HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Getting help for coeliac disease
A gluten-free diet for coeliac disease is a lifelong diet. With it, you'll need to avoid all foods that contain gluten. Even tiny amounts of gluten, such as a pea-size piece of wheat bread, is enough to damage your small bowel.
To start with, following a gluten-free diet can be overwhelming. It's harder if you don’t have the right information and support. A dietitian can help get you started. They can make sure you have the right information to follow a healthy gluten-free diet.
At an appointment with the dietitian you would expect to discuss and cover:
- foods that contain gluten, including hidden sources of gluten and cross-contamination
- alternative gluten-free foods, including advice on eating out and travel
- gluten-free foods on prescription – what's available and how to get repeat prescriptions
- how to read labels so you know if a food contains gluten
- gluten-free recipes, including information on how to adapt recipes that include gluten
- how to make sure you get all the nutrients you need on a gluten-free diet
- dietary advice about any related conditions you might have. These might include diabetes, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome and heart disease.
If you're newly diagnosed with coeliac disease, your specialist will refer you to a dietitian at Te Nikau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre.
You may also choose to see a private dietitian.
On the next page: Gluten-free diet for coeliac disease
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed August 2020.
SourcesReview key: HICOA-25716
