Richmond’s Todd Elton can’t remember life without having coeliac disease, but fortunately his gluten-free diet hasn’t held him back.

Elton was diagnosed with coeliac disease (intolerance to gluten in wheat and some other grains) at 12 months of age, after being unwell for several months as a baby.

As a child, he was given gluten-free alternatives to the meals that his family was eating, so he could still enjoy pasta and bread, but with gluten-free ingredients instead.

“The hardest times would have been early on in my primary school days when a coeliac diet was not as well-known, and there was limited knowledge on the requirements. Some school camps were a bit challenging,” Elton said.

“It was sometimes difficult growing up and not being able to eat everything that my brothers could, but I got used to eating different foods in the end,” he said.

Now, as an AFL player, Elton is trying to add a few extra kilos and is bulking up on pastas, rices, steaks and gluten-free sandwiches with proteins like egg and avocado.

“The footy club has been good with catering plenty of gluten-free options after games, and the Club’s chef always has a meal for me at our team lunches, which we have twice a week at the Club.”

Luckily for Elton, his gluten-free diet hasn’t affected his football training at all.  Being diagnosed at a young age, he has been able to lead a normal life.

Unfortunately, many people with coeliac disease remain undiagnosed. There are 340,000 Australians with coeliac disease, yet 80% (272,000) of them don't know they have it.

March 13-20 is Coeliac Awareness Week.  If you’re feeling sick and tired (lack of energy, digestive problems, nausea, and bloating) see your doctor, and ask if it might be coeliac disease. For more information visit www.coeliac.org.au.