It’s National Celiac Disease Awareness day, and boy oh boy, have I learned so much about celiac disease over the years!
Long before I started Loreto Kitchen, I made the transition to a gluten-free diet. While I have never been tested for celiac disease, I have been gluten free for 10 years. I was having some pretty severe symptoms while in college so my doctor suggested I cut out gluten as a start. Naturally, I tried everything else first. When nothing was helping, I finally surrendered the college diet of pizza and beer … and I felt so much better so quickly.
The tricky thing about those dealing with celiac disease, is that gluten is hidden in so many places and cross contamination is a real concern. Between checking every ingredient at the store and asking tons of questions at restaurants, those with celiac disease certainly live a different lifestyle. But avoiding gluten isn’t simply a lifestyle preference … celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that inhibits the absorption of vital nutrients and can lead to lifelong complications with severe symptoms. They don’t just choose to avoid gluten … they need to avoid gluten.
Gluten free folks don’t only live a life of suffering, but it does mean their lives look different. So just remember: your friends with celiac disease aren’t being high maintenance or demanding when they ask you questions about the food at your dinner party. It’s a real health concern for them that causes more than just a little bloating (like some people assume). If you have a friend with celiac disease, try to understand what it’s like for them — see how you can be more conscious when preparing food or finding good restaurants to enjoy with them.
Over the past 10 years, I haven’t been satisfied with the options out there, so I embarked on an adventure of my own and started Loreto Kitchen. Part of my mission is to take the questions and risk out of food, while also making the best gluten-free baked goods (that even your gluten-filled friends will love)! It’s time to change the narrative and make safe and delicious treats.
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