Question 1: What is gluten?
Gluten is a cereal protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. Gluten in food must be avoided
in any form or quantity. Some foods are obvious sources of gluten, for example, normal bread, cakes, pasta and breakfast cereals. Other foods contain less obvious gluten sources, such as wheat based thickeners in sauces or malt from barley in beer.

Question 2: How do I know which foods are gluten free? 
There are a wide range of foods that are naturally gluten free. This includes:

Processed foods are either:

Information is provided to members of The Coeliac Society to enable them to interpret food labels and choose a wide variety of gluten free products.

Question 3:  I feel much better on a gluten free diet so does this mean I have coeliac disease?
There are a number of reasons why you may feel better on a gluten free diet but this does not necessarily mean you have coeliac disease. If a gluten free diet is commenced before medical investigations are made coeliac disease cannot be diagnosed. Gluten must still be being eaten to diagnose coeliac disease. It is therefore strongly recommended that if you suspect you have coeliac disease, see your GP now.

Question 4: Is there a cure for coeliac disease?
There is currently no cure for coeliac disease. Coeliac disease and its symptoms are managed by adhering to a lifelong gluten free diet.

For information on research into coeliac disease see www.coeliacresearch.com

Question 5: Why do I need a doctor's letter?
Please see the attached PDF.