Changes in food consumption and its nutritional quality when on a gluten-free diet for dermatitis herpetiformis.

Dietary intakes of energy and nutrients were calculated from diet history interviews in 30 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, before and after 18 months on a gluten-free diet. In spite of great changes in the intake of different foods, the mean intake of dietary fibre did not decrease. There was only a small decrease in the intake of iron in women, while the intake in men did not change. Patients with a previous high intake of gluten had indirect evidence of malabsorption.