Living with Celiac Disease in KSA

03/05/2025

Ever heard of celiac disease? If you’re living in Saudi Arabia—or planning to—it’s something worth knowing about. This autoimmune condition affects more people here than you might expect, and understanding it is key to living your healthiest, happiest life.

What is Celiac Disease?

Simply put, celiac disease is when your immune system throws a tantrum every time you eat gluten—a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

The reaction damages your small intestine, making it harder for your body to absorb important nutrients. If unmanaged, it can lead to some serious health bumps down the road.

How Common is Celiac Disease in Saudi Arabia?

Spoiler: It’s more common here than in many other parts of the world!
Research suggests that 1.5% to 2.2% of Saudi Arabia’s population has celiac disease. Among kids and teens, the rate jumps even higher—up to 4%.

Also, women seem to be more affected than men.

Bottom line? If you’re experiencing unusual symptoms, it’s worth getting checked.

Getting Diagnosed in Saudi Arabia

Think you might have celiac disease? Don’t self-diagnose—see a doctor! Here’s what the typical process looks like:

Step 1: Blood tests to check for celiac-related antibodies.
Step 2: If needed, an upper endoscopy (camera + tiny tissue samples) to confirm damage in your small intestine.

Important: Keep eating gluten until all your tests are done, otherwise, your results might not be accurate.

Your Gluten-Free Game Plan in Saudi Arabia

Master Food Label

Become a label detective! Gluten lurks in many processed foods. Look for hidden sources like semolina, durum, malt, and even some candies or

sauces.
Products labeled “gluten-free” typically mean they contain less than 20 ppm (parts per million) of gluten—safe for celiacs.

Where to Shop

Luckily, major retailers have your back:

Carrefour
Lulu Hypermarket
Panda
Danube
Tamimi Markets

You’ll often find dedicated gluten-free sections!
Prefer shopping from your sofa? Online stores like Amazon.sa and supermarket websites also stock gluten-free goodies. Plus, Riyadh and Jeddah

now have specialty bakeries popping up!

Eating Out (Without Freaking Out)

Call ahead and ask if they offer gluten-free options.
Check how they handle cross-contamination (a.k.a. gluten sneaking onto your plate).
Browse online communities (like; the Saudi celiac association) to find celiac-friendly restaurants before heading out.

Finding Your Support Squad in Saudi Arabia

You don’t have to do this alone! Saudi Arabia offers great support:

Government Help:
The Ministry of Health supplies gluten-free products monthly to registered celiac patients. Amazing, right?
Support Groups:
Connect with others through the Saudi Celiac Patients Support Group and The Celiac Association.
Online Communities:
Platforms like Reddit (check out r/Riyadh, r/Jeddah, r/glutenfree, r/Celiac) are fantastic for sharing tips, recipes, and experiences.
Healthcare Experts:
Partner with doctors and registered dietitians who specialize in celiac disease for tailored advice and health check-ins.

Final Thoughts: Living (Well!) with Celiac Disease in Saudi Arabia

Sure, living gluten-free in Saudi Arabia requires some adjustments—but thanks to growing awareness, improved food options, government programs, and active communities, thriving with celiac disease is absolutely within reach.

Friendly reminder: Always consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and management—and don’t be shy about tapping into the awesome support

systems around you.

You’ve got this!

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Works cited

Celiac disease among at-risk individuals in Saudi Arabia – ResearchGate, accessed April 28, 2025, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330554082_Celiac_disease_among_at-risk_individuals_in_Saudi_Arabia

Awareness of gluten-free diet among the general public in Saudi Arabia – Nutrición Clínica y Dietética Hospitalaria, accessed April 28, 2025, https://revista.nutricion.org/index.php/ncdh/article/download/426/345/3859 Read More

Nourhan Elsayed

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celiac, Disease, Gluten, Gluten-Free, Saudi

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