What exactly is this condition? In medical terms celiac disease is also called gluten-sensitive enteropathy, or non-tropical sprue. Simply put, it is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy.
This damage is due to a reaction to eating gluten or gliadin, which is found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. Gliadin is a protein present in wheat and its products. Gluten, the elastic protein in wheat is the prime cause of wheat allergy. The soluble protein in gluten causes an IgE reaction, which is responsible for the food allergy. Usually the disease is prevalent inn children though adults may also suffer from it. The most common symptoms in children 6 months to 3 years of age are diarrhoea, vomiting, a bloated abdomen, and stools that are abnormal in appearance, odour and quantity.
While celiac disease cannot really be cured, it is possible to control the symptoms. It’s simple really - the villi in the lining of the intestines will heal if you follow a lifelong gluten-free diet. So, do not eat foods, beverages, and medications that contain wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. Read food and medication labels carefully to look for hidden sources of these grains and other related ingredients. Don’t indulge in gluten containing diets even occasionally; the gluten restriction is lifelong! Be especially careful while eating meals outside.
Indian foods not allowed for celiac disease
- Whole wheat flour and its product such as rawa, broken wheat and maida
- Rye
- Barley
- Oats
- Noodles and Pastas
- Bread, bread rolls, Pizzas, breadcrumbs, bread sticks, ladi pav
- Biscuits
- Kulcha, naan, Rotis, Parathas, poori, etc.
Indian foods allowed for celiac disease
Wheat flour is a major feature of Indian cooking, and many mothers of gluten intolerant children face a problem when it comes to making rotis. Here are a couple of recipes that use alternatives to wheat flour.
1. Rice and its products like rice flour, poha, puffed rice, rice noodles etc. : Rice flour chakli, this tempting South Indian version of chakli is made using rice flour enhanced with sesame seeds and cumin seeds (optional). Keep the snack handy for between-meals hunger pangs!
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2. Maize flour : This makai dhokla features corn inside-out! While the batter itself is made of maize flour perked up with curds and lemon juice for tanginess and other masalas for spice, the highlight of this Gujarati makai na dhokla is the addition of crushed sweet corn kernels to the batter, which gives a nice, juicy texture and mild sweetness to the dhoklas.
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3. Soya flour : Soya flour, ragi flour and jowar flour combine to make these mildly spiced three grain paratha. These flours are not only gluten free but also a good source of iron, calcium, fibre and protein.
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4. Ragi Flour : A hearty ragi roti is sure to remind you of home. The gluten free ragi roti has a rustic flavour and earthy aroma, which warm your soul and make you feel very contented.
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5. Bajra flour : Khakhras are usually made with wheat flour used alone or in combination with other flours. These bajra methi rice flour khakhra embellished with methi are an interesting gluten free alternative like bajra flour and rice flour.
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6. Jowar flour : Iron-rich jowar and bajra flours replace gluten rich maida in this gluten-free bhakri pizza recipe, which are then topped with a traditional tomato-based sauce. Let your kids help to assemble the gluten free Indian pizza to add to their enjoyment.
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7. Sago : Thalipeeth, a sumptuous, traditional Maharashtrian snack, is made in a faral-friendly way in this recipe. We have used a dough of sabudana and mashed potatoes perked up with peanuts, green chillies and other flavour-givers to make upvas thalipeeth.
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8. Buckwheat : Buckwheat dosa known as kuttu dosa is an instant buckwheat dosa which requires no fermentation. Here is an easy and healthy Indian buckwheat crepes prepared with buckwheat and urad dal. The twist here is that the ingredients are powdered, tempered and then mixed into a batter, which can be cooked immediately into yummy buckwheat dosas.
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9. All pulses and dals : No wheat flour and no maida based pancakes are perfect for gluten intolerance. This gluten free chana dal pancake recipe makes use of soaked chana dal which is ground to a coarse paste. This is what gives a unique texture to these pancakes.
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10. All freshly cooked vegetables : The pumpkin paratha is a rare treat, which is amazingly stomach-friendly. Not only is it made with alkaline flours like bajra flour and jowar flour, but it also includes a good dose of grated pumpkin, which is alkaline too.
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11. All fresh fruits : This sweet and delicious raita makes use of curds-which is a powerhouse of calcium along with fibre rich fruits. This easy mixed fruit raita will ensure that you stock up on calcium through tasty means!
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12. Dairy products like paneer, cheese and curds : Paneer kheer is a wholesome sweet recipe, elegantly laced with the sweet flavour of cardamom and topped with mixed nuts for added crunch. Garnishing with nuts reinforces the kheer with more protein and other nutrients too, making this a wonderful snack or dessert for growing kids and adults with celiac disease.
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