Coeliac Disease

by Tracey Weston

Oh how I hate that bloated feeling!
Wind, tummy cramps and diarrhoea
My pooh can be pale and smelly
At times the pain can be quite severe.

My gut is sensitive to gluten
It occurs in many foods that we eat
Bread; pasta and cakes are all culprits
I have to avoid barley,rye and wheat.

The small intestine is called the 'gut'
Its where all our food is absorbed
With Coeliac the gut won't accept gluten
Inflamed it won't work of its own accord.

If young; it can stunt your growth
You may feel tired and lose weight too
Cos the body can't absorb all the vitamins
As a normal gut would usually do.

But hey! Let's just wait a minute ...
Make sure we get our facts right
These symptoms will only happen to you
When gluten is part of your diet.

Medical tests can confirm the disease
A referral will be made to a dietician
You'll be given a list of foods you can eat
There's 'gluten free' bread on prescription!

To keep yourself feeling healthy
You won't need a miracle cure
All you have to do is avoid gluten
You'll find it isn't much to endure.

It may seem a nuisance at first
To check the labels on everything you eat
You can eat healthily and enjoy tasty meals
Lots of foods that you can have as a treat.

It just takes a little time to learn
To adjust to your new eating lifestyle
But to feel well and not have a yucky tummy
Definitely makes it worthwhile.