Celiac Disease

Here’s a free collection of resources on Celiac Disease- blogs, support groups, first-hand experiences and advice from people who’ve had Celiac Disease, etc.

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• Celiac Disease Blogs
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• Celiac Disease Survey
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• Celiac Disease Difficulties
• Celiac Disease Advice
• Celiac Disease Diet Recommendations
• Celiac Disease Additives to Avoid
• Celiac Disease Gluten-Free Recipes
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Celiac Disease Blogs

Here’s a collection of 100+ blogs written by people with Celiac Disease, or about Gluten-Free Living/Celiac Disease.

Celiac Disease Support Groups

Celiac Disease Support Groups On Facebook

Here’s a collection of Facebook support groups for people with Celiac Disease. This list also includes several active gluten-free groups.

1. Gluten Free Group (36,614 members)
2. Easy Gluten-Free Recipes Group (19,279 members)
3. Gluten Free and Me Group (18,757 members)
4. Gluten Free Families Group (15,980 members)
5. Celiac Disease Support Facebook Group (14,671 members)
6. Coeliacs in the UK Group (12,127 members)
7. Coeliac Disease in Australia Group (9,536 members)
8. Gluten Free Planet Group (8,286 members)
9. GLUTEN FREE Group (8,192 members)
10. RECIPES, GLUTEN FREE, SUPPORT AND FUN Group (6,292 members)
11. The Gluten Free Life Group (5,930 members)
12. Canadian Celiac Association Group (5,720 members)
13. Coeliacs with Humour Group (5,183 members)
14. Coeliacs Slimming World Group (4,997 members)
15. Gluten-Free Vegans Group (4,710 members)
16. Gluten Free Everything. One Page For All Group (4,452 members)
17. Celiac 4 Arab Group (2,874 members)
18. Children with Coeliac Disease Group (2,571 members)
19. Coeliac Disease in Australia & New Zealand Group (2,517 members)
20. Pretty Little Celiac Support Group (2,387 members)
21. Gluten Free Connections Group (2,258 members)
22. Gloriously Gluten Free Group (2,210 members)
23. Coeliac Disease Support Group Australia (2,133 members)
24. Coeliac Disease Support Group Vic, Australia (2,070 members)
25. Coeliac Support. THE GF page for newbies and oldies! Group (2,011 members)
26. Ontario Celiacs Group (1,974 members)
27. Coeliac Disease Support Group (1,932 members)
28. Celiac Kids Group (1,887 members)
29. Coeliac Experiences Group (1,846 members)
30. Coeliac Disease New Zealand Group (1,796 members)
31. Pakistani Celiac Society Group (1,065 members)
32. Gluten Free in Utah County Group (1,027 members)
33. Singapore Celiac & Gluten Intolerance Group (970 members)
34. Fighting for a cure! Celiac Disease Group (930 members)
35. Celiac Society For India Group (923 members)
36. Celiac and Me– Living Gluten Free due to Celiac Group (880 members)
37. Celiac Disease Gluten Free Quebec Group (854 members)
38. Gluten Free Everything Group (805 members)
39. Parents of Children with Celiac Disease and Type 1 Diabetes Group (769 members)
40. Canadian Celiac Association – Ottawa Chapter Group (745 members)
41. From mothers of food allergic kids, EOE/EE, Celiac, and food intolerance Group (725 members)
42. Celiac Disease (Wheat Allergy) & Food Allergy  Research Centre Group (643 members)
43. Charlotte Celiac Connection Group (588 members)
44. Oklahoma Celiac Support Group (563 members)
45. Canadian Celiac Association – Vancouver Chapter Group (510 members)
46. Celiac Moms Group (467 members)
47. Celiac Disease Family Support Group (465 members)
48. Coeliac Disease for Beginners Group (418 members)
49. Support Celiac Disease and other Allergens for Kids in the USA Group (414 members)
50. Celiac Parents and Parents of Celiacs Group (407 members)
51. The Gluten-Free Gang of Raleigh-Durham North Carolina Group (392 members)
52. Pakistan Celiac Association Group (350 members)
53. Celiac Disease in Pakistan Group (345 members)
54. Gluten Free/Celiac Moms on the South Shore Group (345 members)
55. Raising Our Celiac Kids, Long Island (R.O.C.K. LI) Group (322 members)
56. Sacramento Celiacs Group (309 members)
57. Celiac Disease Group (308 members)
58. Celiac Disease & Gluten Free Group (275 members)
59. Families of children with celiac disease Group (271 members)
60. Celiac Disease Awareness Group (247 members)
61. Houston Food Allergy and Celiac Support Group (241 members)
62. Celiac/Autoimmune Disease Support Group (234 members)
63. Happy and Healthy with Celiac Disease Group (227 members)
64. Foundation for people living with celiac disease Kenya Group (225 members)
65. Celiac Disease-In Michigan Group (219 members)
66. Celiac in Winnipeg Group (219 members)
67. Support Celiac Disease Awareness And become Gluten Free Group (216 members)
68. Las Vegas Celiac Support Group (179 members)
69. Fight4Celiac Group (168 members)
70. Northern Westchester Celiac Disease And Allergy Moms Group (165 members)
71. “Celiac” Gluten-Free Food Group (155 members)
72. Celiac disease group 2 (152 members)
73. Our favorite Gluten Free Recipes. ( Celiac & Autism ) Group (151 members)
74. Gluten Free Info For Health Coaches Group (144 members)
75. A Group for those who have Celiac Disease on Long Island and NY Group (141 members)
76. Central Illinois Celiacs Group (130 members)
77. Celiac Group (129 members)
78. Celiac Disease Awareness (Group) (129 members)
79. Gluten Free Recipes & Cooking Group (129 members)
80. Celiac Disease Awareness Group (118 members)
81. Diabetics with Celiac Disease Group (107 members)
82. Gluten Free Celiac Support And Recipes Group (96 members)
83. Support Celiac Disease Awareness Group (96 members)
84. Celiac/Gluten Free Group (95 members)
85. Celiac Disease Group (89 members)
86. No Gluten, No Problem- Feeding my Celiac Family Group (88 members)
87. LIVING WITH CELIAC DISEASE, SICKLE CELL AND VON WILLEBRAND Group (83 members)
88. Celiac Disease Support for NY NJ CT PA Group (81 members)
89. Celiac Sprue Disease Group (81 members)
90. Kids with Celiac Disease in the Suburbs of Chicago Group (79 members)
91. Celiac Disease in Kids Group (79 members)
92. Celiac Support/Gluten-Free Living Group (78 members)
93. Celiac, Intestinal Disease and Food Allergy Support Group (76 members)
94. Celiac Disease/Gluten-free Friends in SE Michigan Group (75 members)
95. Celiac Society Group (68 members)
96. Canadian Parents of children with celiac disease and type 1 Group (68 members)
97. Gluten Free by Me Group (67 members)
98. Celiac Disease And Food Related Allergies/Diseases Support Group (65 members)
99. Living with Celiac Group (65 members)
100. Gluten Free-Celiac Disease Group (64 members)
101. ROCK (Raising Our Celiac Kids) – Bucks & Montgomery Counties, PA Group (63 members)
102. Celiac Disease Awareness & Research Fundraiser *ONLINE* Group (60 members)
103. CELIAC STORE Group (59 members)
104. The Celiac Dinner Table Group (59 members)
105. Celiac Disease & Gluten-free Diet INFO Group (56 members)
106. Gluten Free Vero Group (56 members)
107. Gluten Free Support Group (56 members)
108. Celiac and Chrohn’s disease together Group (56 members)
109. Dealing With Celiac Disease Group (55 members)
110. Celiac Disease/Gluten intolerance Group (55 members)
111. Gluten Free/Celiac Disease – Whatcom County Group (54 members)
112. Gluten Free – Celiac Disease Support Group (54 members)
113. Celiac disease/Gluten intolerance Group (53 members)
114. Celiac Awareness Club Group (41 members)
115. Celiac for Life Group (37 members)
116. Sufferers Of Celiac Disease And Irritable Bowel Syndrome Group (36 members)
117. Celiac Support Group (36 members)
118. Celiac’s Disease & Diabetes Support Group (35 members)
119. Celiacs and Reese Cups! Group (35 members)
120. Celiac Disease Living Group (34 members)
121. Celiac Disease Group (34 members)
122. Celiac Support Group (32 members)
123. Parents of children w/T1d or T1ds and Celiac disease Group (32 members)
124. Inflight Celiac Group (31 members)
125. Cardston Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance Support Group (30 members)
126. Coeliacs Seeking Answers Group (28 members)
127. Celiac Disease Awareness Group (27 members)
128. Teens With Celiac Disease Group (27 members)
129. Celiac Friends Group (27 members)
130. Texas Celiac Support Group (25 members)
131. Celiac Group (25 members)
132. Celiac Group (24 members)
133. Sisters Support Celiac Disease Group (21 members)
134. Juicing and Juice Fasting for Celiac Disease Group (20 members)
135. Severe Allergies, Celiac Disease and/Asthma Support Group (19 members)
136. Celiac Disease Group (18 members)
137. Solutions to Celiac Disease, IBS, SIBO, Chronic Fatigue, and Fibromyalgia Group (18 members)
138. Celiac Disease And Making G-Free Changes Group (18 members)
139. Living life with Celiac Disease Group (16 members)
140. Type 1 & Celiac Disease Group (16 members)
141. Pediatric CHD-Celiac Disease Awareness Groups (16 members)
142. Cheering on Those dealing with Celiac Disease In the Texas Panhandle! Group (16 members)
143. Celiac Disease Support Group Indonesia Group (14 members)
144. Celiac Disease Group (13 members)
145. Tennessee Celiac Disease Support Group For Women Group (13 members)
146. I <3  Someone with Celiac Disease Group (13 members)
147. the celiac disease,gluten free group. Recipes,talk and more. (13 members)
148. Parent of Child with Celiac’s Disease – Staten Island Group (12 members)
149. Celiac Disease Foundation-Hemet Group (12 members)
150. Celiac Disease Awareness + Support Group (12 members)
151. Celiac Disease And Issues Associated With It! Group (11 members)
152. Auburn Celiac Disease Support Group (11 members)
153. Celiac Disease and Gluten Free Group (11 members)
154. Celiac Disease xxx Group (10 members)
155. Celiac Disease/Gluten  & Wheat Intolerance Group (10 members)
156. CELIAC DISEASE Group (8 members)
157. Celiac Disease Awareness – NFCA Group (6 members)
158. Celiac Disease, our journey Group (5 members)
159. Celiac Disease Awareness Group (5 members)
160. Celiac Disease Group (5 members)

Google Plus Celiac Disease Support Communities

1. Gluten Free Community (6,445 members)
2. Celiac Disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity Community (693 members)
3. Celiac Disease: Partner’s Perspective Community (172 members)
4. KIDS WITH CELIAC DISEASE Community (143 members)
5. Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease Symptoms Community (135 members)
6. Celiac Awareness and Support with OAMM Community (135 members)
7. CELIAC DISEASE AND DIABETES Community (106 members)

Other Celiac Disease Support Groups And Forums

1. Celiac.com Celiac Disease & Gluten-Free Diet Forum (61,446 members, 920,563 posts)
2. Celiac Disease Support Group (15,483 members, 1,645 posts)
3. The Sensible Celiac Forum (578 members, 12621 posts)
4. DailyStrength Celiac Disease Support Group (211 members, 2,016 posts)
5. Patient.info Coeliac Disease Forum (430 members, 124 recent posts)
6. The Gluten Dude Forum
7. HealthBoards.com Celiac Disease Message Board
8. HealingWell.com Celiac Disease Forum
9. NeuroTalk Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease Forum
10. MDJunction Celiac Disease Support Group
11. EHealthForum Celiac Disease Forum
12. Topix.com Celiac Disease Forum

In-Person Support Groups In The United States

Celiac Disease Foundation Support Groups (Click link to become a member, view local meet-ups, contact info, etc.): Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin.

*View Celiac Support Association Chapters in the USA.

*View Northern California Support Groups.

*View SimplyGluten-Free International Celiac Support Groups.

*View Celiac.com’s list of local support groups/chapters.

Celiac Disease Survey

We are surveying  people about their experiences with Celiac Disease. Here will be a collection of their responses.

*This information is not meant to replace medical advice, and the information gathered via surveys may or may not be correct. Hopefully it will be helpful to you!

*Response format = Answer (Name, Age)

**Click here to share your experience with Celiac Disease**

Celiac Disease Symptoms

What symptoms have you (or your loved one) experienced?

