How to Know if a Gluten‐Free Diet Is Right for You
See your doctor if you have digestive problems., See a specialist for a diagnosis., Adopt a gluten-free diet if you have Celiac disease., Go gluten-free if you have a diagnosed wheat allergy., Budget for a dietitian.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: See your doctor if you have digestive problems.
If you have stomach problems – diarrhea, nausea, bloating, gas, or frequent stomachache – see your doctor.
They will do a physical exam and discuss your health history, and possibly perform tests to see if you have an ailment that would be helped by a gluten-free diet.Your doctor can do a blood test to check for Celiac disease. -
Step 2: See a specialist for a diagnosis.
If a blood test doesn’t diagnose your problem, ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist.
Consult with an allergist to determine if you have a wheat allergy.See a specialist called a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy or biopsy of your small intestine to diagnose Celiac or other diseases., Only 1 in 133 people, or
0.75% of the population, have Celiac disease.If you are diagnosed, you must adopt a strict gluten-free diet.
Gluten causes illness and long-term medical problems for people with Celiac disease., If eating gluten gives you mild stomach problems, you might have a wheat allergy.
This occurs in about
0.4% of the population.
Keep gluten out of your diet to improve your symptoms.Though it’s not the same thing as an allergy, gluten-sensitivity can also be improved by adopting a gluten-free diet. , If you do go gluten-free, you need to work with a dietitian to make sure you’re getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need.If this isn’t something you can afford or make time for, consider opting for a less challenging diet option.
Anyone giving you advice about your gluten-free diet should be a “registered dietitian” and have “R.D.” after their name. -
Step 3: Adopt a gluten-free diet if you have Celiac disease.
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Step 4: Go gluten-free if you have a diagnosed wheat allergy.
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Step 5: Budget for a dietitian.
Detailed Guide
If you have stomach problems – diarrhea, nausea, bloating, gas, or frequent stomachache – see your doctor.
They will do a physical exam and discuss your health history, and possibly perform tests to see if you have an ailment that would be helped by a gluten-free diet.Your doctor can do a blood test to check for Celiac disease.
If a blood test doesn’t diagnose your problem, ask your doctor for a referral to a specialist.
Consult with an allergist to determine if you have a wheat allergy.See a specialist called a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy or biopsy of your small intestine to diagnose Celiac or other diseases., Only 1 in 133 people, or
0.75% of the population, have Celiac disease.If you are diagnosed, you must adopt a strict gluten-free diet.
Gluten causes illness and long-term medical problems for people with Celiac disease., If eating gluten gives you mild stomach problems, you might have a wheat allergy.
This occurs in about
0.4% of the population.
Keep gluten out of your diet to improve your symptoms.Though it’s not the same thing as an allergy, gluten-sensitivity can also be improved by adopting a gluten-free diet. , If you do go gluten-free, you need to work with a dietitian to make sure you’re getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need.If this isn’t something you can afford or make time for, consider opting for a less challenging diet option.
Anyone giving you advice about your gluten-free diet should be a “registered dietitian” and have “R.D.” after their name.
About the Author
Danielle Turner
A passionate writer with expertise in practical skills topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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