Gluten is a protein in various kinds of grains.
It’s not easy to follow agluten-free dietthat also works for diabetes.
Both diets may feel really restrictive, limiting your food choices.
Photographer/Westend61
If you have celiac disease, eating foods with glutendamages your small intestine.
Those with both a gluten-related condition and diabetes need to control their blood sugarandkeep gluten out of their diets.
This can affect your blood sugar management and cause problems with your diabetes.
The good news is that learning to manage both conditions through your diet can improve your health.
But there’s no doubt that juggling the two diets at the same time is a challenge.
People with celiac disease execute the risk of damaging the small intestine whenever they eat gluten-filled foods.
And those who have non-celiac gluten sensitivity may experience the same symptoms a person with celiac disease experiences.
It’s important to carefully check the ingredients of any packaged products.
Always look for the words “gluten-free” when reading food labels.
The gluten-free label shows that a product doesn’t contain gluten.
If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it’s important to avoid them.
These grains are found in common foods like bread, pasta, cereal, pastries, and tortillas.
Fortunately, there are gluten-free grains that are good alternatives.
But you might get fiber through vegetables, which are also great for a diabetes diet.
Eating beans, seeds, and nuts will also help boost your fiber.
For example, instead of pasta, eat zucchini spirals.
Dietitians can help you identify the foods and drinks that are safe to include in your eating plan.
Managing Blood Sugar
If you have celiac disease, watch your blood sugar levels.
Celiac disease damages your small intestine, keeping your body from absorbing the food you eat.
This can temporarily affect your blood sugar, so pay closer attention toyour blood sugar levels.
Your diabetes test results may temporarily get worse.
As your body absorbs more nutrients, you may also gain weight and have a higher cholesterol level.
Talk to your doctor to learn how to manage your blood sugar while also following a gluten-free diet.
But there are some gluten-free foods you should think about avoiding.
Foods containing refined carbohydrates are unhealthy, even if they’re gluten-free.
Even though calorie counts are similar between gluten-containing and gluten-free products, gluten-free baked goods are higher in carbs.
That’s because manufacturers add sweeteners to make up for the missing gluten.
In fact, many products marketed as gluten-free are processed foods.
By now, most of us know that processed foods aren’t the healthiest choices.
make a run at eat whole, natural foods that will improve your health and nourish your body.
take a stab at stick with snacks that contain no more than 15 grams of carbs.
Always pack a gluten-free snack in case your blood sugar drops.
And when your blood sugar drops, you have a greater chance of accidentally eating something with gluten.
So gluten-free-labeled energy and protein bars are smart choices.
Gluten-free crackers and gluten-free meal supplement drinks can also help treat low blood sugar levels as well.
Consider setting up an appointment with a dietitian who has expertise in both diets.
They can help you with meal planning and verify your meals are nutritious and safe for you to eat.
Celiac Disease Foundation.What is gluten?.
Kupper C, Higgens LA.Combining diabetes and gluten-free dietary management guidelines.Practical Gastroenterology.
Celiac Disease Foundation.Diabetes and celiac disease.
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