• Vomiting, Malnutrition, Nausea, Pain, Hair loss, Weight loss, Secondary hypothyroidism. (Heidi, 1 year old)
• Mucus bowel movements. Stomach aches, temperatures, rash. (Casper, 1 year old)
• Sickness, low energy, general failure to thrive. (Bella, 3 years old)
• Constipation, rash, insomnia. (Noah, 3 years old)
• Bloated tummy, Diarrhea. (Molly-Grace, 3 years old)
• Low iron, tiredness, lethargic. (Joshua, 3 years old)
• Constipation, mouth ulcers. (Sophie, 5 years old)
• Distended and painful stomach when exposed to gluten. (Luke, 5 years old)
• Brain fog, hyperactivity, stomach ache. (Lincoln, 6 years old)
• Abdominal distention, splenomegaly, villous atrophy, anemia, slow growth, eczema, and malabsorption. (Caleb I., 6 years old)
• Small for my age, sick sometimes, sticky out tummy. My symptoms are gone now. (Lynn, 9 years old)
• Acrid smelling runny poo, dark eyes, bloated extended tummy, tiredness, irrational behavior, bed wetting. (Jack, 9 years old)
• Going to do a poo 12 times a day, bug bloated tummy, no energy, couldn’t dance anymore. (Alexandra, 11 years old)
• A lot. Stomach pains. Throwing up. Stinky farts and diarrhea. (Jack, 11 years old)
• Stomach cramps, diarrhea, sickness, headaches, dizziness, rash-like eczema. (Aoife, 12 years old)
• Head ache, wind, runs, heart burn, trapped wind, emotional. (Jodie M., 12 years old)
• Wasn’t growing and losing weight. (Justin, 13 years old)
• Vomiting, constipation and diarrhea, itchy skin, weight loss. (Chloe L., 14 years old)
• Moodyness, tremors, headaches, stomachaches, bathroom issues, tiredness, face rash, dizzness. (Alicia P., 16 years old)
• Sickness, diarrhea, bloating, tiredness/no energy, weight loss, hair loss. (Anonymous, 16 years old)
• Low iron, stomach pain, fatigue. (Madalyn, 19 years old)
• Nausea, blackouts, migraines, dizziness, bloatedness, abdominal cramps, sweats, constipation, none-stop gas, diarrhea. (Tarryn, 19 years old)
• Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, gas, lethargy, vomiting. (Marissa H., 19 years old)
• Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, headaches. (Lakin, 20 years old)
• Fatigue, low vitamins, joint pain, migraine, weight loss. (Courtney B., 21 years old)
• Bloating, IBS, skin rash, brain fog, vomiting, weak bones, weight gain, tiredness, stomach pains. (Julie B., 23 years old)
• Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, irritability, fatigue. (Brandee, 23 years old)
• Absent seizures, numb legs, hot flashes, low iron, stomach spasms, extreme fatigue, blacking out, muscle weakness, diarrhea, sharp stomach pains, bloating, enlarged liver, joint pain, grinding, RLS. (Chris, 23 years old)
• Stomach pain. Fatigue. Bloating. Diarrhea. (Samantha, 23 years old)
• Stomach/intestinal issues and pain. (Zachary, 23 years old)
• Fatigue, heart burn, brain fog, throwing up. (Brittany, 23 years old)
• Mouth ulcers, stomach pains, vomiting. (Beth, 24 years old)
• Stabbing stomach pain, diarrhea, neuropathy, balance issues, muscle spasms, migraines, brain fog. (Jessica, 25 years old)
• Irregular/loose bowel movements, aches in my knees, weight gain. (Ashley, 26 years old)
• Migraines, fatigue, anemia, joint inflammation, vomiting and constipation. (Melissa B., 27 years old)
• Constipation, diarrhea, bloating (stomach swells when ingesting gluten to the point where I look super pregnant), migraines, fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, constant infections, low bone density, hormone problems. (Danielle, 27 years old)
• Stomach ache, tiredness, vomiting, migraine. (Vikki H., 28 years old)
• Stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, swelling in legs and feet, skin blemishes/dry patches on skin, depression, anxiety, elevated liver enzymes. (Haley B., 29 years old)
• Fatigue, joint pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, indigestion, brain fog, rash, cramps- the list goes on… (Julie, 30 years old)
• Rash, constipation, gas, bloated feeling. (Crystal, 30 years old)
• Bloating, upset tummy, brain fog, exhaustion… (Abbie, 30 years old)
• Diarrhea, abdominal pain, discomfort. (Jana, 30 years old)
• Rash Bloating Constant abdominal pain Diarrhea Nausea Joint pain Etc. (T., 30 years old)
• Bloating, gas, diarrhea. (Kristen, 31 years old)
• None. (Vicki, 32 years old)
• Headaches, brain fog, peripheral neuropathy, gastrointestinal discomfort. (CD, 32 years old)
• Chronic Constipation, pain lasting two weeks after eating something with gluten or soy, massive bloating. (Christin, 32 years old)
• Stomach pain, brain fog, low iron, fatigue, anxiety. (Lori, 33 years old)
• Brain fog, mania, extreme badger crawling out of stomach pain. (Matt, 33 years old)
• Bloated, abdominal pain, diarrhea. (Diane, 33 years old)
• Upset stomach, bloating, brain fog, lethargy. (Kristen, 34 years old)
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hiccups, weight loss, irritability, excessive thirst, vaso vagal attacks. (Anna, 34 years old)
• Body aches, joint pain, stomach hurts, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, bad eyes, bad teeth. (Tiffanie, 34 years old)
• Digestive issues, mouth sores, purge gluten every way possible. (Jenn, 35 years old)
• Ulcerative colitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, pigmentation dispersion syndrome. (Mike H., 35 years old)
• Severe intestinal upset, fatigue, joint pain, brain fog. (Sarah, 36 years old)
• Diarrhea, headaches, bloating, fatigue, brain fog. (Sara F., 36 years old)
• Bloating, horrible pains, rash, putting weight loss, weight gain, diarrhea, brain fog, constipation, my mood swings, the list goes on. (Jennifer W., 37 years old)
• Bloating, wind, feeling sick, tired, brain fog, joint pain! (Sarah, 37 years old)
• Hoarse voice? (Wellesley, 37 years old)
• Diarrhea, weight loss, anaemia. (Bry, 38 years old)
• Bad stomach, rashes, severe headaches. (Melissa, 38 years old)
• Extreme diarrhea, gas, bloating, type 1 diabetes, anemia, malnourished, vit. deficient, extreme brain fog, serious arthritis in fingers, toes and ankles. (Charles, 39 years old)
• Diarrhea, heart burn, chicken skin, dry skin, headaches. (Becky, 41 years old)
• Anemia. (Val, 41 years old)
• I don’t have celiac; my 7-year-old son was recently diagnosed. He had no typical symptoms but he was unbearably picky and fickle when it came to food. And even on a gluten free diet, that hasn’t changed. They might not even be related! (Sara, 41 years old)
• Stomach issues, migraines, visual problems, dizziness, brain fog, joint pain, bowel issues. (Season B., 41 years old)
• Exhaustion, diarrhea, aches, vitamin deficiency, exhaustion, brain fog, exhaustion. (Melissa, 42 years old)
• Shortness of breath, rib pain, fatigue, brain fog, a feeling of acid reflux which was probably slow emptying of the stomach, anxiety, stomach bloating, overall inflammation/bloating (the shape of my face changed once gluten free), dry patches of skin on my face, dry eye, increased nasal mucus and sinus pressure, a weird pain in the thighs- there were so many that sometimes I forget some. (Shellie, 43 years old)
• Diarrhea, brain fog, chest pains. (Priscilla, 43 years old)
• Constipation, headaches, mouth ulcers. Stomach pains, anxiety. (Jane, 44 years old)
• Stomach pain, bloating, joint pain, headaches and more. (Nikki B., 44 years old)
• Stomach bloating, migraine, brain dancing (probably ataxia), anemia, fatigue, IBS. (Teresa, 45 years old)
• Frequent illness (common cold, UTIs, low immune system, etc), bloating, joint pain, acid reflux, chronic fatigue, migraines, infertility, some diarrhea /constipation, nausea, gut pain/cramps that had me doubled over in pain, a few years after being diagnosed and eating GF, I am experiencing anemia? (Martina, 45 years old)
• Stomach aches and stuffy nose, junky cough. (Susan H., 46 years old)
• Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea, headaches, tingling arms, mouth ulcers. (Rachel, 46 years old)
• Flatulece, iron and calcium deficiency, and bone pain. (Suad A., 46 years old)
• Stomach bloating, fatigue, weight gain, IBS symptoms and stomach pain. (Christina, 47 years old)
• Varies from gas, cramping, diarrhea. To extreme fatigue, joint pain, ringing in my ears and neuropathy in my feet. Vertigo and Ian sure there is more. (Sandra, 47 years old)
• Migraines, fatigue, bloating, constipation, joint pain, muscle pain, skin rashes, brain fog, feeling like someone drugged me… (Charlotte, 47 years old)
• Joint pain, hair loss, and tooth enamel problems. (Lisa M., 48 years old)
• Abdominal pain, gallbladder low functioning. (Olena, 48 years old)
• None (asymptomatic). (Rachel F., 49 years old)
• Indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, migraines, rashes, nerve damage in feet, tiredness, brain fog, muscle and joint aches, vomiting. (Holly, 51 years old)
• Using the toilet a lot. (Alison, 51 years old)
• Bloating, diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain. (Pattie N., 51 years old)
• Severe vomiting and diarrhea within 2 hours of consumption. (Patricia S., 52 years old)
• Bloated, pain in lower belly, constipation. (Dawn P., 53 years old)
• Pain, diarrhea, dermatitis, headaches, brain fog, fatigue, etc. (Shelley, 53 years old)
• Skin rash, brain fog, loose stools. (Guy, 53 years old)
• Bloating, stomach pains, constipation, low b12, osteopenic changes in spine, dairy intolerance. (Anonymous, 53 years old)
• Pain, runs, memory issues, bloating, Crohn’s, inflammation, nausea, muscle cramps, arthritis, joint pain. (Cheryl S., 54 years old)
• Stomach and intestinal cramping- loose bowels- head ache. (Ellen, 55 years old)
• Low iron. (Angela, 56 years old)
• Stomach ache, tiredness, diarrhea. (Jeanette, 56 years old)
• Gastrointestinal upset, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, noisy bowel, anemia, multiple vitamin deficiencies, brain fog, skin problems like rashes and psoriasis, numbness in hands. (Leigh, 57 years old)
• Pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation. (Diane, 57 years old)
• Gnawing stomach ache, joint pain and extreme fatigue/brain fog. (Bev C., 58 years old)
• Constipation, mouth ulcers. (Penny, 58 years old)
• Sickness, diarrhea. (Anonymous, 58 years old)
• Tired, anemia, underweight. (Jane S., 58 years old)
• Blisters, fatigue, joint pain, stomach cramping, severe memory issues and very rarely, diarrhea. (Tee, 58 years old)
• Weight loss, abdominal pain, low hemoglobin, bone mass loss. (Deb G., 58 years old)
• Anemia, severe abdominal pain, weight loss, tiredness, swollen abdomen, brain fog, swinging between diarrhea and constipation, mouth ulcers, weak teeth, weak nails, dry skin. (Maggie, 58 years old)
• Bloating, feeling tired, feeling sick.  (Paula, 59 years old)
• Constipation, stomach pain, mouth sores, anxiety. (Maryann, 59 years old)
• Headaches, runs, stomach cramps, joint pain. (Lynn, 60 years old)
• Weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, anemia, muscle pain, nerve damage, organ failure. (Susan, 60 years old)
• Stomach pains, diarrhea, brain fog, tiredness, nausea, shaking. (Jan S., 60 years old)
• Diarrhea, gas, bloating, inflamed joints, sleeplessness, osteoporosis. (Susan, 61 years old)
• C.D., also dermatitis herpetiformis. (Liz, 63 years old)
• Exhaustion, sickness, diarrhea, generally felt terrible. (Carol P., 63 years old)
• Stomach cramps, toilet runs, brain fog, vertigo. (Marjorie C., 64 years old)
• Bloating, fatigue, depression, headaches, brain fog. (Christine, 65 years old)
• None directly tied to CD; I believe I am asymptomatic apart from secondary effects. (Peggy, 65 years old)
• Constant nausea. (Toni E., 66 years old)
• My daughter age 30 has skin problems, had joint pain and many undiagnosed digestive issues. (Carol O., 66 years old)
• Serious gastro intestinal problems. Exacerbated acute diverticulitis with 22 hospitalizations. Auto immune symptoms. Ataxia. Brain fog. Muscle and joint pain. Peripheral Neuropathy. Rashes. Mouth ulcers. (Marion, 66 years old)
• Intestinal pain, cramping, diarrhea. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Stomach ache, fatigue, mental fuzziness, body aches. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Sickness. Diarrhea. (Irene W., 70 years old)
• Bloating, gas, diarrhea, nausea, low magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin D&B. (Barbara, 70 years old)
• Anemia, bloating, diarrhea, tiredness, skin problems, mouth ulcers. (Jenny, 71 years old)
• Weight loss, extreme diarrhea. (Betty L., 71 years old)
• In the beginning: rickets, severe anemia, atrophied villi and many gastric issues. Now, stunted villi, a few gastric issues, depression and fatigue. (Virginia B., 72 years old)
• A lot of pain and running to toilet. (Janet W., 73 years old)
• Multiple, from skin problems to brain problems. (James, 75 years old)
• Weight loss, leg cramps, anemic, excess gas. (Peter G., 77 years old)
• Fatigue. (Anonymous A)
• Stomach pain, loose stools, joint pain, DH rash, acid reflux, fatigue, brain fog, severe muscle cramps from dehydration. (Anonymous B)

Celiac Disease Causes

Is there anything you believe contributed to your (or your loved one’s) Celiac Disease?

