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    Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    Mom Helps Novak Djokovic Stick to Gluten-free Diet

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    Celiac.com 04/25/2013 - Anyone who has ever struggled with a gluten-free diet can likely identify with tennis star Novak Djokovic. The wold's top tennis player has struggled to faithfully remain 100% gluten-free, and has turned to his mom for a bit of help.

    Photo: CC--Frederic de VillamilStill, the wold's top tennis player has struggled to faithfully remain 100% gluten-free, and admits being tempted by the Balkan foods on which he grew up. 

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    In an effort to reap the benefits of a strict gluten-free diet, Djokovic has turned to help from his mom. He says his mother’s home cooking has helped him stick to the dietary plan.

    “I eat mostly at home, my mom cooks special food,” says Djokovic, whose father owned a pizza restaurant, and who grew up in a culture which features plenty of red meat, dumpling and sweet desserts.

    Djokovic has worked to avoid these and other gluten-rich foods over the past few seasons as he has risen to the top of the tennis rankings.

    “It’s hard, because in our country there is a certain kind of mentality towards the food. That is not very encouraging for gluten-free diet.”

    With mom's help, however, Djokovic is finding out just how delicious gluten-free food can be.

    “For me it’s absolutely normal now to have that food, and back home I love mom’s kitchen. That’s the most time spent eating there.”

    For now, join us in saluting Novak Djokovic and his mother in their battle to keep him gluten free, and stay tuned to learn more about Djokovic's efforts to harness his diet to improve his success on the tennis court.



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    Recommended Comments

    Guest Jeanne

    Posted

    I often find that the general public knows very little about gluten-free, or people who need to stay on this diet. In this otherwise fine article, you include a sentence toward the end that sounds like red meat has gluten. Please be careful with your wording, as there's already enough misinformation out there regarding gluten-free food.

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    Guest Ann Mitchell

    Posted

    I support Jeanne's comment - almost everyone I know has no real idea what gluten-free means. Of course there is no gluten in meat. Gluten is in almost all grains - some more, some less. Almost all of my lifelong digestive problems were because of celiac disease, and I did not know it. Back then (I am 77) no one had any idea about celiac disease. Now, at least, some people are catching on to it.

    I wish more doctors would become more open to it. I have only ever had one who was.

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    Guest Ann Mitchell

    Posted

    I often find that the general public knows very little about gluten-free, or people who need to stay on this diet. In this otherwise fine article, you include a sentence toward the end that sounds like red meat has gluten. Please be careful with your wording, as there's already enough misinformation out there regarding gluten-free food.

    Hi Jeanne: I have just made a comment which supports you. Thanks for your clear thinking.

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    Guest Donald Emerant

    Posted

    I agree that this article could mislead and may make people think red meat has gluten. However, it is good to write about famous people who are struggling with celiac disease. This may help others to better understand what the disease is about and how to face it on a daily basis.

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    Guest penelope

    Posted

    Very interesting subject - have only discovered that i am gluten intolerant after many years of terrible stomach problems since i was a little girl. It is all so clear now.

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    Guest Kim
    I support Jeanne's comment - almost everyone I know has no real idea what gluten-free means. Of course there is no gluten in meat. Gluten is in almost all grains - some more, some less. Almost all of my lifelong digestive problems were because of celiac disease, and I did not know it. Back then (I am 77) no one had any idea about celiac disease. Now, at least, some people are catching on to it.

    I wish more doctors would become more open to it. I have only ever had one who was.

    This is somewhat misleading. There are many, many grains that don't contain gluten: quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, corn/maize, millet, rice, tapioca, to name a few. I find it pretty easy to stay gluten-free with so much choice

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    Guest Gryphon

    Posted

    This is somewhat misleading. There are many, many grains that don't contain gluten: quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, corn/maize, millet, rice, tapioca, to name a few. I find it pretty easy to stay gluten-free with so much choice

    Some of those aren't actually grains.

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    Guest Jasmina

    Posted

    I'm also from country (Croatia, EU) where it's normal to eat lots of bread, spaghetti, pizza... it's in our Mediterranean culture... I had strange health episodes: fast heart beat, pain in the bones, allergies... now I'm happy because 3 years I'm on gluten free diet and all my problems are vanished... and I want to share with others because I discovered that in my thirties.

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  • About Me

    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University. His articles, essays, poems, stories and book reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and websites, including North American Project, Antioch Review, Caliban, Mississippi Review, Slate, and more. He is the author of more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His university coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously devised health and medical content for Colgate, Dove, Pfizer, Sharecare, Walgreens, and more. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of numerous books, including "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

    >VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY JEFFERSON ADAMS

     


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