Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide

Arlene Gryfe is a Toronto-based professional nutritionist and home
economist.

Shelley Case, a registered professional dietitian, has spent a large
part of her career advising those diagnosed with celiac disease or
dermatitis herpetaformis who must follow a strict gluten-free (GF) diet.
From her extensive knowledge and experience, she has produced a book
that provides practical facts about the diet, nutritional aspects, meal
planning, and resources.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune, genetically based, lifelong disorder
in which the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged by a
substance called gluten, resulting in a wide range of symptoms that vary
greatly from one person to another. Dermatitis herpetaformis (DH) is
another form of celiac disease. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, it is
essential to follow a strict GF diet for life. This means avoiding all
products containing wheat, rye, barley, and oats. While the presence of
gluten is evident in baked products such as breads and cookies, it can
also be hidden in items such as soups, sauces, seasonings, candy,
vitamins, and pharmaceuticals. Case provides lists of gluten-containing
items to avoid. Useful, too, is a section listing both the Canadian and
American Food Guides, with food groups divided into foods allowed, not
allowed, and questionable.

Diarrhea, vomiting, or malabsorptions are frequently associated with
celiac disease. Case’s book includes many informative charts listing
good food sources of various vitamins, minerals, and fibre, and methods
to ensure increased absorption of these substances. Also included are
daily meal planning hints, GF baking ideas, and suggestions for adapting
conventional recipes by using GF alternatives. For those wishing to bake
their own GF products, there are 24 recipes in the book. In addition,
there are hundreds of prepared products listed with the manufacturer’s
name, address, telephone, and/or fax number for direct ordering. Further
assistance can be found in suggested GF cookbooks, local foundations,
self-help groups, and related publications.

Gluten-Free Diet is suitable for patients, dietitians, physicians, food
providers, and others in need of accurate GF information.