Athletes with celiac disease: overcoming challenges to achieve greatness
As you surely know, celiac disease – an autoimmune disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten – can pose significant challenges for anyone, especially athletes. Despite these challenges, many athletes with celiac disease have managed to excel in their respective sports, proving that dietary restrictions need not limit one’s potential for success. The Paris 2024 Olympics are a great time to explore how these athletes manage their condition, their diets, and how celiac disease impacts (or doesn’t!) their sporting careers.
The life of a celiac athlete
Celiac disease affects the small intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients properly, leading to various symptoms such as digestive issues, fatigue and nutrient deficiencies. For athletes, maintaining optimal health and energy levels is crucial, and managing celiac disease adds an extra layer of complexity to their training and competition routines.
Athletes with celiac disease must be meticulous about their diets, ensuring they avoid gluten to prevent adverse health effects. This requires careful meal planning, constant vigilance about food ingredients and often carrying their own food during travel and competitions to avoid cross-contamination. Despite these challenges, many celiac athletes thrive by focusing on whole, naturally gluten free foods and consulting with dietitians to optimize their nutrition.
So if you are intolerant to gluten and also a sports lover, you might encounter some challenges… but it’s not impossible to combine the two things if you know how to deal with your diet properly.
Gluten free diet for celiac athletes
A balanced gluten free diet for athletes typically includes:
- Lean proteins: chicken, fish, lean beef and plant-based proteins – which are luckily all naturally gluten free!
- Complex carbohydrates, for example quinoa, brown rice, sweet potatoes and gluten-free oats.
- Healthy fats such as avocado, nuts, seeds and olive oil.
- Fruits and vegetables: a variety of colorful fruits and veggies to ensure a range of nutrients.
Besides the carbs, everything seems pretty simple and straightforward, right? So here’s an example of how you (or any athlete with celiac disease) could combine those guidelines to create gluten free and nutritious meals.
Example of a meal plan for celiac athletes
| Breakfast | Smoothie with gluten free oats, banana, spinach, almond butter and protein powder |
| Lunch | Grilled chicken salad with quinoa, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, avocado and a lemon vinaigrette |
| Snack | Apple slices with almond butter |
| Dinner | Baked salmon with sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli |
| Post-workout snack | Protein shake with gluten free protein powder, water and a handful of berries |
Celiac athletes and the Paris 2024 Olympics
As we look forward to the imminent start of the Paris 2024 Olympics, the visibility of celiac athletes continues to grow. While specific athletes with celiac disease competing in these games have not been widely publicized yet, the increasing awareness and support for gluten free diet ensure that such athletes have the resources they need to compete at the highest levels.
We know for sure that Brooke Buschkuehl, a long jumper, will be competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics for Australia. Not only she has celiac disease, but she also battles Hashimoto’s: she surely knows how to overcome life’s obstacles successfully! Thanks to a strict diet, followed by a nutritionist of course, she won over fatigue and got back her energy and strength. We definitely wish her luck for the upcoming competition!
If we look beyond the current Olympics, it’s easy to find renowned athletes who are also celiac. Here are some of them!
Famous athletes with celiac disease or gluten intolerance
Novak Djokovic
One of the most famous athletes known to be gluten free is tennis superstar Novak Djokovic. Although not officially diagnosed with celiac disease, Djokovic has a gluten sensitivity that led him to adopt a gluten free diet. Since making the switch, he has credited his dietary change with significantly improving his performance, energy levels and overall health. Djokovic’s success story has inspired many other athletes to consider how dietary adjustments can impact performance.
Martín Castrogiovanni
Former Italian rugby player Martín Castrogiovanni is another prominent athlete with celiac disease. Castrogiovanni, known for his powerful presence on the field, was diagnosed with celiac disease early in his career. By adhering to a strict gluten free diet, he managed to sustain his energy levels and maintain his competitive edge, becoming a key player in international rugby.
Sabine Lisicki
German tennis player Sabine Lisicki has been diagnosed with a non-celiac gluten sensitivity and follows a gluten free diet to manage her symptoms. Lisicki has reached the finals at Wimbledon and has been a prominent figure in the tennis world. She often shared her experiences and tips for living gluten free, raising awareness about the condition.
Gwen Jorgensen
Gwen Jorgensen is an American triathlete who won the gold medal in the women’s triathlon at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She has publicly discussed her gluten free diet, which she follows due to gluten intolerance. Jorgensen’s dietary regimen has been a crucial part of her training and recovery process.
Dana Vollmer
Dana Vollmer is an American swimmer with gluten intolerance (and egg allergy!) who has won multiple Olympic gold medals. She follows a gluten free diet to manage her symptoms and maintain her health. Not only: after setting a world record for the 100 meters butterfly, she tweeted that it was possible because she was fueled by a gluten free and egg free meal.
Amy Yoder Begley
Amy Yoder Begley is also American, a runner this time, who was part of the Olympic track and field team. She struggled with symptoms for ten years and was finally diagnosed with celiac disease, together with other conditions such as hypothyroidism. Only after the diagnosis and following a correct diet she was able to reach her goal: competing in the Beijing Olympics.
In conclusion…
As you understood from these success stories, the focus on personalized nutrition and dietary requirements is a critical aspect of athlete preparation, ensuring those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance can compete at the highest levels without compromising their health. By understanding the needs and challenges of athletes with celiac disease, we can appreciate even more their dedication and the efforts they make to excel in their sports.
Eating a well-prepared gluten free meal made by experts ensures they (and you, if you’re an athlete yourself) can focus on training and performance without worrying about dietary restrictions. If you’re in Rhodes right now and want to enjoy a nutritious meal – or a cheat snack! – visit Rhodes Gluten Free to discover our range of products and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with safe, delicious, gluten free eating.
P.S.: Speaking of Olympics, did you know that one of the people behind Rhodes Gluten Free is an Olympic champion? Google George Himonetos 😉 or come to the shop on Saturday 27th for a meet and greet with him from 11:30 to 13:30. Coffee is on us!
Frequently Asked Questions
While specific names of Olympians with celiac disease may not always be publicly known, athletes like Brooke Buschkuehl and others have been open about their condition. It’s likely that there are others who manage their condition privately.
Yes, many athletes with celiac disease manage their condition effectively and continue to compete at elite levels. Proper diet and careful planning are key to their success.
Notable sports stars with celiac disease include Amy Yoder Bogler, while Novak Djokovic manages a severe gluten intolerance.
Yes, individuals with celiac disease can build muscle by following a balanced, gluten-free diet rich in protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, combined with regular strength training.
While running itself does not directly affect celiac disease, regular exercise can help improve overall health and well-being. For those with celiac disease, maintaining a gluten free diet is crucial for managing the condition.