• No – had issues since birth. (Casper, 1 year old)
• Perhaps my adverse vaccine reaction at six months old. (Noah, 3 years old)
• Nothing. (Molly-Grace, 3 years old)
• Sophie has Down syndrome. Coeliac disease is common with this syndrome. (Sophie, 5 years old)
• Norovirus and rotavirus. (Luke, 5 years old)
• Family history of autoimmune. (Lincoln, 6 years old)
• No. (Caleb I., 6 years old)
• I got quite ill when I was younger. (Lynn, 9 years old)
• Hive rash at 12 months, no symptoms beforehand, all started after this & diagnosed at 2 years. (Jack, 9 years old)
• No. (Alexandra, 11 years old)
• No, just a random coincidence. (Jack, 11 years old)
• Genetic- father and auntie have it. (Aoife, 12 years old)
• Possibly, my relatives, granddad and great aunts have diabetes and/or thyroid disease. I have thyroid disease. (Jodie M., 12 years old)
• No. (Justin, 13 years old)
• My grandmother has it. (Chloe L., 14 years old)
• My mum also has celiac disease. (Anonymous, 16 years old)
• Stress. (Tarryn, 19 years old old)
• Wonder bread/ cheap junk foods.(Marisa H., 19 years old)
• Genetics. (Lakin, 20 years old)
• I worked in Panera Bread. (Courtney B., 21 years old)
• Trauma and direct relatives having the condition. (Julie B., 23 years old)
• Stress. I didn’t become diagnosed until being in college and don’t remember having as severe of symptoms in high school or younger. (Brandee, 23 years old)
• It’s genetic. (Chris, 23 years old)
• Bread and pasta. Genetics. (Samantha, 23 years old)
• Born with it. (Zachary, 23 years old)
• I think that it ran in my family. (Brittany, 23 years old)
• I have another autoimmune disorder CRPS, and a genetic disorder dystonia. Both diagnosed before celiac disease. Both get worse when I get glutened. (Jessica, 25 years old)
• Childbirth kicked it into gear. (Ashley, 26 years old)
• Trauma from falling off horses. (Melissa B., 27 years old)
• Stress triggered. We had a family tragedy and then my mom and I both started having way more symptoms although hers were not obvious and more in her blood levels. (Danielle, 27 years old)
• No. (Vikki H., 28 years old)
• I have Turner Syndrome, which I understand is associated with being more likely to have Celiac Disease. (Haley B., 29 years old)
• No. (Julie, 30 years old)
• No, possibly genetics. (Crystal, 30 years old)
• The doctors denial to believe anything was wrong and left me living with it for 12 years! (Abbie, 30 years old)
• No. (Jana, 30 years old)
• Stressful lifestyle and eating a lot of processed foods as a child. (Kristen, 31 years old)
• No idea. (Vicki, 32 years old)
• Genetics. (CD, 32 years old)
• Hereditary. (Christin, 32 years old)
• I had a really terrible flu a couple years ago, I was out for two weeks and I was the most sick I’ve ever been and for months after I recovered I kept getting bouts of gut pain so intense I could hardly breathe which lead me to get it checked out and voila, celiac disease. It may be total baloney but I did find in my research a theory that a heavy illness can trigger it, so I have often wondered if there wasn’t a link between that flu and triggering it. (Lori, 33 years old)
• Genetics. (Matt, 33 years old)
• Stomach flu. (Diane, 33 years old)
• Heredity. (Kristen, 34 years old)
• Eating an excess of gluten in my diet. (Anna, 34 years old)
• Traumatic surgery. (Tiffanie, 34 years old)
• Two months preemie. (Jenn, 35 years old)
• I was born with it. My parents were given horrible advice and were told to just keep feeding me wheat and I’d get over my “allergy”. (Sarah, 36 years old)
• Pregnancy or h-pylori infection. (Sara F., 36 years old)
• That I was ill before it with diabetes threw my pregnancy and after I gave birth I started with diarrhea and all the other symptoms for the disease. (Jennifer W., 37 years old)
• Stress and joint auto immune disease. (Sarah, 37 years old)
• Pregnancy and stress? No clue. (Wellesley, 37 years old)
• Genetics. (Bry, 38 years old)
• Carrying twins / thyroid issues. (Melissa, 38 years old)
• Bad, bad luck of the draw. (Charles, 39 years old)
• Hashimoto’s Thyrositis. (Becky, 41 years old)
• Accutane. (Val, 41 years old)
• No. (Season B., 41 years old)
• Not that I’m aware of. I doubt that either my husband or I have it but we haven’t been tested yet. (Sara, 41 years old)
• Autoimmune disorders run in my family. I’m the first diagnosed with Celiac though. (Melissa, 42 years old)
• It is unclear how long I had it undiagnosed. At least 10 years, but possibly 20 years. Therefore, it’s difficult to know what may have triggered it. (Shellie, 43 years old)
• No. (Priscilla, 43 years old)
• Pregnancy. (Jane, 44 years old)
• Pregnancy. (Nikki B., 44 years old)
• Brain dancing is a major contributing factor to my celiac. I also run out of ideas when cooking all three meals per day. (Teresa, 45 years old)
• Genetics and also a summer of NSAIDS triggered a very bad period. (Susan H., 46 years old)
• Genetics, viral infection. (Rachel, 46 years old)
• Yes, my Psychological status at that time. (Suad A., 46 years old)
• I have hypothyroidism and graves’ disease as well. Both are auto immune diseases just as Celiac is. (Christina, 47 years old)
• Not really. (Charlotte, 47 years old)
• Having two stressful pregnancies close together. (Sandra, 47 years old)
• Genetics, long term vegetarianism. (Lisa M., 48 years old)
• Stress from taking care of my dying mother-in-law while home schooling and being pregnant. (Olena, 48 years old)
• No. (Alison, 51 years old)
• Genetics, pesticides, modern agriculture and trauma. (Patricia S., 52 years old)
• Father was always a sick man, I believe he had it but was never diagnosed. (Dawn P., 53 years old)
• High stress. (Shelley, 53 years old)
• Not really. (Guy, 53 years old)
• My mom mentioned that my grandfather could not eat my grandma’s biscuits or white bread without feeling sick. (Sara, 53 years old)
• A really bad eye infection (took 8-12 weeks to get rid of). (Anonymous, 53 years old)
• Stress makes anything worse. (Cheryl S., 54 years old)
• Stress. (Ellen, 55 years old)
• My mom was an undiagnosed celiac. (Angela, 56 years old)
• I now think my mom had it but was never diagnosed. (Jeanette, 56 years old)
• What came first…The chicken or the egg? Did I start with autoimmune diseases or did the celiac untreated for 20 years contribute to autoimmune issues? (Leigh, 57 years old)
• I don’t know. (Diane, 57 years old)
• A bad dentist/root canal issue triggered my celiac disease, or ‘woke it up’. (Bev C., 58 years old)
• No. (Penny, 58 years old)
• Genes. (Anonymous, 58 years old)
• No. (Jane S., 58 years old)
• Additional autoimmune diseases. (Tee, 58 years old)
• No, I have thyroiditis and it is another autoimmune disease. (Deb G., 58 years old)
• Can’t think of anything. (Paula, 59 years old)
• Ibuprofen use and too much wheat ingestion. (Maryann, 59 years old)
• Possible micro colitis. (Lynn, 60 years old)
• Hereditary. (Susan, 61 years old)
• No. (Liz, 63 years old)
• Might have had too much bread as a child. (Marjorie C., 64 years old)
• The only thing I can think of is that it is hereditary. My father died young but my mother lived until her 90’s and showed signs of it, but we put it down to her age as I hadn’t been diagnosed then. (Christine, 65 years old)
• Apart from the obvious–genes!–I am pretty sure the high carb/low fat recommendations and the preposterous Food Guide Pyramid of the 80s gave me the gift of CD. I had never cared for breads (much preferred potatoes) and ate a pretty healthy diet… until the U.S. Govt. (assisted by HUGE donations from companies like Nabisco and Kellogg) decided that in order to be healthy and prevent heart disease we needed to eat lots and lots of cereal grains and cut back on meats and fats. Believing I needed to eat right in order to optimize my health, I followed the recommended guidelines. In short order I developed asthma, then CD, then a domino effect of other diagnoses (including osteoporosis). My chart now has 18 or 19 chronic diagnoses listed on it. (Peggy, 65 years old)
• Nothing. (Toni E., 66 years old)
• Heredity. (Carol O., 66 years old)
• I have the two genes for CD so all it required was the trigger to activate the genes. This could have been stress and also exposure to huge amounts of gluten: breads, pastas ( all now made with modern strains of high yield wheat) and all the hidden gluten in modern food products. (Marion, 66 years old)
• Hereditary. My sister also has it. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Traumatic injury. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• We have a history of autoimmune disease in the family. (Irene W., 70 years old)
• Genetic, my aunt had it and I am sure my Mom did to. (Barbara, 70 years old)
• Trauma and stress, thyroid problems, my immune system is rubbish. (Jenny, 71 years old)
• Six weeks of antibiotic injections for pneumonia when i was a child. (Betty L., 71 years old)
• No. (Virginia B., 72 years old)
• Monsanto’s glyphosate. Ignorance of how bad sugar is for you. (James, 75 years old)

Celiac Disease Interesting Facts

What are some interesting things you’ve learned about Celiac Disease?

• How many people are undiagnosed for so long. How many doctors are unaware of signs and symptoms of coeliac disease. (Heidi, 1 year old)
• Availability of products. (Casper, 1 year old)
• Gluten free food can be yummy! (Bella, 3 years old)
• Even if I don’t get a rash, it’s still damaging my insides. (Noah, 3 years old)
• What it can cause. (Molly-Grace, 3 years old)
• That everyone’s symptoms are completely different. (Joshua, 3 years old)
• How you don’t always have GI symptoms. (Luke, 5 years old)
• Resistance to Hep B vaccine. (Lincoln, 6 years old)
• It can effect even in the womb. (Caleb I., 6 years old)
• HepB immunization was lost, needed to repeat mine. (Elli, 7 years old)
• The possibility of there being an injection that would mean I could have gluten. (Jack, 11 years old)
• A lot of people have the symptoms but aren’t tested for CD. You can continue using your usual recipes but substitute GF alternatives. (Aoife, 12 years old)
• What it does to me, things I’ve learned about my body, what’s in food. (Jodie M., 12 years old)
• How it can effect people in different ways. (Chloe L., 14 years old)
• How it affects the whole body, physically, internally, mentally. (Alicia P., 16 years old)
• How food has such a big impact on your health and the way you feel. (Anonymous, 16 years old)
• I have learned that it is something that is not as easily recognized because there are so many symptoms. (Madalyn, 19 years old)
• What we can’t have. (Tarryn, 19 years old)
• Soy is a huge cross contaminant. (Marisa H., 19 years old)
• How little it takes to set a person off. (Lakin, 20 years old)
• Eating gluten free is the only treatment. (Courtney B., 21 years old)
• It greatly effects your nervous system. (Chris, 23 years old)
• Celiac disease affects everyone differently- from very violent reactions, to subtle symptoms. Runs in families. (Julie B., 23 years old)
• It can be hereditary- yet no one in my family has it. You have higher risk for miscarriages and cancers. (Brandee, 23 years old)
• How many symptoms there are. It can take years to heal depending on your severity. Italy tests you and gives you a stipend for food if you’re a citizen. (Samantha, 23 years old)
• How is effects mostly every part of your body. (Brittany, 23 years old)
• That it can have neurological symptoms. (Jessica, 25 years old)
• You can have it without thinking you have symptoms. (Ashley, 26 years old)
• Your body can heal. How many people Celiac Disease truly affects. (Melissa B., 27 years old)
• You can be more succeptible to other autoimmune diseases!!!! I may have another… I’m looking into more tests. (Danielle, 27 years old)
• Best places to shop for the food. (Vikki H., 28 years old)
• I didn’t know that it actually damaged your digestive system. Or that you can become malnourished from not absorbing the nutrients the body needs. (Haley B., 29 years old)
• It can cause a mountain of issues. Strange small little things that I had no idea were related. (Julie, 30 years old)
• It is an autoimmune disease, not an allergy, and is correlated to many other autoimmune diseases, and is often misdiagnosed. (Crystal, 30 years old)
• How it’s linked to so many other medical conditions. (Abbie, 30 years old)
• Learning about foods that you would not expect to have gluten in them. (Jana, 30 years old)
• That it is genetic but nobody in my family has it. (Kristen, 31 years old)
• How long it takes your gut to recover if gluten is eaten. (Vicki, 32 years old)
• It affects people differently. (CD, 32 years old)
• Nothing comes to mind really, just that the human body can be a crazy, temperamental thing! (Lori, 33 years old)
• Multiple/different symptoms for Celiac. (Matt, 33 years old)
• Related to other autoimmune diseases. (Diane, 33 years old)
• That the disease can have different symptoms. My mom was diagnosed with celiac in 2002 but since we had very different symptoms the doctors didn’t think I had it until they finally tested me in 2008. I think I was tested for just about everything else before a new doctor finally figured it out. (Kristen, 34 years old)
• How varied it is across individuals. (Anna, 34 years old)
• It has many symptoms and they vary from person to person. (Tiffanie, 34 years old)
• It’s an auto immune disease. (Austin E., 36 years old)
• The number of symptoms and ailments caused by celiac. (Sara F., 36 years old)
• That eating it ain’t good. (Jennifer W., 37 years old)
• That I’m not going mad and brain fog does exist. (Sarah, 37 years old)
• Soy sauce … Sad sushi obsessed friend. (Wellesley, 37 years old)
• The connection with my thyroid issue. (I also had thyroid cancer). (Melissa, 38 years old)

