Pasta? Sorry, but I'll have to pass, says Leicester Tigers star

Leicester Tigers international Martin Castrogiovanni has discovered he is allergic to his country's national dish – pasta.

The Italian international made the discovery after going for tests when he returned from the Six Nations championships struggling to maintain his ideal weight and complaining of lethargy.

Blood tests revealed the Italian tighthead prop has coeliac disease, which comes from an intolerance to gluten.

Martin, 29, who also runs two Italian restaurants alongside his rugby career, was told to cut out the food groups which were causing him problems, such as wheat, rye and barley.

He said: "A doctor took some samples of my blood and later found out that I was allergic to gluten. Maybe, after a while, it will get better but, for now, I am a coeliac and, since I have got on top of it, I am feeling much better."

Since ditching gluten from his diet, the Italian international has been in sensational form.

His 50-metre chase down of an up-and-under kick at home to Gloucester was a clear indication that any lethargy seems to be a thing of the past.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill is happy his player is no longer "under the weather."

"He came back from the Six Nations feeling a little bit weary and that was a worry because he is really important to us," he said. "He has been feeling a little bit lethargic for quite a while.

"We have an outstanding doctor here who knows where to send people to. We did some tests and found out he was a coeliac and now he has got that under control.

"He is an Argentinian-Italian who owns two restaurants. Now he can't eat bread or pasta and he can't drink beer.

"As you get older, you have to look after yourself and Castro's weight is really good and he is in good nick."

Kate Newman, of support group Coeliac UK, said: "When you are diagnosed it is definitely not the end of the world but it does require a strict, lifelong change of diet.

"There are lots of products that are gluten free, like all meat, fish, vegetables and fruit.

"The only things people have to keep away from are those with gluten in.

"These include pizza, pasta, beer, cakes, biscuits, but wheat is often used as a thickening agent in sausages, gravy, sauce, mayonnaise even, so you have got to be very, very careful."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503348/s/148589a4/l/0L0Sthisisleicestershire0O0Cnews0CPasta0ESorry0Ell0Epass0Esays0ETigers0Estar0Carticle0E350A58510Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

Italy Simon Cowell Financial crisis England rugby union team Food and drink JS Bach