Nutrition Counseling

Susan Algert, PhD., RD

"Why see a nutritionist" [PDF]

Dr. Susan Algert has over 30 years of experience in nutrition counseling, education and research. She has worked as a clinical research dietitian in three major medical centers, and as a professor in the California State University system. In addition to her current work counseling both adult and pediatric patients with celiac disease, Dr Algert's specialties have included heart disease, diabetes and eating disorders. Dr. Algert has authored a cookbook and nutritional guide, the UCSD Healthy Diet for Diabetes, and numerous scientific publications on health promotion and disease prevention. Dr. Algert's current research projects at the Warren Center include assessing compliance to the gluten-free diet. She is also collaborating with the Warren Center pediatric and adult gastroenterologists to determine new methods for assessing a safe threshold for gluten for patients with celiac disease.

Dr. Algert has her Ph.D. in Social Science from the University of California, Irvine and an M.S. degree in Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She is also a Registered Dietitian.

ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO CELIAC DISEASE

Use this as a brief overview of gluten-free dietary guidelines. Just the basics to get you started before your complete nutrition evaluation.

Safe Grains & Starches
  • Quinoa
  • Millet
  • Buckwheat 
  • Amaranth
  • Teff flour
  • Nut Flour
  • Tapioca
  • Beans
  • Corn
  • Rice
  • Soy
  • Potato

Unsafe Grains
  • Wheat
    • Durum
    • Graham
    • Semolina
    • Spelt
  • Barley
  • Rye
  • Triticale

Hidden Sources of Gluten
  • Breading
  • Broth
  • Coating mix
  • Croutons
  • Some candies
  • Luncheon meat
  • Pasta
  • Roux
  • Sauces
  • Soup base
  • Soy sauce
  • Stuffing
  • Communion wafers
  • Lipstick
  • Lip gloss
  • Play dough
  • Prescription medication
  • Over-the-counter medication

Principles of the Gluten-Free Diet

  1. Practice life-long avoidance of all gluten.
  2. Learn to read labels for sources of gluten.
  3. Learn your tolerance of oats.
  4. Eat a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
  5. Replace wheat with healthy grains.
  6. Choose only gluten-free restaurant menu items.
  7. Avoid gluten cross contamination of gluten-free products.
  8. Choose only gluten-free nutritional supplements and medications.

Steps in Living a Gluten-Free Life

1)  Re-do your kitchen
2)  Grocery shopping for gluten-free foods
3)  Eating away from home
4)  Entertaining
5)  Tips for kids
6)  Traveling safely
7)  Use appropriate medications and cosmetics

Remember!! If in doubt, don't eat it! Wheat free is not gluten free!

Susan Algert, Ph.D., R.D.
Wm. K. Warren Celiac Center
University of California, San Diego
Medical Teaching Facility, Room 410
9500 Gilman Drive #0623D
La Jolla, CA 92093-0623
Phone: (858) 822-6528
Fax: (858) 534-5691
Email: salgert@ucsd.edu