  Strangers seem to be more understanding about it than close family. A lot of Celiac Disease folks are extremely bitter and angry. (Charles, 39 years old)
• It’s so very different for everyone. (Val, 41 years old)
• Wheat is in everything. (Season B., 41 years old)
• I was sad to learn that it’s not reversible. My son has a few other disorders that he may outgrow but this is a lifetime condition. (Sara, 41 years old)
• A side effects: colon cancer, bone loss. This is no joke. (Melissa, 42 years old)
• The interconnected nature of other health issues. My graves disease, according to Dr. Green’ s book, was likely caused by celiac. I have also had many issues with allergy symptoms since going gluten free and I believe I have a histamine intolerance. This also seems to be popular among the celiac community, most likely due to damage in the gut and the inability to produce the enzyme that clears histamine out of the body (DAO), which is produced in the gut. I would really like someone to do more research on that particular connection. (Shellie, 43 years old)
• How many symptoms there are, how it affects people differently. (Priscilla, 43 years old)
• Many of my symptoms were a direct result of my disease I wouldn’t have thought of. (Nikki B., 44 years old)
• It can attack ANY TIME and it often wins even though I stay GF. It is autoimmune, and it just decides to either leave alone or attack. To this day, I am stuck with brain dancing, which I really hate. (Teresa, 45 years old)
• Food you might assume is GF, isn’t necessarily so. You always risk cross-contamination, depending on how & where something is processed. Cheese, yogurt, dressings can have gluten in them. (Martina, 45 years old)
• That sometimes I can eat it with few symptoms, and other times it hits like a truck. (Susan H., 46 years old)
• Finding new adventurous gluten free foods. (Rachel, 46 years old)
• How celiac disease is related to other different illnesses. Also how celiac desease can occur at any age, not just in infants. (Suad A., 46 years old)
• Like anything you adapt, and support from good friends and family helps. (Christina, 47 years old)
• I don’t know about interesting, but I’m amazed at how many things have gluten in them. (Charlotte, 47 years old)
• Just all the problems it can cause and how many people including Dr. Do not know about the disease. (Sandra, 47 years old)
• That other diseases are caused by celiac, that celiac is never routinely screened for, that most doctors know very little about celiac disease. That many neurological problems are caused by gluten. (Olena, 48 years old)
• Stress? (Rachel F., 49 years old)
• That gluten can hide in anything. (Holly, 51 years old)
• Celiac Disease is hereditary. (Alison, 51 years old)
• That everyone’s struggles are different and that it’s nice to have a support system. (Pattie N., 51 years old)
• It has a lot of different symptoms and many people do not suffer outward effects, but the underlying internal damage is the same. (Patricia S., 52 years old)
• People- even family- think it’s a phase, even though I’ve been Celiac for 25 years and hospitalized 3 times. (Dawn P., 53 years old)
• I didn’t realize it caused joint pain. (Shelley, 53 years old)
• How much celiac disease can affect all parts of your body. (Guy, 53 years old)
• That even a hamburger party can make me sick. Dog treats can leave residue on your hands and make you sick. (Sara, 53 years old)
• It is undiagnosed in lots of people, it leads to other conditions. (Anonymous, 53 years old)
• That a lot of the symptomology I was experiencing with celiac. (Cheryl S., 54 years old)
• The many different symptoms and different reactions to list. (Angela, 56 years old)
• You can never be too careful. Not everyone really cares about your need to be gluten free. Untreated celiac disease leads to a whole list of medical problems you wouldn’t think possible. (Leigh, 57 years old)
• It is mostly diagnosed in middle age. (Diane, 57 years old)
• Food is better without gluten. People can be ignorant. (Bev C., 58 years old)
• Some symptoms. (Penny, 58 years old)
• Associated problems. (Anonymous, 58 years old)
• Even when there are no obvious signs, ingesting gluten still causes damage. (Jane S. 58 years old)
• It has so many symptoms other than digestive. (Tee, 58 years old)
• It often is the last thing your doctor checks for, I went through GI specialists, oncology doctors before the 3rd oncologist sent my to GI. (Deb G., 58 years old)
• That’s it’s linked to thyroid disease, which runs in my family. (Maggie, 58 years old)
• The amount of people who have it and the amount misdiagnosed. (Paula, 59 years old)
• That it sucks and it effects more than your stomach. (Maryann. 59 years old)
• Eating clean. (Lynn, 60 years old)
• Gluten free doesn’t always mean gluten free. (Jan S., 60 years old)
• I didn’t realize so many other illnesses where caused by Celiac. (Susan, 61 years old)
• Cross contamination, and that every persons has different symptoms. (Liz, 63 years old)
• The new injection on trial. (Marjorie C. 64 years old)
• Newer research is fascinating, including the process by which zonulin regulates what does/does not pass the gut barrier. (Peggy, 65 years old)
• Never knew what it was. (Toni E., 66 years old)
• Very under-diagnosed in North America. (Carol O., 66 years old)
• I’ve had it for years and was only diagnosed this year. I had been diagnosed with numerous auto immune illnesses and was being treated with immuno suppressants but still had serious gastro intestinal symptoms and frequent hospitalizations. Since strict adherence to GF I am symptom free and have been able to reduce dosage of medications. I am astonished at the enormous range of items which contain gluten, quite unnecessarily in my view. Also, at the low level of understanding about the disease in spite of 1 in 100 being coeliac. (Marion, 66 years old)
• That it can eventually cause stomach cancer. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• When dining out if you are getting a steak or anything that comes from the grill ask the manger to have it grilled on tinfoil. Save all your cookie crumbs in a bag in the freezer, when you have enough chop them fine and use them like graham cracker crumbs to make a pie crust. (Barbara, 70 years old)
• Feeling better, how people think we will get better. (Jenny, 71 years old)
• 1/16th tsp. of gluten can damage your gut for 6 months. (Virginia B., 72 years old)
• Never take risks. (Janet W., 73 years old)
• Heavy gluten consumers have an aura about them that makes them unpleasant to be with. (James, 75 years old)
• We are not the only people who cannot eat wheat. (Peter G., 77 years old)
• That it is a quality of life destroyer. (Anonymous B)

Celiac Disease Difficulties

What are the most difficult aspects of living with Celiac Disease?

• Cross contamination. (Heidi, 1 year old)
• Trying to help a child who can’t communicate what’s wrong. (Casper, 1 year old)
• Cross contamination. Going out for meals. (Bella, 3 years old)
• Restaurants: cross contamination, lack of understanding. (Noah, 3 years old)
• Eating out. (Molly-Grace, 3 years old)
• Being made to feel different from other people. Birthday parties are the worst. (Joshua, 3 years old)
• Speaking as the parent, trusting someone else with her diet; finding child-friendly gluten free meals out and about. (Sophie, 5 years old)
• Cross contamination when outside of the home. (Luke, 5 years old)
• Frustration when others are enjoying something I can’t have. (Lincoln, 6 years old)
• Shopping for Gluten free items, eating out because of the risk of cross contamination in the kitchen. Birthday parties in and out of school, school kitchen’s because of cross contamination risks. (Caleb I., 6 years old)
• Going out to dinner. (Elli, 7 years old)
• Not being able to eat gluten. (Lynn, 9 years old)
• Eating out, ignorance & not being the same as his mates. (Jack, 9 years old)
• The bloated belly still hasn’t gone three years down the line. My friends don’t invite me out because I cannot eat with them. (Alexandra, 11 years old)
• Terrible bread that falls to pieces. Sometimes not being to have stuff at restaurants. (Jack, 11 years old)
• Eating out, going to friends’ houses for tea and parties. (Aoife, 12 years old)
• The lack of tasty food and my parents have to travel 16 miles to get me food from Tesco. (Jodie M., 12 years old)
• Not being able to eat my favorite foods. (Justin, 13 years old)
• Not being able to eat what my friends eat. (Chloe L., 14 years old)
• The price and convenience of gluten free food, family and friends not understanding and making meals with them very hard. (Alicia P., 16 years old)
• Eating out or traveling. (Anonymous, 16 years old)
• Being silently judged when going out to eat with others. (Madalyn, 19 years old)
• Fatigue. (Tarryn, 19 years old)
• Finding safe foods. (Marisa H., 19 years old)
• Eating out safely, and working after being glutenated. (Lakin, 20 years old)
• Eating out. (Courtney B., 21 years old)
• The Anxiety, which makes you depressed. Lol always being scared of all food, never wanting to eat, social situations. (Chris, 23 years old)
• Ignorance towards the disease while eating out. (Julie B., 23 years old)
• 1. Going out to eat with friends and family who don’t understand your diagnosis or the importance of eating right. 2. Feeling like you are an inconvenience to those people or restaurants when you say you have celiac. (Brandee, 23 years old)
• Eating with friends or on the road. (Samantha, 23 years old)
• Finding GF bread that tastes good. (Zachary, 23 years old)
• Social situations. (Brittany, 23 years old)
• Other people cooking, going abroad, food in the office. (Beth, 24 years old)
• Risk of cross contamination, and having to go to school and function when I get glutened. (Jessica, 25 years old)
• Trying to always eat GF. (Ashley, 26 years old)
• Educating people, labeling regulations, cost of GF food. (Melissa B., 27 years old)
• Eating out/social gatherings with food. (Danielle, 27 years old)
• Going out for a meal. (Vikki H., 28 years old)
• Learning how to cook with gluten-free products, and financially as gluten-free products are so much more expensive. (Haley B., 29 years old)
• Eating out, work dinners/luncheons, etc. (Julie, 30 years old)
• Not being able to eat anything, whenever; going to parties. (Crystal, 30 years old)
• Going out to eat anywhere… whether that being at a restaurant or a friend’s house. (Abbie, 30 years old)
• Going out to eat, travel – not having enough gluten free options and worrying about cross contamination. (Jana, 30 years old)
• the social dynamic of food (I do not eat out at all) No spontaneous meals or fast food splurges. (T., 30 years old)
• Always needing a restroom due to unexpected and urgent needs. (Kristen, 31 years old)
• Cross contamination when you feel no symptoms. (Vicki, 32 years old)
• Having to be so careful with food intake–going out to eat, eating at a friend’s house, etc. You have to plan for everything. (CD, 32 years old)
• Trying to explain to others about my gluten & soy “allergy” and they don’t even begin to understand cross contamination. (Christin, 32 years old)
• The fear of developing additional conditions that can happen with celiac, such as cancer, infertility, additional autoimmune disorders, etc. Eating in restaurants is a pain, you’re never really sure if the food you’re eating is okay. Ignorant or nasty comments and public backlash against gluten free or food allergies in particular. It seems to be a collective public trend to belittle dietary choices that limit tasty foods or God forbid, ones that request some sort of compliance or sacrifice by others. The worst example I’ve experienced was when a family member of mine told a friend “Lori found out she can’t eat gluten,” this family member joked to me that the person responded by taking a big bite of a bread stick and joked “Sucks to be her!” Um, yeah, yeah it does, thanks. (Lori, 33 years old)
• Feeling relaxed at gatherings with food/eating out with groups of people. (Matt, 33 years old)
• Eating out. (Diane, 33 years old)
• Feeling like an inconvenience when going to a friend’s house or out to eat. (Kristen, 34 years old)
• Eating out and social events, and the lack of knowledge and understanding. (Anna, 34 years old)
• When you realize you may never have your favorite foods again. (Tiffanie, 34 years old)
• Traveling- not being able to try the local cuisine. (Jenn, 35 years old)
• There are times when it is difficult to not eat the same thing as everyone else. In general it isn’t very bad. (Mike H., 35 years old)
• Lack of spontaneity & options. Impacts my social life SO much. (Sarah, 36 years old)
• Fear of cross contamination. People don’t understand how little it takes to make me very sick. (Sara F., 36 years old)
• Eating with family or friends, or eating out. (Jennifer W., 37 years old)
• Eating out. (Sarah, 37 years old)
• Sauces … And being a good role model for my son. (Wellesley, 37 years old)
• Restriction of diet and choice away from home. (Bry, 38 years old)
• Having to make sure restaurant staff understands my needs whenever I eat out. (Melissa, 38 years old)
• Ease of going out of town and snacking. (Charles, 39 years old)
• Eating out. (Becky, 41 years old)
• Eating out. (Val, 41 years old)
• Social situations. (Season B., 41 years old)
• Charlie has mostly handled it very well but has had a couple of small meltdowns, like when he realized Cheezits are not gluten free. That was a rough day. (Sara, 41 years old)
• Confusion – what’s safe? Food/eating out aren’t FUN any more. Stressful. (Melissa, 42 years old)
• Amid the gluten free diet trend, I don’t think people realize the profound medical impact that the smallest amount of gluten has on us. (Shellie, 43 years old)
• Convenient eating. (Priscilla, 43 years old)
• Eating out. (Jane, 44 years old)
• Finding food substitutions I like and price of food. (Nikki B., 44 years old)
• Flare up inflammation as if I am too late for this; doctors not understanding me, friends not including me to dinner; cross contamination is a major obstacle. (Teresa, 45 years old)
• Family holidays and gatherings. I’ve learned to pack a cooler for day trips and long weekends away. (Martina, 45 years old)
• Not being able to eat out without hassle. (Susan H., 46 years old)
• Avoiding cross contamination. (Rachel, 46 years old)
• Explaining to people that gluten harms my body. (Suad A., 46 years old)
• Learning how to cook again so you can eat while trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. (Christina, 47 years old)
• Fitting in during social events, grocery shopping, effects of exposure, uneducated servers. (Charlotte, 47 years old)
• Not being able to eat what everyone else eats. Education people about my disease. (Sandra, 47 years old)
• Explaining to others. (Lisa M., 48 years old)
• Eating with family or friends. (Olena, 48 years old)
• Eating at friends’ houses. (Rachel F., 49 years old)
• Eating, accidentally ingesting gluten, whether eating out or at a friend’s house. (Holly, 51 years old)
• Eating out. (Alison, 51 years old)
• Eating out and making people understand that I can’t just eat a little bit. (Pattie N., 51 years old)
• None. (Patricia S., 52 years old)
• Having to defend yourself about what you eat. (Dawn P., 53 years old)
• Social activities. (Shelley, 53 years old)
• Eating while traveling, banquets. (Guy, 53 years old)
• It’s hard to plan ahead when you might have to cancel. (Sara, 53 years old)
• Eating out. (Anonymous, 53 years old)
• When the options are not available, when they know you have celiac and don’t make the accommodations, etc. (Cheryl S., 54 years old)
• Others do not understand the pain and difficulty being gluten free. (Ellen, 55 years old)
• Going out, as it almost always is centered around food. (Angela, 56 years old)
• Not being able to find bread which doesn’t need toasting to be edible. (Jeanette, 56 years old)
• Being glutened when you do your best to be totally gluten free, but you get cross contaminated. Also wanting to just grab a quick bite somewhere that is safe. Seeing foods you would love to have, but can’t. Being at a meeting or party where there is nothing safe to eat. Living in a home that is not 100% gluten free. (Leigh, 57 years old)
• Trusting others to make meals for me or cross contamination fear. (Diane, 57 years old)
• Fatigue. (Bev C., 58 years old)
• Food shopping, especially buying food on the go. (Penny, 58 years old)
• Immediate diarrhea. (Anonymous, 58 years old)
• Eating out. (Jane S., 58 years old)
• Being glutened by mistake even when you think you were safe. (Tee, 58 years old)
• Gets easier all the time but finding foods at gatherings that are safe for me to eat. (Deb G., 58 years old)
• Eating out or in hospital. (Maggie, 58 years old)
• I hate having to check every item for GF and the expense. Eating out because of cross contamination. (Paula, 59 years old)
• Lack of freedom. (Maryann, 59 years old)
• Not being able to eat a lot of things. (Lynn, 60 years old)
• The foolish belief that “a little bit can’t hurt”, even the 20ppm is too much. (Susan, 60 years old)
• Finding a place to eat when out and then trusting them when you do. I have diabetes type 2 and find it hard to cater for both. (Jan S., 60 years old)
• Eating out – restaurants and relative’s homes. (Susan, 61 years old)
• I have to take strong anti-rejection type drugs for my second condition, also everyday life is hard- it is not safe to eat out or eat other people’s food, cross contamination is hard for others to understand, so going out even for coffee can be a trial. (Liz, 63 years old)
• Not been able to eat what I used to. (Carol P., 63 years old)
• Being able to eat out safe. (Marjorie C., 64 years old)
• Not being able to go into any cafe or restaurant without having to research the area first in great detail to see if they cater for celiacs and also if there is anything that I would want to eat if they do. (Christine, 65 years old)
• 1. Spontaneity goes out the window when CD comes into one’s life. Planning is a must. 2. Travel becomes much more difficult, especially international travel. 3. No one EVER invites you over for a meal. 4. We always, always, ALWAYS live with the risk of being poisoned, even by accident. (Peggy, 65 years old)
• I don’t find it difficult. (Toni E., 66 years old)
• Sticking to the diet and modifying recipes. (Carol O., 66 years old)
• Eating out. Buying food. The modern craze for GF as a “lifestyle choice”, and cross contamination in supermarkets, food production, restaurants and cafes. People seem unaware that cross contamination is a most serious danger to celiacs. (Marion, 66 years old)
• Eating out. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Social eating. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Not being able to eat anything I fancy, the cost of Celiac foods, and eating out. (Irene W., 70 years old)
• Pot luck dinners, or eating out with friends. (Barbara, 70 years old)
• Shopping, eating out, feeling odd, contamination, too much fat and sugar in food. (Jenny, 71 years old)
• Cooking separate meals from rest of family plus extra cost of gluten free food. (Betty L., 71 years old)
• Eating out. (Virginia B., 72 years old)
• Eating out. (Janet W., 73 years old)
• Getting those not afflicted to understand that I really do have a problem. (James, 75 years old)
• Passing a bakery. (Peter G., 77 years old)
• Eating out. (Anonymous A)
• Feeling sick on a regular basis and fearing food. Many restaurant limitations. Restaurant staff rarely take the disease seriously, due to all the fad dieters. I have seen staff roll their eyes at each other (or snicker) as soon as I say the word “gluten”. (Anonymous B)

