I’ve never heard of it before! What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.

→ Read: Understanding coeliac disease

But I thought gluten was in wheat, rye and barley? Can I eat oats?

Oats contain a protein called avenin, which is similar to gluten. Current studies show that 1 in 10 people with coeliac disease react to this protein.

Because of this risk, oats are not permitted in foods labelled gluten free in Australia.

The only way to know if you personally tolerate oats is through a medically supervised oat challenge over a period of approximately 6 months that involves multiple upper endoscopies, with biopsies taken by a gastroenterologist.

There are many alternatives to oats that can be substituted into most recipes.

→ Read: Shopping gluten free in Australia

But seriously though, how much gluten can actually do damage? Seems a bit over the top.

Alright, imagine a slice of bread, now slice that in half, and half again, and again… keep on slicing until you have 100 pieces of that slice of bread. Grab a piece (which is more like a crumb), that is how much gluten can make somebody who has coeliac disease sick and damage their insides. Small, isn’t it!

→ Read: Everyday gluten free living

My sister is adamant that she couldn’t possibly have coeliac disease. So should my family members get tested too?

Absolutely! Even if they are not showing the same type of symptoms as you did, it doesn’t mean that they don’t have it. Coeliac disease has a strong genetic component, which means close family members have a higher risk (1 in 10 chance) of developing the condition.

Parents, siblings and children of someone with coeliac disease may be advised to have screening blood tests, even if they do not have symptoms.

→ Read: Genetics and what triggers coeliac disease

I read online that I shouldn’t use shampoos or lipsticks that have gluten in them. So what about my bathroom products, do I need to change anything there too?

Gluten must be ingested to cause harm to somebody who has coeliac disease. So long as you don’t snack on a couple of tubes of lipstick or a bottle of moisturiser each day (which I totally do not recommend regardless of the gluten content 😉) then you’ll be ok. If you take a close look you’ll find that gluten is rare in these products anyway.

However, if you are reacting to topical products like these you should seek advice from a medical professional, as this is a separate additional concern to coeliac disease.

→ Read: Everyday gluten free living

But it says wheat in the description? Doesn’t that mean it’s not safe?

Yes you can have wheat glucose syrup! Glucose syrup from wheat is so highly processed that there is no gluten protein left in it! Other safe ingredients which are highly processed are:

• Dextrose derived from wheat
• Glucose or glucose syrup derived from wheat
• Caramel colour (150) derived from wheat
• Wheat starch that is specifically labelled gluten free

→ Read: Shopping gluten free in Australia

I’m coeliac, what alcohol is gluten free? What can I drink when I go out with my friends?

The only alcohol that you need to avoid if you are coeliac is beer, as it is made from barley, as well as cocktails with random food ingredients in them. Beers that claim ‘low gluten’ are not safe to drink, regardless of whether you get visible symptoms or not.

But good news – there are more and more gluten free beers available every day. All spirits, wines, ciders, liqueurs and other alcohols are gluten free.

→ Read: Everyday gluten free living

Why are labels so different on my medications?

Medicines and supplements are regulated differently from food, which means gluten labelling may look different.

If gluten is present it may appear as wheat starch, wheat-derived ingredients, or other ingredients.

When in doubt, ask a pharmacist or the manufacturer to confirm.

→ Read: Gluten in medicines and supplements