is important to read ingredient labels and look for keywords for gluten-containing foods or look for the “GF” label on any packaged item. A dietitian can help you navigate reading food labels, grocery shopping, what to look out for when you're going out to eat and more.

Read more about foods to eat and avoid with Celiac disease here. 

1. Educate yourself: Learn about the different foods and ingredients that contain gluten and those that are gluten-free. This will help you to make informed choices when grocery shopping or eating out.

2. Read food labels: Always read the labels of packaged foods to ensure that they do not contain gluten or any gluten-containing ingredients. The ingredients list will help you to determine if a product is safe for your diet.

3. Plan ahead: If you are going to a restaurant or social event, plan ahead and call ahead to ask if there are gluten-free options. If you are traveling, pack gluten-free snacks or research gluten-free restaurants in advance.

4. Cook your own meals: Cooking your own meals from scratch can make it easier to follow a gluten-free diet. This way, you can control what goes into your food and ensure that no gluten-containing ingredients are used.

5. Be cautious of cross-contamination: It is important to avoid cross-contamination of gluten-containing foods and gluten-free foods. Use separate utensils, kitchen appliances, and cooking surfaces to avoid cross-contamination at home. When dining out, ask for your food to be cooked separately from gluten-containing foods.

Find a Celiac Disease Specialist

Finding a Celiac Disease specialist is crucial to proper diagnosis and treatment. These specialists can include gastroenterologists, dietitians, and allergists. A patient should work with a specialist who has experience in treating Celiac Disease. The patient can begin their search by asking their primary care physician to recommend a specialist. Many Celiac Disease organizations and associations readily provide directories of specialists.

A primary care provider can help with diagnosis, treatment and referral to a Gastroenterologist. Gastroenterologist is a medical specialist in gastrointestinal diseases, such as celiac disease, who can assist with the diagnosis and management of celiac disease. 

2. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

A registered dietitian nutritionist is clinically trained to treat any medical condition with nutrition, including Celiac disease. Working with a Foodsmart registered dietitian can help ease the transition to a gluten-free lifestyle. Your personal dietitian can help guide your food choices and offer product recommendations, recipes, and meal plans to heal your digestive system and alleviate symptoms triggered by gluten intolerance. Meet with a registered dietitian today.

Working with a Dietitian

Working with a registered dietitian can make the transition to a gluten free lifestyle an easy process.  Your dietitian can help guide you on food choices, product recommendations, recipes and meal plans, as well as methods to heal your digestive system and calm any gluten-related health implications.  Book your appointment today and find yourself a step closer to digestive peace, better nutrition, and a healthier you!

Where do I find a dietitian specialized in treating Celiac Disease? 

Foodsmart offers one-on-one nutrition counseling with registered dietitians. You can work with registered dietitians that are specifically trained in treating Celiac Disease or gluten allergies and intolerances. The best part about working with a Foodsmart dietitian is that Foodsmart works with health insurance plans nationwide, so you can meet with a dietitian for as low as $0. All appointments are virtual, so you can enjoy nutrition counseling from the comfort of your home. Follow the link to book your appointment. 

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Celiac Disease Treatment: Free 7 Day Meal Plan 

For more meal plan ideas and recipes, check out a free 7 Day Meal Plan for Celiac Disease or following a gluten-free diet, customized by one of Foodsmart's Registered Dietitians.