Celiac Disease Advice

What words of advice/encouragement could you give someone recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease?

• You will be ok. (Heidi, 1 year old)
• Don’t feel you have to miss out, there is always a way to adapt food to suit. (Casper, 1 year old)
• You get used to it and indeed find new foods you’ve never tried previously! The main thing is you will feel so much better. (Bella, 3 years old)
• At first you see all the stuff you can’t have, but soon you’ll stop seeing it that way and find substitutes for everything. (Noah, 3 years old)
• It’s a learning curve, but so many people are there to support you. (Molly-Grace, 3 years old)
• It’s not as bad as you first think, most restaurants are really accommodating and will cater for coeliacs so you can live your life as normal. (Joshua, 3 years old)
• Don’t just buy food from the gluten free aisle. Check ingredients on other foods too. They are often cheaper than the “gluten free” brands. (Sophie, 5 years old)
• It’s overwhelming at first, then you realize a lot of what you eat/cook is already GF. You may just need to tweak something. (Luke, 5 years old)
• It gets easier! Feeling better is worth the sacrifices on what you can eat. (Lincoln, 6 years old)
• You’re perfect the way you are. It may seem difficult at first, but you’ll adjust and be just fine! (Caleb I., 6 years old)
• Go to Yorica, Pizza Express and Sugar Daddy’s. Or, if you live in Victoria, BC Canada then Origins or Sante. There is also a good gluten free cafe in Gent. (Lynn, 9 years old)
• You are not alone & it’s not as hard as you first think. If you need to ask questions, please do. (Jack, 9 years old)
• If you keep to the diet then you will feel much better, don’t cheat! (Alexandra, 11 years old)
• Good luck and it will get better. Today the food is a lot better and I think it will continue to get better to the point where everywhere will have gluten free. (Jack, 11 years old)
• You will get used to it after a while. (Aoife, 12 years old)
• There are lots of food out there, but you have to look, and cooking things from scratch is cheaper and tastier. (Jodie M., 12 years old)
• There’s a lot of places to eat and foods to eat that cater to us. There are so many options. (Justin, 13 years old)
• It feels like the end of the world, but it’s not. (Chloe L., 14 years old)
• It’s hard, but if you push through the difficult the result is amazing. (Alicia P., 16 years old)
• Being diagnosed is amazing because you finally know what is making you unwell and once you follow a strict gluten free diet you begin to feel good again. (Anonymous, 16 years old)
• Don’t let what other people think or say get in your head. Some people may not believe why you have to be Gluten Free, but there are people who will support you. Let them support you and think of encouraging thoughts. (Madalyn, 19 years old)
• Be strict, be faithful and look after yourself. (Tarryn, 19 years old)
• Mild inconvenience or working around the toilet? You pick. (Marisa H., 19 years old)
• Keep your head held high, things only get better. (Lakin, 20 years old)
• Eat as naturally and unprocessed as possible. Learn to cook at home from scratch. (Julie B., 23 years old)
• Do not let it define you! Don’t be afraid to educate others about how it specifically effects YOU, then they can have a better understanding of how to help! With consistency, it does and WILL get better!! (Brandee, 23 years old)
• Keep your head up it gets better. Be true to your diet no matter how nuts it sounds, even though you’ll be sad for months that you’ll never taste a McDonald’s French fry again. It’s all worth it. The quality of life is worth it. (Chris, 23 years old)
• It will be a process, but it will be ok. Find a supportive group of friends, family, or find a local group dedicated to Celiac Disease support. (Samantha, 23 years old)
• Get yourself familiar with foods that are GF. (Zachary, 23 years old)
• You will get used to this diet and at the end you will feel much better. (Brittany, 23 years old)
• Start basic and fresh. Make sure those around you understand. (Beth, 24 years old)
• The first two weeks you’ll feel awful and you’ll crave glutenous junk food. Don’t be tempted to cheat. Have gluten free alternatives in the house to avoid giving in to the temptation. It gets easier over time. You will make mistakes and learn from them. (Jessica, 25 years old)
• It’s life changing. (Melissa B., 27 years old)
• It gets better!!! It’s second nature and not overwhelming. Trust your gut. If it doesn’t “feel” safe, don’t eat it!!!!! Not worth it. Don’t feel like you are hurting people’s feelings if they make something “gluten free” for you…you have no idea what goes on in their kitchen. Just bring your own food everywhere you don’t feel safe and always have emergency snacks on hand! (Danielle, 27 years old)
• Go on Celiac UK. (Vikki H., 28 years old)
• That the effort you put into your eating habits and lifestyle will be worth it when you see so many symptoms start to disappear. Three weeks in, my skin is clearing up, the swelling in my legs and feet is improving, and my stomach feels so much better! My clothes are fitting better, and I can feel the bloating leaving also. Ask for help if you need it. You’re worth it. (Haley B., 29 years old)
• Be proactive. Eat the fresh foods. Research, research, research. (Julie, 30 years old)
• There may be accidental “Glutening”, and it’s ok. It does get easier as you go and many things that you might miss are made in a GF version. Don’t go crazy on foods marked GF at first, just because they say GF, as there are a lot of foods that are naturally GF, or even foods that you might not think of that are GF. (Crystal, 30 years old)
• There is a light at the end of the tunnel… just keep going! (Abbie, 30 years old)
• I know it’s hard and it will be hard for a while, but your body will start to feel better. Don’t get discouraged when you get glutened, it happens to everybody. (Jana, 30 years old)
• Take bits and pieces from blogs and recipes and it will all get better. (Kristen, 31 years old)
• It gets easier! Talk to people, don’t be afraid to ask. (Vicki, 32 years old)
• It does get easier. You won’t starve, and you won’t break the bank. There is life after CD diagnosis. (CD, 32 years old)
• Look at it not as a restriction of foods you can’t have anymore, try to look at it as an opportunity to eat healthier. I know it’s hard some days, but keep your spirits up, try to laugh it off; I found a funny quote shortly after my diagnosis that helped me smile instead of dwell on it: Celiac Disease – Because the only thing tough enough to kick my a** is me! (Lori, 33 years old)
• Check your soap, shampoo and lotion. (Matt, 33 years old)
• It gets easier! (Diane, 33 years old)
• It is ok to mourn the foods you can no longer eat. I take comfort in knowing that I feel SO much better, and when I accidentally ingest gluten and feel miserable it is a reminder of how I used to feel all the time. For me, the sacrifice is worth it. Eventually you can find replacements for most things. (Kristen, 34 years old)
• It gets easier! (Anna, 34 years old)
• It’s ok to cry & be sad, but don’t stay in that place of sadness. There are GF options, it just takes some getting used to. All the info will not be discovered over night, so don’t be hard on yourself. (Tiffanie, 34 years old)
• It gets easier and then it becomes normal. But take it seriously. (Jenn, 35 years old)
• Find friends who are knowledgeable that they can talk to if having difficulty. (Mike H., 35 years old)
• It takes some time to acclimate, but it’s totally possible to eat great with celiac disease. (Austin E., 36 years old)
• Get as much information as possible, get multiple opinions from medical professionals, some are more knowledgeable than others. (Sara F., 36 years old)
• It will feel like your world has ended at first!! But stick to it and you will feel better, and don’t blame yourself for accidentally eating gluten!! When I was first diagnosed I went through a stage of anger and ate whatever I wanted!! But in the end I realized my body feels better without wheat or gluten!! Stay strong. (Jennifer W., 37 years old)
• It really does get easier to change your diet! (Sarah, 37 years old)
• Knowledge takes time, forgive yourself. (Wellesley, 37 years old)
• Deep breathe. It gets easier. (Bry, 38 years old)
• In this day in age it’s not difficult to avoid gluten as long as you read labels, ask questions and speak up when eating outside of the house. (Melissa, 38 years old)
• It is ok to be angry and depressed about it at first, but embrace it. People, including family, aren’t going to understand what you have to go through, but it will be okay. Read EVERYTHING. Expect to spend at least double the time in the grocery store you do now. The first time we went grocery shopping, it took us over 3 hours reading labels. Avoid store brand, as most of the time they contain traces of gluten. Avoid all of the frozen pre-made foods, most are blah, and way too expensive. Go with whole naturally gluten free foods, and learn to love to cook. (Charles, 39 years old)
• Don’t trust food at potlucks. (Season B., 41 years old)
• This is the perfect time to be gf. There are countless options. Almost everything has a gf counterpart these days. (Except egg challah. So I wouldn’t mention that.) (Sara, 41 years old)
• See a dietician who SPECIALIZES in celiac. Ask for support from loved ones. Use medical advice first – question anecdotal advice. Listen to your body. Exercise. (Melissa, 42 years old)
• Go whole foods at first if you can stand it! Be patient. It took me a full year to feel good once going gluten free. When I changed my diet at first, I became even more fatigued as my body went into repair mode. A naturopath may also be a better idea than seeing a nutritionist as well. (Shellie, 43 years old)
• Mourn the loss of beloved foods, then move forward and embrace your new lifestyle. The quicker you take the reigns on your diet change, and don’t rely on, or get offended by, others catering to you, the better off you will be. Focus on what you can have, not on what you can’t. You may have the disease, but do not let the disease have you. It’s okay to have pity parties once in awhile, but don’t stay there. (Priscilla, 43 years old)
• It will be worth it in the long run as you will feel like a new person in a few months time. (Jane, 44 years old)
• Learn to eat to live and not live to eat. (Nikki B., 44 years old)
• Live it through and deal with the crap on a daily basis; if I don’t, this is going to be depressing, so be active and keep going. (Teresa, 45 years old)
• Hang tough….you can do this! It seems overwhelming at first, but it is very “do-able” and very worth it! (Martina, 45 years old)
• Clean out gluten from your house if you can. Make your own bread. It gets much easier. (Susan H., 46 years old)
• It gets easier, and foods are improving. (Rachel, 46 years old)
• You are not alone my friend, and remember that what you eat is much better and healthy than what other people do. (Suad A., 46 years old)
• Look forward, do your research and you’ll be fine. (Christina, 47 years old)
• Start with raw fresh foods, then experiment with adding things slowly. It’s frustrating, but you’re not alone. (Charlotte, 47 years old)
• Hang in there it gets better. There is so much more information and products out there now than when I was first diagnosed. (Sandra, 47 years old)
• Be patient, you will feel better. (Lisa M., 48 years old)
• Go on straight fruits, vegetables & meat that you prepare yourself, take probiotics and digestive enzymes. Avoid all grains, dairy, and packaged gluten free prepared foods. Give your guts a chance to heal. Subscribe to a gluten free magazine, join a club, read books on celiac, and take it slow learning what foods are safe. Don’t trust everyone who says it’s gluten free. (Olena, 48 years old)
• It really isn’t a problem. There is nothing that I miss as I think GF bread tastes fine. Think about what you can eat rather than what you can’t. (Rachel F., 49 years old)
• You will feel better if you just stick to your diet, no matter how difficult it is. (Holly, 51 years old)
• It’s very hard at first, do lots of reading and join groups. (Alison, 51 years old)
• Read everything and never assume because it was ok last time it is OK now. Ingredients change. (Pattie N., 51 years old)
• Eat clean, you’ll feel better and it gets easier with time. (Patricia S., 52 years old)
• If you follow your proper diet you will feel really good, but it takes time. (Dawn P., 53 years old)
• Hang in there, it does get easier. (Shelley, 53 years old)
• Find out as much as you can. Learn to cook for yourself and your family. (Sara, 53 years old)
• It’s daunting at first, but it gets easier. Try to eat naturally gluten free, and always read the labels. (Anonymous, 53 years old)
• Patience, and that some people even your own family sometimes, just don’t get by. (Cheryl S., 54 years old)
• There are tons of gluten free mixes and recipes that are so easy- the lifestyle change is difficult, but the pain and suffering are much worse. (Ellen, 55 years old)
• It does get easier, especially when you start feeling better. (Angela, 56 years old)
• I know it is hard but you really have to read everything you want to buy. You will really feel the benefit in the end. (Jeanette, 56 years old)
• There is a lot of support and resources. It is so much better than 10 years ago. With a little research, you can find your safe places to eat out and vacation. Always carry a gluten free snack because you never know when you won’t be able to find something. Travel with gluten-free foods, especially going on airplanes. It may be hours/days until you can get to a source of gluten free foods. Take a snack to parties and meetings as there may not be anything for you to eat. (Leigh, 57 years old)
• It is a very achievable diet. Things are improving every day with accesability to foods. (Diane, 57 years old)
• Don’t give in…it’s not worth it. (Bev C., 58 years old)
• Stick to the diet. (Penny, 58 years old)
• Rice. (Anonymous, 58 years old)
• It’s not the end of the world, and persevere as GF is improving all the time. (Jane S., 58 years old)
• It gets better once you learn what works for you. (Tee, 58 years old)
• Stick to the diet, you will eventually feel awesome. You can do this! (Deb G., 58 years old)
• It’s not as hard as it first seems, you quickly get used to it. (Maggie, 58 years old)
• There are a lot more products out there now, keep a food diary, and join a celiac group. (Paula, 59 years old)
• Stick with it. (Lynn, 60 years old)
• Always read labels, carry anti-diarrhea tablets with you. (Jan S., 60 years old)
• It’s gets easier with time – and remember, YOU deserve to be healthy! (Susan, 61 years old)
• Don’t panic, take it slowly, join Coeliac UK, and try get help from an other coeliac, as they have gone through things like you. (Liz, 63 years old)
• Just keep trying new food to see if you like it. Don’t be put off if things you make don’t work the first time. (Carol P., 63 years old)
• The supermarkets are getting better, just eat well and adapt it to your own cooking. (Marjorie C., 64 years old)
• I am recently diagnosed and am finding it very hard, but I would just say that it will get better (I hope) with experience of what you can and can’t eat. (Christine, 65 years old)
• Shop the outside aisles of the grocery store: fresh produce, dairy, eggs, meat, fish, poultry. Skip all the inside aisles (processed foods) other than basic condiments until you get on an even keel and feel whole and healthy. (Peggy, 65 years old)
• I was diagnosed 9 weeks ago..still learning. (Toni E., 66 years old)
• You will feel better. It gets easier. (Carol O., 66 years old)
• Stick with the diet no matter how boring or how much you are tempted to abandon it even for a morsel! You will feel so much better. Be aware of cross contamination, it’s one of the most serious problems in food preparation and in retail. (Marion, 66 years old)
• It takes time but eventually it becomes second nature. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• There are so many safe products available that are readily available. When I was first diagnosed, I tried to cook gluten free for myself & regular for everyone else. This was too difficult! With the encouragement of my husband, I just cooked gluten free all the time with a few special favorite exceptions. I have eaten gluten free for 14 years and it is so much easier today with many good safe food options. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• You will get used to it. (Irene W., 70 years old)
• Stores are becoming more aware of the disease and the GF food is certainly better tasting ,and there is more selection than there was even 10 years ago. (Barbara, 70 years old)
• Eat fresh food, read labels, no wheat, barley or rye. (Jenny, 71 years old)
• Check ingredients on food items. Just because they are in the gluten free section in the shop does not mean they are gf as i have found out on a few occasions. (Betty L., 71 years old)
• Just be thankful it isn’t worse, and avoid gluten at all costs. (Virginia B., 72 years old)
• Read labels carefully. (Janet W., 73 years old)
• Drop all grains from your diet. Cook everything completely until your gut is stronger. (James, 75 years old)
• Be patient and be careful. Ask for help finding where to get gluten-free foods. (Peter G., 77 years old)
• To always, always plan ahead and have emergency food in your purse. Gluten-free bars, etc. AND you will get used to watching people eat delicious foods in front of you, that you cannot partake in. That will get easier too. (Anonymous B)

