10 fun coeliac-friendly meals to manage gluten intolerance

Coeliac disease is a condition which means the body cannot process gluten, causing health issues and discomfort. People with this condition need to eat a strict gluten free diet to remain healthy. Luckily, we have compiled ten easy and fun recipes you can make for your loved one with coeliac disease! 

What is coeliac disease?

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the way a person can process gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. In people with coeliac disease, the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten, causing symptoms such as stomach ache, bloating, nausea and cramps. Eating gluten causes a person with coeliac disease damage to their bowel, resulting in serious health problems. 

Coeliac disease affects approximately one in 70 Australians, and it can develop at any age. The condition affects men and women equally. 

Symptoms of coeliac disease

Coeliac disease often goes undiagnosed due to the similarity in symptoms with many other conditions. Additionally, coeliac disease was not well known until recent years. However, as awareness grows about the condition, more people are recognising symptoms and getting a diagnosis.

Some of the common symptoms of coeliac disease include:

• Anaemia
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Fatigue or lethargy
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Stomach cramps and pain
• Vomiting.

How is coeliac disease diagnosed?

Diagnosing coeliac disease can be difficult and it is believed many Australians don’t realise they have the condition. Additionally, many people are diagnosed in older age after years of living with discomfort. 

Risk factors for coeliac disease

You must be born with the genetic predisposition to develop coeliac disease. In Australia, around half of the population has this genetic predisposition. However, this doesn’t mean they will develop the disease – only about one in 40 people who carry one or both of the ‘coeliac genes’ (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8) have the condition. 

Environmental factors are also believed to trigger the onset of the disease, but it is not understood how this happens or what can be done to prevent it. 

If you have family members with coeliac disease, it is recommended that you get tested for the condition.

Some of the other conditions that commonly occur in people with coeliac disease include:

• Auto immune conditions, such as thyroid condition
• Early onset osteoporosis
• Raised liver enzymes
• Dental enamel defects
• Down’s Syndrome
• Turner Syndrome.

Diagnosis of coeliac disease

Coeliac disease can only be confirmed with a biopsy on cells in the small intestine. Diagnosis of the condition should only be done by a gastroenterologist. Prior to this, your GP may order blood tests which will screen for certain antibodies that can indicate coeliac disease.

If you are referred to a gastroenterologist, they will confirm your diagnosis by performing a gastroscopy. This procedure involves a slender instrument called an endoscope being passed through your mouth into your small intestine while you are under sedation. Tiny samples will be taken from your small intestine to test for coeliac disease.

Some people suspect they may have coeliac disease and will begin following a gluten-free diet ahead of receiving a diagnosis. It is important that you wait for a confirmed diagnosis before making changes to your meals, as the tests will not accurately show the condition if you have not been eating gluten beforehand. 

How does coeliac disease affect the elderly?

Clinical diagnosis of coeliac disease in the elderly can be quite challenging. This is attributed to a range of factors, including more subtle symptoms, less awareness of the condition in the older population, and changes in bowel habits being attributed to getting older rather than a disease. A 2005 survey of elderly coeliac patients showed that a substantial number of patients were incorrectly diagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome many years before their coeliac disease was diagnosed, leading to an average delay of 17 years in the diagnosis.

Coeliac disease affects older people in similar ways to the rest of the population. However, due to the frequency of co-morbidities in elderly people, the symptoms of coeliac disease can be far more uncomfortable and potentially dangerous. For example, if an older person is suffering from frequent diarrhoea, they can become dehydrated and malnourished far more quickly than a healthy younger person. This can lead to more problems.

How is coeliac disease treated?

There is no cure for coeliac disease, but the condition can be well managed by maintaining a strict gluten free diet. Even if you have remained undiagnosed for many years and have damage to your small intestine, switching to a gluten free diet can cause the body to heal and improve your overall wellbeing. 

Foods that contain gluten that need to be avoided or switched to a gluten-free substitute include:

• Bread
• Cereal
• Pasta
• Pastry
• Cake
• Battered or crumbed foods
• Couscous
• Semolina
• Wheat-based noodles
• Biscuits.

People who are following a gluten free diet should always check the packaging of food for information on whether it contains gluten. Often, foods that you wouldn’t expect to have gluten in them can use gluten as a stabiliser. 

If you’re unsure about whether a certain food contains gluten or you are looking for a simple chart of gluten free things to eat, you can find one here.

10 fun coeliac meals you can make with your loved one 

1. Gluten Free Pasta

If you love pasta and don’t want to miss out on your favourite dish, why not try an easy gluten free pasta! This recipe doesn’t require a pasta maker (although you can use one if you want to) and pairs perfectly with all your favourite pasta sauces. Pasta is a great source of energy and fibre. 

Simply mix together gluten-free flour, salt, eggs and some xanthan gum to hold it all together and replace the elasticity of gluten. It only takes thirty minutes to make, and you can enjoy your pasta fresh, or keep it in an airtight container for up to two weeks. 

View the recipe.

2. Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken in a delicious marinade is a healthy and tasty dinner option any night of the week! This simple recipe uses a marinade of garlic, herbs and balsamic vinegar for a big flavour hit, without a lot of effort. Plus, there’s just 190 calories per serve. 

It takes about 10 minutes to prepare the marinade and chicken, but we recommend leaving it marinating for longer for a deeper flavour. Once you have your chicken on the grill, it will be ready in just 15 minutes! 

View the recipe.

3. Twice Baked Potato

Getting a good intake of carbohydrates can be tricky for people on a gluten free diet who can’t enjoy bread and pasta. But potatoes offer these important nutrients and are naturally gluten free! 

This yummy recipe requires just potatoes, butter, milk, sour cream and shredded cheese for a tasty lunch. You can try different toppings and get creative with this simple dish. Prepping your potato is easy, and then you just need to bake once for an hour, scoop out the middle and fill, and bake for a further 15 minutes.

View the recipe.

4. Oven Baked Pork Chops

Pork chops can be quite a rich meal, but they are delicious as a treat! This easy recipe bakes them in the oven with simple seasoning for a flavoursome meal ready in just 40 minutes. Combine butter, rosemary and garlic for a tasty butter to brush over the chops as you’re baking them. This will give you a yummy final dish that pairs perfectly with steamed veggies and other sides. Cuts of meat such as pork contain no gluten and it’s easy to create a sauce or marinade that also avoids any gluten ingredients. 

View the recipe.

5. Eggplant Lasagna

If you love lasagna but you want to avoid the gluten of regular pasta and the heavy carbohydrates of a gluten-free substitute, you will be thrilled by this healthy eggplant lasagna. It uses slices of eggplant instead of pasta sheets for a filling dinner that is full of essential nutrients.

You can make the eggplant lasagna in much the same way as a regular one, layering in as many yummy vegetables as you would like. A cheesy golden top makes this especially tasty! Making eggplant lasagna takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

View the recipe.

6. Grilled Salmon

Grilled salmon is a healthy and nutritious meal option that is naturally gluten free and is rich in omega-3, protein, vitamins and nutrients. Cooking salmon on the grill is also a healthier option than pan frying, as you won’t need much butter or oil to avoid sticking. 

This delicious recipe includes a tasty and zingy lime dressing with honey, garlic and coriander. It takes just twenty-five minutes to grill the salmon, prepare the sauce and serve.

View the recipe.

7. Chicken Casserole

This healthy casserole contains about 400 calories per serving and is full of yummy vegetables and superfood extras like cranberries and nuts. It combines boneless and skinless chicken breasts with sweet potato, brussels sprouts and cooked wild rice for a gluten free, hearty meal that is big on flavour!

You can substitute the almonds and cranberries with other additions of your choice. The dish takes an hour to make, with only 20 minutes of preparation time. Plus, it keeps well and is perfect to enjoy that night for dinner and for lunches the next few days! 

View the recipe.

8. Brussels Sprout Bake

Brussels sprouts are famous for being a healthy food option, but the taste doesn’t suit everyone! However, this cheesy and smoky dish is full of flavour that will make even people who never eat brussels sprouts want to try a mouthful. 

The sprouts are topped with cream, cheese, shallots and bacon for a delicious dish that fills you up and provides plenty of nutritional value. The meal is 320 calories per serving, including 13 grams of protein. It takes just 15 minutes to prepare and another 20 minutes to cook, for a quick meal you can whip up any day of the week. 

View the recipe.

9. Iceburgers

Hamburgers are a treat, but they are full of fat, salt and unfortunately, gluten! If you’re looking for a burger substitute that doesn’t include bread, this ‘iceburger’ is a clever idea. It uses thick slices of iceberg lettuce instead of a burger bun to hold your yummy meal together. The lettuce offers a refreshing crunch and makes this burger a healthy option!

Fill your burger with a ground beef patty, cheddar cheese and tomato. Bacon is an optional extra. It takes just 30 minutes to put these yummy burgers together, and they are low in carbohydrates and high in essential vitamins and nutrients. 

View the recipe.

10. Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

Cauliflower bake is a low-carb side dish that tastes as amazing as potato gratin, without the guilt! Cauliflower is gluten free and creates a delicious, filling meal. When smothered in delicious cheddar, parmesan and cream, it’s a rich treat that you can enjoy on its own or with other dishes.

Cauliflower bake is simple and quick to make – just boil your cauliflower until soft and bake in the oven with the other ingredients for 30 minutes. You can choose to add different seasoning for flavour.

View the recipe.

Homage Care Professionals can help your loved ones prepare coeliac-friendly meals! 

Did you know that Homage offer Domestic Assistance services? Helpful and compassionate Care Professionals can assist your loved one to make meals that are healthy and perfect for people with coeliac disease. If someone in your life has recently been diagnosed or is looking for support in making gluten-free dishes, you can find out more about Homage’s services.

Coeliac disease is a serious condition that requires careful management. However, by eating healthy gluten free meals, you can avoid uncomfortable symptoms and damage to your intestine.