What to expect from nutrition counselling for coeliac disease

The session may review your diagnosis, symptoms, usual foods, eating environment and blood results if your care team has shared them. You can learn where gluten may occur, including wheat, barley and rye ingredients, and how to read labels, ask questions when eating out and reduce crumbs or shared utensils at home.

A counsellor can suggest naturally gluten-free foods and suitable alternatives, while checking fibre, iron, folate, calcium and other nutritional needs. They may also discuss changes for children, pregnancy, vegetarian diets or other allergies. Do not start a gluten-free diet before diagnostic testing unless your clinician tells you to, because it can affect assessment.

Bring food labels, a typical day of meals and details about shared kitchens or restaurant eating. Ask for a written shopping guide and simple meal ideas. Keep gluten-containing and gluten-free foods separated as advised, and check sauces, seasonings, processed foods and supplements rather than relying on appearance.

Use follow-up to review symptoms, adherence and blood-test monitoring. Nutrition counselling is a practical treatment resource for ongoing support.

Contact your clinician if diarrhoea, abdominal swelling, pain, vomiting, fatigue or weight change continues despite careful dietary changes. Seek urgent help for severe dehydration, fainting, vomiting blood, black stools or sudden severe abdominal pain. Persistent symptoms may reflect gluten exposure, another condition or a complication requiring assessment.

When should testing be repeated? How do I prevent cross-contact in my kitchen? Which supplements or fortified foods suit me? Do relatives need assessment? What follow-up checks do you recommend?