Celiac Disease Diet Recommendations

What’s your experience with dieting? Any recommendations?

• Keep it natural and fresh. Avoid processed foods. (Heidi, 1 year old)
• Although a daunting task, learn to cook gluten free from scratch. (Noah, 3 years old)
• We try to eat as much fresh food as possible. (Joshua, 3 years old)
• Bring your own food everywhere just to make sure you have something to eat. (Luke, 5 years old)
• You get used to it and find alternatives that you like. So many things are naturally gluten free. (Aoife, 12 years old)
• None, although I’m always hungry. (Jodie M., 12 years old)
• I have been cutting back on my sugar and carbs lately (the naturally GF and the GF foods). (Alicia P., 16 years old)
• When reading the labels, if on the front something is labeled Gluten Free, read the back. The product may be made in a facility that also produces wheat. (Madalyn, 19 years old)
• Be strict and remain on a gluten-free diet. (Tarryn, 19 years old)
• Lots of fruits and veggies lean meats and lots of water. (Marisa H., 19 years old)
• Go for whole foods. (Lakin, 20 years old)
• I wish I would have cut everything out from the beginning. Cutting out more and more things is depressing but my doctor didn’t know better. (Chris, 23 years old)
• Low carb. (Julie B., 23 years old)
• At first it was extremely difficult for me! But I know how much better I feel after being gluten free. Whole foods like meats, fruits and veggies are you best friends!! (Brandee, 23 years old)
• Pre-plan, pre-cook. Whatever you need to, stick with it. Set goals. And write it out and make a contract with yourself and another person to hold each other accountable. (Samantha, 23 years old)
• I highly recommend meeting with a nutritionist because the first couple months of being diagnosed is very overwhelming. (Brittany, 23 years old)
• Easy, once you get used to reading labels. Stick to fresh foods in the beginning and move on to finding GF processed items. (Beth, 24 years old)
• I try to eat healthy and avoid processed or convenience foods. I was severely underweight and malnourished before my celiac diagnosis. (Jessica, 25 years old)
• I struggle to follow a strict gf diet. (Ashley, 26 years old)
• Anyone who’s living with Celiac should go to the Whole Foods stores in their area, or grocery stores like Whole Foods. I go to Fresh Thyme in the Beavercreek, OH. area. Get as much literature as you can find, and educate yourself. Only you know how this illness feels because you live it every day. Having a support group is also crucial to adjusting with the GF life and having others to talk to who know what you’re going through. (Haley B., 29 years old)
• I really struggle. I’ve gained 65 lbs since going GF. (Julie, 30 years old)
• Lots of fresh fruits and veggies- Udi’s brand is the best! (Crystal, 30 years old)
• I really really struggle to lose weight! (Abbie, 30 years old)
• The start was very difficult due to the fear of never getting to the point of healing. I feel like eating at home is easier and safer. (Jana, 30 years old)
• Eating very simple seems to help. (Kristen, 31 years old)
• Eat less, eat healthier. (Vicki, 32 years old)
• Use whole foods and avoid foods that have been made GF. Weight Watchers’ new program is good because you can eat whatever foods as long as you stay in your points. (CD, 32 years old)
• Download ipiit if you have iPhone, it’s a barcode scanner which helps to narrow down what you can’t have. I still read the label to make sure but it hasn’t steered me wrong yet. (Christin, 32 years old)
• It has its challenges of course, but for me the gluten free diet has been the least difficult part of the diagnosis. I’ve always been an avid health freak, so I approached the gluten free diet more as an opportunity to eat better. Call me crazy, but I actually love the fact that there is practically nothing at fast food restaurants I can eat anymore! I like to try and form the staple of my diet by foods that are naturally gluten free, such as meats, eggs, lots of fruits and veggies, brown rice, beans, nuts, etc. It keeps things simple (no labels to read), and it’s oober healthy. I will splurge occasionally and take a trip to the gluten free aisle, but more as a treat rather than a necessity, especially considering the prices – $5 for pretzels, eesh! As for bread, I don’t even consider it part of my diet anymore, including gluten free bread, because it sucks compared to its gluten counterpart. Speaking of bread- that is one hard part of gluten free for me because I used to love it! I will sometimes go to the bakery section of the grocery store and just sniff the fresh French bread and have a little internal “d*** it!”, then move on. Overall, I think it would help a lot of recently diagnosed to look at gluten free as an opportunity to eat healthier, not as a life of restriction. (Lori, 33 years old)
• Avoid cross contamination. (Diane, 33 years old)
• Eat whole foods in small portions. (Kristen, 34 years old)
• Raw, fresh ingredients are best. (Anna, 34 years old)
• Just eat everything gluten free. (Tiffanie, 34 years old)
• Read labels, use google search. Paleo diet was amazing to help me get over my last round of ulcerative colitis. Medicine the doctor gave me wasn’t working and the diet ended up resolving my issues after two or three weeks. (Mike H., 35 years old)
• I have counted calories before I was diagnosed but no diet since.(Sara F., 36 years old)
• I find it hard to diet and lose weight. (Jennifer W., 37 years old)
• Genius bread is the best. (Sarah, 37 years old)
• We like autoimmune paleo a lot, but it’s hard to maintain in real life 7 days a week. (Wellesley, 37 years old)
• Even harder work unless cooking from scratch at home. Difficult to do packed lunches, etc. (Bry, 38 years old)
• Avoid dairy. (Melissa, 38 years old)
• You have to embrace that things are different. Once I embraced it, it is actually easy. (Charles, 39 years old)
• It gets easier. (Val, 41 years old)
• I wish I had some. I weigh more now than ever. (Season B., 41 years old)
• Myfitnesspal app. (Melissa, 42 years old)
• I’m not sure what you mean here: dieting for weight loss or moving to the gluten-free diet? Assuming the latter, I would have told myself to try a whole foods diet for a number of months when first out there diagnosed, instead of eating all the gluten-free garbage. (Shellie, 43 years old)
• Eat healthy. Take responsibility for your own diet. Do not rely on others to cater to you. (Priscilla, 43 years old)
• Have gone no carbs and no processed food, it’s working a treat. (Jane, 44 years old)
• To not look for substitutions, go with naturally GF foods. (Nikki B., 44 years old)
• I have tried different diet (FODMAP, Paleo, etc). Man, really tough. I am not a meat eater. I also am not a grain eater, yet my cholesterol increases. (Teresa, 45 years old)
• I find that I have gained weight on GF foods – they are not as healthy. Stick with mostly fruits, veggies and proteins. (Susan H., 46 years old)
• It’s even harder work when you’re gluten free. (Rachel, 46 years old)
• Before staring with gluten free dieting, everyone must read carefully the ingredients. If its not labeled gluten free then do not touch it. Keep you diet clean from gluten contamination. (Suad A., 46 years old)
• Make everything from scratch, as boxed or pre-cooked items contain a lot fat and sugar. Also, they may not have as many nutrients either. (Christina, 47 years old)
• Natural is safest, fruits, veggies, meats… (Charlotte, 47 years old)
• Not everything that says it is gluten free is. Sometimes it hard because someone may have gone out their way to make you something gluten free but it is not. (Sandra, 47 years old)
• In addition to avoiding wheat, I avoid maltodextrin & natural flavor. (Lisa M., 48 years old)
• Eat real food, nothing processed to avoid cross contamination. Don’t eat out at all unless you know they take cc precautions. All grains cause inflammation and bloating. (Olena, 48 years old)
• Avoid processed GF products. (Rachel F., 49 years old)
• Read everything!! (Holly, 51 years old)
• Weight Watchers. (Alison, 51 years old)
• I just watch my carbs. (Pattie N., 51 years old)
• Take a fiber supplement. Don’t eat processed gluten free food. (Patricia S., 52 years old)
• Eat healthy to stay healthy. (Dawn P., 53 years old)
• Eat natural foods. (Shelley, 53 years old)
• Think about all the food you can eat, not your limitations. (Guy, 53 years old)
• My husband has gone almost vegan in the past year and lost 92 lbs. I tried twice to eat like this, paid dearly with abdominal pain, as well as other things. Not worth it. (Sara, 53 years old)
• Don’t need to, I eat very little processed GF food (just cereal and the odd biscuit/cake or bread). (Anonymous, 53 years old)
• I am very strict, and I don’t stray from the plan. (Cheryl S., 54 years old)
• After 16 years I am very careful to read labels- they can change. (Ellen, 55 years old)
• It was difficult at first but now is second nature. Shop the peripheral aisles of the store. If you can, let someone else do your shopping. Learn to cook! Freeze meals, bakery goods and desserts. (Leigh, 57 years old)
• Prepare your own meals, stick to whole foods as much as possible, also organic. (Diane, 57 years old)
• All my life, every kind of diet possible. (Bev C., 58 years old)
• Don’t eat free from foods. (Penny, 58 years old)
• Controlling my illness. (Anonymous, 58 years old)
• Eat less, move more! (Jane S., 58 years old)
• Know the hidden wording that represents gluten in the product. Always look for a certified GF Label. (Tee, 58 years old)
• Weight watchers is terrific because you eat your own choices it. (Deb G., 58 years old)
• Not been a problem for me as I lost loads of weight before being diagnosed. (Paula, 59 years old)
• Lack of carbs. (Lynn, 60 years old)
• Check everything, and trust no one. (Jan S., 60 years old)
• Stay vigilant – check and double check. (Susan, 61 years old)
• I have been doing Slimming World since January, and have lost 3 stone, it has been much slower than other people’s losses as it is eating the same types food, and you cannot get any snack diet bars at reasonable cost in gluten free, products are way out of a normal person’s price range. (Liz, 63 years old)
• I have no trouble now that I am used to it, but found it very difficult to start off. (Carol P., 63 years old)
• I have just gained pounds but ended up with UAT as well. (Marjorie C., 64 years old)
• I joined Weight Watchers and have lost some weight, but not as much as I would have if I wasn’t coeliac. Gluten free food has more points, but you don’t get more points each day than everyone else. (Christine, 65 years old)
• Absolutely. My (non-GF) husband and I both feel best when we are limiting our carb intake. We embarked on a low-carb regimen on March 1st and added an exercise regimen on April 1st. We’ve slowly, steadily lost 15-20 lbs. each. Low carb is a no brainer for the GF lifestyle. Despite what many dietitians say, we do not need grains to be healthy, and we *certainly* do not need sugar. (Peggy, 65 years old)
• New products keep coming out and and they’re improving. (Carol O., 66 years old)
• Stick rigidly to GF food and buy packaged foods with the cross grain symbol. Avoid corn, new grains you haven’t eaten in the past, avoid FODMAPS, avoid meat, avoid lactose (at the beginning). Take a B12 and B complex supplement, calcium and vitamin D supplement. See a dietician at regular intervals. Get bloods done two or three times a year. Be prepared to cook from scratch. Bring your own food with you when you go out. (Marion, 66 years old)
• I try to eat fresh fruit, organic chicken & beef, and stay away from processed food. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Be careful, some of the health food stores charge for the words “gluten free”, when you can buy the items at regular price at the store, such as baking powder, corn starch, etc. I shop during the day and if I have a question about it I use my cell phone and call the manufacturer. (Barbara, 70 years old)
• Help, very hard to do. (Jenny, 71 years old)
• Not very successful, I’m overweight. (Virginia B., 72 years old)
• Hard gluten free food has so much sugar in it. (Janet W., 73 years old)
• Give up everything but the most basic foods, until your gut heals, six weeks to … decades. (James, 75 years old)
• Eat lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. (Peter G., 77 years old)
• None. I should start. (Anonymous A)
• I felt better when never eating packaged “gluten free” foods, and just stuck to naturally gluten free foods. Not fun. Not easy. (Anonymous B)

