Coeliac disease is about more than swapping your bread

The treatment for coeliac disease is strict, lifelong avoidance of gluten. The difficult part is often working out what that means beyond the obvious foods. Ingredients, food labels, shared kitchens, takeaway meals, work lunches and family cooking can all raise questions.

Know what is actually safe Learn how to check packaged foods, identify gluten-containing ingredients and make faster decisions when you shop.
Manage cross-contact Work out sensible kitchen routines without automatically replacing every plate, pan or utensil in your home.
Keep the diet nutritionally strong Gluten-free does not automatically mean nutritionally balanced. We help you rebuild meals around foods that provide fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals.
Think you may have coeliac disease but have not been diagnosed?

Speak with your GP before removing gluten from your diet. Starting a gluten-free diet before coeliac testing is complete can affect the reliability of the tests used to diagnose the condition.

How our coeliac disease dietitians can help

You do not need to learn everything about gluten in one appointment. We focus first on the changes that matter most, then build your knowledge and confidence over time.

Food labels and ingredients Learn a repeatable way to read labels so supermarket shopping becomes quicker and less stressful.
Setting up your kitchen Create practical routines for preparation, storage, spreads, appliances and shared family meals.
Balanced gluten-free meals Build meals around naturally gluten-free foods and suitable alternatives rather than relying only on specialised packaged products.
Eating away from home Plan what to ask at cafés, restaurants, takeaway outlets, workplaces and social events without making every meal feel overwhelming.
Children and family households Make gluten-free eating work within family meals, lunchboxes, school activities, parties and households where not everyone needs to avoid gluten.
Review ongoing symptoms If symptoms continue after going gluten free, we can review your food intake, fibre, meal pattern and possible dietary contributors alongside your medical care.

Gluten free does not have to mean a narrow diet

When someone is first diagnosed, attention naturally goes to everything they can no longer eat. We also spend time identifying the foods that are still available, then use those foods to rebuild familiar breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.

Naturally gluten-free foods Fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs, plain meat, poultry, fish and many dairy foods can form the base of everyday meals.
Gluten-free grains and starches Rice, corn, quinoa, buckwheat, millet and other suitable grains can help add variety instead of depending on one type of gluten-free bread or pasta.
Nutrition that lasts We look beyond whether a food is gluten free and consider fibre, iron, B vitamins, calcium, protein and overall dietary variety where relevant to you.
What might this look like in an appointment? Rather than handing you a long list of foods to avoid, we may work through your actual breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and find gluten-free replacements that suit your preferences, budget and routine.
  • Which bread or cereal options will give you enough fibre?
  • What can you keep eating without changing?
  • Which pantry products actually need replacing?
  • What can you order when you are away from home?
  • How can the rest of your household continue eating normally?

Making coeliac disease work in everyday life

Knowing the rules is one thing. Applying them when you are tired, busy, travelling, feeding children or eating with friends is another. This is where personalised dietetic support can make the biggest difference.

Shopping without checking everything three times We help you understand the label information that matters so you can make confident choices without turning every supermarket trip into a research project.
Restaurants, cafés and takeaway Learn which questions are useful, how to explain your requirements and how to make a reasonable decision when information is not immediately clear.
Sharing a kitchen Set up realistic systems for benches, preparation, storage and shared equipment so gluten-free food can be prepared safely without making your kitchen unworkable.
Work, school and travel Prepare for situations where you have less control over food, including work functions, school camps, holidays, flights and staying with family.

What to expect at your coeliac dietitian appointment

Your appointment is built around where you are now. Someone diagnosed last week needs different support from someone who has eaten gluten free for years but is still experiencing symptoms or struggling with food variety.

1 Understand your starting point We review your diagnosis, symptoms, relevant medical history, blood results where available, usual meals and the situations you are finding difficult.
2 Prioritise the important changes We work through food choices, labels, kitchen practices and nutrition rather than trying to change your whole life at once.
3 Build confidence over time Follow-up appointments can focus on questions that appear once you start putting the plan into practice at home and away from home.
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Accredited Practising Dietitians
Individual nutrition advice for coeliac disease and gluten-free eating.
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Practical rather than restrictive
We focus on making your gluten-free diet safe, varied and manageable.
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Australia-wide appointments
Access coeliac dietitian support by telehealth from anywhere in Australia.
Lived experience within our team

Coeliac care with personal understanding

Two of our dietitians, Caitlin and Millie, have been diagnosed with coeliac disease themselves. Alongside their professional dietetic training, they understand some of the day-to-day realities of following a strict gluten-free diet, from checking labels and managing shared kitchens to eating out, travelling and explaining your needs to other people.

That personal experience does not replace individualised dietetic care, but it can bring another layer of understanding to the practical questions that often come with living gluten free.

Meet Caitlin, Millie and our dietitian team →

Going gluten free does not always make every digestive symptom disappear immediately. If bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort or other symptoms continue, the next step should be considered carefully rather than simply removing more foods.

We can look at the wider picture Depending on your symptoms and medical history, we can review your gluten-free diet, fibre intake, meal pattern and other possible dietary contributors while encouraging appropriate medical follow-up where needed. For broader gastrointestinal nutrition support, visit our stomach and bowel dietitian page .

Coeliac disease dietitian FAQs

I think gluten is causing my symptoms. Should I stop eating it before testing?

It is important to speak with your GP before removing gluten if coeliac disease has not yet been ruled out. Coeliac testing is most reliable while you are still eating gluten. If you have already removed gluten, discuss the next steps with your doctor rather than restarting it on your own.

Do I need to avoid gluten even if I do not get symptoms?

Yes. With medically diagnosed coeliac disease, the gluten-free diet needs to remain strict even if accidental exposure does not cause obvious symptoms. Symptoms are not a reliable measure of whether gluten has affected the small bowel.

Is wheat-free food automatically gluten free?

No. A wheat-free product may still contain other gluten-containing grains or ingredients. We can teach you how to interpret Australian food labels and identify suitable products more confidently.

Do I need a completely separate kitchen?

Not necessarily. Many households safely prepare both gluten-containing and gluten-free food. Cleaning preparation areas, managing crumbs, separating foods where needed and using sensible preparation routines can reduce cross-contact risk. We can help you decide what is practical for your household.

Can someone with coeliac disease eat oats?

Oats need particular care in Australia. They cannot be labelled gluten free under Australian and New Zealand food standards. Some people with coeliac disease may tolerate specially produced oats that are protected from wheat, rye and barley contamination, while others may react to oat protein itself. Discuss oats with your medical team before introducing them.

Why am I still having stomach symptoms after going gluten free?

There can be several reasons. Your diet may still contain an unexpected source of gluten, your bowel may still be recovering, or another dietary or gastrointestinal issue may be contributing. Rather than cutting out more foods yourself, a dietitian can review your current diet and work alongside your GP or gastroenterologist where further investigation is needed.

Can you help if I was diagnosed years ago?

Yes. You may want to review food variety, nutritional adequacy, label reading, eating out, persistent symptoms or simply check whether the way you manage your gluten-free diet still suits your health and lifestyle.

Can I see a coeliac disease dietitian by telehealth?

Yes. Simply Nutrition Dietitians provides telehealth dietitian appointments Australia wide, as well as in-person appointments at selected Queensland locations.

Can I claim a dietitian appointment through Medicare or private health?

Medicare rebates may be available if your GP has prepared an eligible referral. Private health extras may also provide dietitian benefits depending on your individual policy.

Need help making gluten-free eating feel manageable?

Whether you have just been diagnosed or have been living with coeliac disease for years, our dietitians can help you build a safe, balanced and practical gluten-free diet that works in real life.

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