A dietary survey to determine if patients with coeliac disease are meeting current healthy eating guidelines and how their diet compares to that of the British general population

OBJECTIVES: To assess the dietary intake of people with coeliac disease (CD) and to determine if they are meeting the current dietary reference values (DRVs). To compare dietary intakes of people with CD to the dietary intake of the general population. The nutritional contribution of gluten-free products (GFPs) and current purchasing trends was also evaluated.

SUBJECTS/METHODS: 106 patients were invited to participate via post. Three-day food diary to assess intake and a short simple questionnaire that looked at purchasing trends of GFP.

RESULTS: Forty-nine patients returned the food diary and 48 returned the questionnaire. Patients were found to have a low intake of energy, non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), vitamin D and calcium. They were obtaining a significantly lower proportion of energy from fat and a significantly higher proportion of energy from protein than the DRVs (P<0.05). Intake was comparable to the general population for most nutrients, except they had a significantly greater intake of protein, a lower intake of fat and a significantly lower intake of vitamin D (P<0.05). Specialist GFP, especially those obtained on prescription, were an important source of energy, carbohydrate, NSP, calcium and iron.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CD are at risk of having an inadequate intake of calcium, NSP and vitamin D. Specialist GFP, which were obtained on prescription, helped patients get a balanced diet and without these patients would be at an increased risk of many deficiencies.