Celiac Disease Additives to Avoid

What have you learned about food additives? Any additives to avoid?

• I avoid maltodextrin and artificial dye. (Noah, 3 years old)
• Wheat, barley rye and oats. (Molly-Grace, 3 years old)
• Barley, yeast extract sometimes upsets my stomach. (Aoife, 12 years old)
• Anything with gluten, etc. (Jodie M., 12 years old)
• I do my best to avoid artificial sweeteners, I have found they make me sick. (Alicia P., 16 years old)
• Sugar. (Tarryn, 19 years old)
• Anything soy. (Marisa H., 19 years old)
• Msg. (Julie B., 23 years old)
• Malt/soy sauce has wheat in it. (Zachary, 23 years old)
• I try and stay clear of processed foods. (Brittany, 23 years old)
• Not looked into it. (Beth, 24 years old)
• I try to eat natural foods without additives. I have multiple chemical sensitivities. Many additives cause me stomach issues and migraines. (Jessica, 25 years old)
• I try to avoid all and eat as natural as possible. (Danielle, 27 years old)
• Well, what I’ve taken from the research I’ve done, stay away from processed foods as much as possible. Read everything you pick up at the grocery, and be careful of products that claim to be gluten-free, because it can still have small amounts of it. Cooking at home from scratch as much as you can is the best thing, and you’re going to learn how to plan meals. (Haley B., 29 years old)
• Food starch made outside the USA- double check if it is made of wheat or corn. (Crystal, 30 years old)
• I avoid most additives and eat very simple. (Kristen, 31 years old)
• I tend to stick to natural whole foods with no additives. (CD, 32 years old)
• Avoid the bread for at least six months to a year to allow your body to forget what bread tastes like so you won’t be disappointed. (Christin, 32 years old)
• Any thing with gluten, artificial flavorings, apentane. (Matt, 33 years old)
• That I am better off just using salt and paper, and eating fresh meat and veggies/salads. (Jennifer W., 37 years old)
• Soy sauce. (Wellesley, 37 years old)
• I avoid all GMOs. Eat only organic. Don’t consume dairy and very rarely eat animal protein. (Melissa, 38 years old)
• I learned that natural and artificial flavorings could include gluten. (Charles, 39 years old)
• We eat very clean now so we don’t have to worry about additives. (Becky, 41 years old)
• I react to msg. Nickel. Besides gluten. I read every label. (Season B., 41 years old)
• “Natural Flavor” is an issue. (Melissa, 42 years old)
• I avoid as many chemicals in my food and also on my skin, as possible. However this is not directly related to celiac, it is related to the histamine intolerance. I don’t believe there are additives other than malt products that cause a reaction in me. (Shellie, 43 years old)
• All of them. (Jane, 44 years old)
• When in doubt, avoid. (Nikki B., 44 years old)
• Most of the food additives are chemicals and must be avoided. (Suad A., 46 years old)
• Additives can contaminate. (Charlotte, 47 years old)
• That is something I know little about. (Sandra, 47 years old)
• I avoid them totally. (Lisa M., 48 years old)
• Soy sauce, malted anything. (Olena, 48 years old)
• Anything that will upset my stomach I avoid. (Alison, 51 years old)
• Wheat proteins, barley. (Pattie N., 51 years old)
• Most if not all additives are unnecessary, but if you want to make graveyard, you’ve gotta add some corn starch. (Patricia S., 52 years old)
• None as long as it’s gluten free. (Dawn P., 53 years old)
• Avoid as many as possible. (Sara, 53 years old)
• I keep a phone on hand so I can look up ingredients to see if they are gluten free. (Cheryl S., 54 years old)
• I try to eat very few additives- the labeling of foods has helped a lot with what to avoid- if I am not sure, I skip it. (Ellen, 55 years old)
• Sugars, food dyes, and MSG. (Diane, 57 years old)
• Avoid all food additives. The industry just changes the names of additives to mask poison. (Bev C., 58 years old)
• They are in everything. (Jane S., 58 years old)
• Barley malt extract. (Maggie, 58 years old)
• I’m allergic to MSG. (Lynn, 60 years old)
• I avoid as much as possible. (Susan, 61 years old)
• I never have food coloring as it makes me ill, m.s.g. is also nasty. (Liz, 63 years old)
• I mostly eat simple, whole, nutritious foods. I don’t eat many processed foods, so additives are not a huge concern. I am definitely not ready to jump on the bandwagon against GMO and believe that unless evidence is found to the contrary it is a big deal about nothing. (Peggy, 65 years old)
• I read all ingredients before I eat anything. (Toni E., 66 years old)
• I use my GF grocery shopping guide. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• I avoid soy since it causes digestive issues for me. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Wheat based. (Irene W., 70 years old)
• MSG. (Barbara, 70 years old)
• Too many to name allergies. (Jenny, 71 years old)

Gluten-Free Recipes

What’s your favorite gluten-free recipe?

• Lasagne. (Heidi, 1 year old)
• Spaghetti Bolognese. (Casper, 1 year old)
• Lasagna. (Bella, 3 years old)
• Chicken nuggets! (Noah, 3 years old)
• Chocolate cakes. (Molly-Grace, 3 years old)
• Gluten free brownies. (Joshua, 3 years old)
• GF pretzels are awesome. (Luke, 5 years old)
• Banana bread. (Lincoln, 6 years old)
• Chocolate and orange cake. (Lynn, 9 years old)
• Peanut butter cookies. (Jack, 9 years old)
• Mum’s American pancake recipe. (Alexandra, 11 years old)
• Cherry and chocolate muffins. (Jack, 11 years old)
• Bacon and sweet corn muffins, Phil Vicary’s carrot cake. (Aoife, 12 years old)
• Cookies. (Jodie M., 12 years old)
• Tiffin. (Anonymous, 16 years old)
• Any. Just add Pamela’s flour if necessary. (Marisa H., 19 years old)
• Everything my mom cooks! (Zachary, 23 years old)
• I have so many! (Brittany, 23 years old)
• Baked chicken legs from The Healthy Gluten Free Life by Tammy Credicott. (Jessica, 25 years old)
• I don’t have one. (Ashley, 26 years old)
• Oh gosh….too difficult! Celiac disease forced me to learn how to cook and I found a love for cooking and baking!!!! (Danielle, 27 years old)
• Beef and broccoli- naturally GF, also homemade pizza w/Udi’s frozen crust, and Barilla brand makes GF noodles that are VERY tasty! (Crystal, 30 years old)
• Gluten free cake :). (Abbie, 30 years old)
• Almond flour pound cake. (Jana, 30 years old)
• Anything Mexican. (CD, 32 years old)
• Not a recipe so much, but brown rice pasta is awesome! I actually enjoy it more than regular pasta because it doesn’t really give me that heavy stomach feeling that a full belly of regular pasta did; my husband who is not celiac says the same thing. (Lori, 33 years old)
• Sun dried tomato and cream Italian chicken. (Matt, 33 years old)
• Apple pie. (Diane, 33 Years old)
• Flan, Brazilian cheese bread, no bake energy balls, zucchini pasta. (Mike H., 35 years old)
• Anything my wife makes. (Austin E., 36 years old)
• Too many. (Melissa, 38 years old)
• GF pork enchiladas. (Charles, 39 years old)
• I don’t really have one, we have changed all our recipes to GF. (Becky, 41 years old)
• Barrila gf spaghetti is terrific! (Sara, 41 years old)
• Grain-free butternut squash flat breads. (Shellie, 43 years old)
• Meatballs, tomatoes, sauce and mozzarella. (Jane, 44 years old)
• I just eat naturally GF foods. (Nikki B., 44 years old)
• Stuffed zucchini boats with brown rice. (Susan H., 46 years old)
• Chewy chocolate chips. (Suad A., 46 years old)
• Mac and cheese gluten free of course. (Sandra, 47 years old)
• Steak. (Lisa M., 48 years old)
• Curry. (Olena, 48 years old)
• Better Batter Snicker Doodles. (Pattie N., 51 years old)
• I have so many… (Patricia S., 52 years old)
• Homemade zucchini bread. (Dawn P., 53 years old)
• Just making chicken nuggets gluten free and French fries. (Cheryl S., 54 years old)
• Roasted chicken with vegetables. (Diane, 57 years old)
• 90 second bread. (Bev C., 58 years old)
• I can’t think of just 1. (Deb G., 58 years old)
• Any of my old recipes I make gluten-free. (Lynn, 60 years old)
• King Arthur Gluten Free Angel Food Cake. (Susan, 61 years old)
• Chocolate mayonnaise cake, brownie-berry cobbler, pumpkin tiramisu… lots and lots of yummy desserts. 🙂 (My bucket list is untried desserts.) 😉 (Peggy, 65 years old)
• I do not bake any more and tend to eat bland foods. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Corned beef pasties made with genius gluten free puff pastry. (Betty L., 71 years old)
• Gluten free pasta bakes. (Janet W., 73 years old)
• Brownies. (Peter G., 77 years old)

Celiac Disease Resources

What specific Celiac Disease resources have you found most helpful?

