So What's the Cure?

There's no magic pill. A gluten-free diet is not only the medicine, it is the cure.

It's probably a smart decision to get tested for gluten response before going on a gluten-free diet, as it may be more difficult for your doctor to diagnose once your body has begun adjusting to the absence of gluten.

What Is a Gluten-Free Diet Like?

I think most of us would be surprised to find that the kitchen a person with celiac disease looks a lot like everybody else's. There might be a couple of refined, processed, packaged foods missing—and these probably shouldn't be there anyway (don't worry, I won't tell)!

A gluten-free diet still allows you access to almost every fruit and vegetable, a variety of grains and legumes, your pick of dairy products, fresh meats and fish and a whole slew of special gluten-free delights to satisfy your pretzel-bagel-muffin-doughnut craving. In fact, now might be the best time, if there is such a thing, to eliminate gluten from your diet. A rise in public awareness and demand have brought about a plethora of companies wholly dedicated to making your gluten-free life delicious (Arrowhead, Glutino and Mary's Gone Crackers are some of my favorites). Whether in your local grocery store or at your favorite online purveyor, there is now a substitute for almost every gluten-laden delicacy.

The newly diagnosed patient