1. Photo courtesy of Flikr user RadQuiz1. Picture above is an x-ray of the small bowel of a patient with Celiac disease, the folds in the lining indicate the damage. Celiac disease is condition that damages the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food, the damage is done by a reaction with gluten, which can be found in wheat, barley and rye, according to the National Health Institute.

2. There is no exact treatment for Celiac disease, but the course of action doctors prescribe patients is to avoid foods including gluten, according to John Tyczkowski, a student at the University of Connecticut, suffers from Celiac and said his diet focuses on gluten free products. Photo courtesy of Matt McDonough. kow

3. John Tyczkowski is fortunate the university offers options to meet his dietary needs at the dining halls including South Dining Hall, pictured above. “On campus, South and Northwest are my favorites, since they have a wide selection as well as a freezer/fridge stocked full of gluten-free bread,pasta, and etc.,” said Tyczkowski.

4. Tyczkowski said there are a number of common foods he cannot eat, including the crust of pizza because the flour used contains gluten, which causes damage in the lower intestine of patients suffering from Celiac disease. Another common food he must avoid is bread and pasta made from flour.

5. Tyczkowski said there are a number of food products that many people do not know include gluten. He said the most surprising food product he cannot consume is Powerade because one of the hidden ingredients is barley malt powder. Other products he cannot consume include many alcoholic beverages and any products that contact prohibited products because of hidden gluten.

6. Tyczkowski said that he has become more reliant on cooking his own food since he was diagnosed with Celiac disease. He added it is very common for those who suffer from the disease to make their own meals. While it cannot be treated, it can be prevented.