For those afflicted with CD, it is essential to maintain a gluten-free diet. This is extremely challenging (as I’m sure Craig and the other 2 million people with CD in the U.S. are well aware) because gluten is present in so many foods, including most grains, pasta, cereals, and processed foods.

The good news: it is possible for people with CD to consume a varied, well-balanced diet! Click the CitySlim Supermarket Shopper Icon on the left for a ready-to-order, special selection of gluten-free, dairy-free, and wheat-free products, such as breakfast cereals, pastas, cookies, salad dressings, and more! Breads and pastas that are acceptable for people with CD can be made with potato, rice, soy, corn, or bean flour.

Brand New! CitySlim Store for People with Celiac's!

Recommendations and Words of Caution*:

1. Avoid any and all foods with gluten, barley, oats, rye, or wheat.
2. Buy rice and corn substitutes for your favorite carbs, like pasta and other gluten-free products.
3. Read all labels carefully. Watch for “hidden” sources of gluten, including: hydrolyzed vegetable protein, textured vegetable protein, hydrolyzed plant protein and all grain derivatives, such as malt, modified food starch, some soy sauces, grain vinegars, binders, fillers, inert substances and “natural flavorings.”
4. Avoid hot dogs, gravies, luncheon meat, beer, mustard, catsup, nondairy creamer, white vinegar, curry powder, or seasonings.
5. Eat fresh vegetables, legumes (ie, lentils, beans, and peas), rice brain, cuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, figs, and “seedy” fruits (ie, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries).
6. Include in your diet blackstrap molasses, which is high in iron and the B vitamins. (People with CD need fiber and foods rich in iron and the B vitamins.)
7. CD causes vitamin K deficiency, which can lead to hypoprothrombinemia (or lack of blood clotting factors).
8. Chew your food thoroughly before swallowing to improve intake of nutrients.
9. Avoid sugary products, processed foods, dairy products, bouillon cubes, chocolate, and bottled salad dressings, unless specifically gluten-free.
10. Several studies suggest that people with CD can safely eat oats, but since oats are frequently processed with other grains, it is difficult to determine whether oats are completely gluten-free.[iv] Follow your physician’s/dietician’s advice about including oats in a gluten-free diet.
11. Secondary lactose deficiency often occurs with CD, so it may be necessary to remove milk and milk products from the diet.
12. Factors that may trigger the onset of CD later on in life are emotional stress, physical trauma, a viral infection, preg, or surgery.[v]
13. Restore your vitamin K by adding “friendly” vitamin K-producing flora that colonize your intestines. You can replace your vitamin K by: taking acidophilus supplements or Kyo-Dophilus, a dairy- and yeast-free probiotic formula to replace good bacteria. Available here. You can also:
14. Eat yogurt with live and active cultures or
15. Eat certain vitamin K-rich foods, such as leafy greens, alfalfa, tomatoes, strawberries and whole grains
16. 
    

Recommended Supplements*

1. CD causes malabsorption of the B vitamins and the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) so take these nutrients, but read labels to ensure supplements are hypoallergenic, wheat- and yeast-free.
2. Multivitamin and mineral complex with vitamin A, mixed carotenoids, and vitamin E
3. Vitamin B-complex
4. Vitamin K
5. Essential fatty acids (Kyolic-EPA from Wakunaga, flaxseed oil, or primrose oil.)
6. Free-form amino acid complex (to supply protein in form readily available for use by body)
7. Glutathione (needed for repair of the intestinal tract)
8. Acidophilus (To replace friendly bacteria) or Kyo-Dophilus from Wakunaga (a dairy- and yeast-free probiotic formula)
9. N-acetylglucosamine (N-A-G from Source Naturals): forms the basis of complex molecular structures of the mucous membranes of the intestinal lining. Available here.
10. Zinc: needed for immunity and healing (take with copper to balance)
11. Herbs: Alfalfa supplies vitamin K (2000-3000 mg in tablet form, daily). Olive leaf extraction and/or goldenseal to keep infection down (no not take goldenseal on a daily basis for more than one week at a time. Use only under a doctor’s supervision.)

Ok, you got all that down? Hope this helps!

Oh, and one more thing: A Gluten-Free Valentine's Day Gift Basket! (Sorry guys, couldn't resist!)