Impact of blowing a gluten free diet by accident even if you have no symptoms

[Zigzag]

I am asystematic, having recently been diagnosed through blood work as Celiac.  I am gluten free 95% percent of the time but since I am new at this game, I slip up at times; like eating  a mini milky way (found out it has malt), or a bowl of rice crispies (rice) but it has some malt. or a bag of "ready rice" that reading closely has malt. There are a few other examples that I won't go into. But my question is: with is no reactions observed, small amounts taken in; did I do further damage and backtrack any progress that I may have made even being 95% gluten-free? In the 6 weeks since I was diagnosed, I have never consciously gone off the diet... only be accident. Everything I read they say stay very strict, but what does that really mean?

[tessa25]

Hate to give you bad news, but with celiac 95% is as bad as 0%, because the antibody reaction lasts a couple of months. Even if you don't feel it. It gets easier with time and knowledge.

[Zigzag]

wow... thanks... I better learn the rules fast and read the fine print before I eat anything.  Does that mean even cross contamination will do me in even if I don't feel anything if it should happen?

[tessa25]

Yes.

[ch88]

It probably depends on the person.  I think there is some tolerance. You may be able to get away with eating one crumb per day, or something, without it destroying your gut. That is not recommended though.  

It takes up to 2 weeks to heal the gut if you are healthy and a lot longer in some cases. 

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