• Facebook groups, Google. (Heidi, 1 year old)
• Help from people going through the same. Facebook groups. (Casper, 1 year old)
• Coeliac society. (Bella, 3 years old)
• Celiac groups on Facebook, gluten free cook books, health food stores. (Noah, 3 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Molly-Grace, 3 years old)
• Facebook pages and Coeliac UK. (Joshua, 3 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Sophie, 5 years old)
• Online support groups. (Luke, 5 years old)
• Google. (Lincoln, 6 years old)
• Labels. But not many. (Caleb I., 6 years old)
• Pinterest. (Elli, 7 years old)
• Coeliac UK, internet searches. (Lynn, 9 years old)
• Research & labels. (Jack, 9 years old)
• The internet. (Alexandra, 11 years old)
• The Coeliac UK book. (Jack, 11 years old)
• FB pages, family and friends. (Aoife, 12 years old)
• Internet resources about the disease. (Jodie M., 12 years old)
• Find Me Gluten Free, searching on line, gluten free expo. (Justin, 13 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Chloe L., 14 years old)
• Google and FB groups. (Alicia P., 16 years old)
• Celiac UK book that lists everything that is gluten free. (Anonymous, 16 years old.
• I look on the CDF website for resources. I have also found a support group that sends out useful things. (Madalyn, 19 years old)
• Buscopan, vitamin D and B13 tablets, gluten-free diet, as well as a good night sleep. (Tarryn, 19 years old)
• Online PDFs. (Marisa H., 19 years old)
• Support groups on Facebook and in person. (Lakin, 20 years old)
• Dietitian. (Courtney B., 21 years old)
• Jennifer’s way. (Chris, 23 years old)
• The internet. (Julie B., 23 years old)
• Pinterest for meal ideas, support group to vent with others who understand, and supportive family and friends. (Brandee, 23 years old)
• Find Me GF app. (Samantha, 23 years old)
• Shopping at Whole Foods/internet. (Zachary, 23 years old)
• Online support groups. (Brittany, 23 years old)
• The Gluten Free Everything group on Facebook. (Beth, 24 years old)
• Gluten Dude, University of Chicago. (Jessica, 25 years old)
• Other people who eat gf. (Ashley, 26 years old)
• The book called ‘the ultimate guide to gluten free shopping’ and connecting with others with the disease. (Melissa B., 27 years old)
• Bloggers are the best! Gluten Away, Gluten Dude, Celiac and the Beast…and support groups. Also the Find Me Gluten Free app! (Danielle, 27 years old)
• Celiac UK. (Vikki H., 28 years old)
• Two books: Wheat Belly and The Gluten Free Bible. (Haley B., 29 years old)
• Pinterest! Recipes, ideas, etc. (Julie, 30 years old)
• Online-celiac.org (Just be careful you don’t get “wormholed” by the internet). (Crystal, 30 years old)
• Ceoliac UK website. (Abbie, 30 years old)
• Internet, especially the celiac.org website. (Jana, 30 years old)
• Forums. (T., 30 years old)
• Paleo diet and find me gluten free app. (Kristen, 31 years old)
• Google. (Vicki, 32 years old)
• Online groups that share information. (CD, 32 years old)
• A lot of Internet searching. (Christin, 32 years old)
• A couple celiac disease lectures from the University of California on YouTube I found to be very informative. (Lori, 33 years old)
• Find Me GF app. (Matt, 33 years old)
• GF Overflow app for smartphones. (Diane, 33 years old)
• Internet/online groups devoted to those with Celiac. (Kristen, 34 years old)
• Celiac UK. (Anna, 34 years old)
• Mayo Clinic book- Going Gluten Free, Elizabeth Hasselback & Jennifer Esposito books, Facebook groups, googling brands. (Tiffanie, 34 years old)
• Find Me GF App. (Jenn, 35 years old)
• Word of mouth, gluten free tags in supermarkets. (Mike H., 35 years old)
• Online support groups. (Sarah, 36 years old)
• www.celiac.com, Facebook groups, and friends. (Sara F., 36 years old)
• Facebook groups. (Jennifer W., 37 years old)
• Celiac UK. (Sarah, 37 years old)
• University of Chicago materials. (Wellesley, 37 years old)
• Coeliac UK. Friends. Dietician. (Bry, 38 years old)
• Online recipes / more specialty markets opening that carry gluten free products. (Melissa, 38 years old)
• Various websites with recipes, and eatthismuch.com to meal plan. (Charles, 39 years old)
• Celiac.com. (Becky, 41 years old)
• Internet for research. (Val, 41 years old)
• Facebook groups. (Season B., 41 years old)
• I’ve subscribed to Gluten Free Girl but I browse more than anything. (Sara, 41 years old)
• University of Chicago Celiac Center, Celiac.org, dietician. (Melissa, 42 years old)
• Celiac.com forum, Peter Green’s book, various online blogs when traveling, the findmeglutenfree app. (Shellie, 43 years old)
• Support groups. (Priscilla, 43 years old)
• Internet and discussion groups. (Nikki B., 44 years old)
• CDF; Books. (Teresa, 45 years old)
• “Fine Me Gluten Free” app, because it allowed me to feel like I could socialize again. Before I felt destined to never eat out or socialize with friends/family. (Martina, 45 years old)
• The Gluten Free Life Facebook Page, Google. (Susan H., 46 years old)
• Coeliac UK. The gluten free shop in Norwich. (Rachel, 46 years old)
• Internet, reliable medical reports and essays. (Suad A., 46 year old)
• Talking with people on Facebook with GF experience, and spouse support. (Christina, 47 years old)
• Online groups. (Charlotte, 47 years old)
• Believe it or not Facebook is a good place to find Celiac groups. (Sandra, 47 years old)
• Diet only. (Lisa M., 48 years old)
• Labels. (Olena, 48 years old)
• Initially, The Coeliac Society, but once you know what not to eat it becomes very straightforward. (Rachel F., 49 years old)
• The internet. (Holly, 51 years old)
• The internet. (Alison, 51 years old)
• Internet, several gluten free groups online. (Pattie N., 51 years old)
• The Internet. (Patricia S., 52 years old)
• Internet. (Dawn P., 53 years old)
• Facebook support groups. (Shelley, 53 years old)
• My wife who does shopping and cooking. (Guy, 53 years old)
• Coeliac UK shopping guide and app. (Anonymous, 53 years old)
• Find Me Gluten Free. (Cheryl S., 54 years old)
• Several blogs and internet sites for recipes. (Angela, 56 years old)
• Start with a good nutritionist. Apps on my phone like Gluten Free Registry, Find Me Gluten Free, Fooducate. Also, a few good support groups in person and on Facebook. (Leigh, 57 years old)
• Websites, cookbooks, webinars. (Diane, 57 years old)
• Facebook group. (Bev C., 58 years old)
• Shops are getting better, but not all. (Penny, 58 years old)
• Gluten free. (Anonymous, 58 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Jane S., 58 years old)
• Most celiac-related websites. (Tee, 58 years old)
• books, labels and other celiac people. (Deb G., 58 years old)
• Coeliac Uk. (Maggie, 58 years old)
• Reading, coeliac society and a dietitian. (Paula, 59 years old)
• Online web sites. (Maryann, 59 years old)
• Internet. (Lynn, 60 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Jan S., 60 years old)
• Celiac.org. (Susan, 61 years old)
• Coeliac website, and I also helped to Ron Coventry and Warwickshire, and support group, which is amine of information from other like people. (Liz, 63 years old)
• Facebook sites. (Carol P., 63 years old)
• Friends on Facebook, the Coeliac Bible from the Coeliac Society. (Marjorie C., 64 years old)
• Various websites for coeliacs. (Christine, 65 years old)
• The INTERNET!! OMG, what a difference between GF before the Net and GF after the Net! I especially like being able to point people to the UCCDC website and use many blog and recipe sites. (Peggy, 65 years old)
• Gluten Dude and celiac.com. (Toni E., 66 years old)
• The book “No Grain, No Pain”. (Carol O., 66 years old)
• Coeliac Ireland. Online support groups. Online forums. My Dietician. My Gasterentologist. (Marion, 66 years old)
• Gluten free magazines. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Food labeling laws. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Coeliac UK. Other websites. (Irene W., 70 years old)
• I have found many good recipes on internet. (Barbara, 70 years old)
• Living on fresh food prescription rolls. (Jenny, 71 years old)
• Hospital dietitian. (Betty L., 71 years old)
• Always take snacks with you. (Janet W., 73 years old)
• The internet. (James, 75 years old)
• Reading labels, news from friends about new places to eat or things on the market. (Peter G., 77 years old)
• Facebook groups. (Anonymous A)
• Google. (Anonymous B)

• Facebook groups, Google. (Heidi, 1 year old)
• Help from people going through the same. Facebook groups. (Casper, 1 year old)
• Coeliac society. (Bella, 3 years old)
• Celiac groups on Facebook, gluten free cook books, health food stores. (Noah, 3 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Molly-Grace, 3 years old)
• Facebook pages and Coeliac UK. (Joshua, 3 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Sophie, 5 years old)
• Online support groups. (Luke, 5 years old)
• Google. (Lincoln, 6 years old)
• Labels. But not many. (Caleb I., 6 years old)
• Pinterest. (Elli, 7 years old)
• Coeliac UK, internet searches. (Lynn, 9 years old)
• Research & labels. (Jack, 9 years old)
• The internet. (Alexandra, 11 years old)
• The Coeliac UK book. (Jack, 11 years old)
• FB pages, family and friends. (Aoife, 12 years old)
• Internet resources about the disease. (Jodie M., 12 years old)
• Find Me Gluten Free, searching on line, gluten free expo. (Justin, 13 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Chloe L., 14 years old)
• Google and FB groups. (Alicia P., 16 years old)
• Celiac UK book that lists everything that is gluten free. (Anonymous, 16 years old.
• I look on the CDF website for resources. I have also found a support group that sends out useful things. (Madalyn, 19 years old)
• Buscopan, vitamin D and B13 tablets, gluten-free diet, as well as a good night sleep. (Tarryn, 19 years old)
• Online PDFs. (Marisa H., 19 years old)
• Support groups on Facebook and in person. (Lakin, 20 years old)
• Dietitian. (Courtney B., 21 years old)
• Jennifer’s way. (Chris, 23 years old)
• The internet. (Julie B., 23 years old)
• Pinterest for meal ideas, support group to vent with others who understand, and supportive family and friends. (Brandee, 23 years old)
• Find Me GF app. (Samantha, 23 years old)
• Shopping at Whole Foods/internet. (Zachary, 23 years old)
• Online support groups. (Brittany, 23 years old)
• The Gluten Free Everything group on Facebook. (Beth, 24 years old)
• Gluten Dude, University of Chicago. (Jessica, 25 years old)
• Other people who eat gf. (Ashley, 26 years old)
• The book called ‘the ultimate guide to gluten free shopping’ and connecting with others with the disease. (Melissa B., 27 years old)
• Bloggers are the best! Gluten Away, Gluten Dude, Celiac and the Beast…and support groups. Also the Find Me Gluten Free app! (Danielle, 27 years old)
• Celiac UK. (Vikki H., 28 years old)
• Two books: Wheat Belly and The Gluten Free Bible. (Haley B., 29 years old)
• Pinterest! Recipes, ideas, etc. (Julie, 30 years old)
• Online-celiac.org (Just be careful you don’t get “wormholed” by the internet). (Crystal, 30 years old)
• Ceoliac UK website. (Abbie, 30 years old)
• Internet, especially the celiac.org website. (Jana, 30 years old)
• Forums. (T., 30 years old)
• Paleo diet and find me gluten free app. (Kristen, 31 years old)
• Google. (Vicki, 32 years old)
• Online groups that share information. (CD, 32 years old)
• A lot of Internet searching. (Christin, 32 years old)
• A couple celiac disease lectures from the University of California on YouTube I found to be very informative. (Lori, 33 years old)
• Find Me GF app. (Matt, 33 years old)
• GF Overflow app for smartphones. (Diane, 33 years old)
• Internet/online groups devoted to those with Celiac. (Kristen, 34 years old)
• Celiac UK. (Anna, 34 years old)
• Mayo Clinic book- Going Gluten Free, Elizabeth Hasselback & Jennifer Esposito books, Facebook groups, googling brands. (Tiffanie, 34 years old)
• Find Me GF App. (Jenn, 35 years old)
• Word of mouth, gluten free tags in supermarkets. (Mike H., 35 years old)
• Online support groups. (Sarah, 36 years old)
• www.celiac.com, Facebook groups, and friends. (Sara F., 36 years old)
• Facebook groups. (Jennifer W., 37 years old)
• Celiac UK. (Sarah, 37 years old)
• University of Chicago materials. (Wellesley, 37 years old)
• Coeliac UK. Friends. Dietician. (Bry, 38 years old)
• Online recipes / more specialty markets opening that carry gluten free products. (Melissa, 38 years old)
• Various websites with recipes, and eatthismuch.com to meal plan. (Charles, 39 years old)
• Celiac.com. (Becky, 41 years old)
• Internet for research. (Val, 41 years old)
• Facebook groups. (Season B., 41 years old)
• I’ve subscribed to Gluten Free Girl but I browse more than anything. (Sara, 41 years old)
• University of Chicago Celiac Center, Celiac.org, dietician. (Melissa, 42 years old)
• Celiac.com forum, Peter Green’s book, various online blogs when traveling, the findmeglutenfree app. (Shellie, 43 years old)
• Support groups. (Priscilla, 43 years old)
• Internet and discussion groups. (Nikki B., 44 years old)
• CDF; Books. (Teresa, 45 years old)
• “Fine Me Gluten Free” app, because it allowed me to feel like I could socialize again. Before I felt destined to never eat out or socialize with friends/family. (Martina, 45 years old)
• The Gluten Free Life Facebook Page, Google. (Susan H., 46 years old)
• Coeliac UK. The gluten free shop in Norwich. (Rachel, 46 years old)
• Internet, reliable medical reports and essays. (Suad A., 46 year old)
• Talking with people on Facebook with GF experience, and spouse support. (Christina, 47 years old)
• Online groups. (Charlotte, 47 years old)
• Believe it or not Facebook is a good place to find Celiac groups. (Sandra, 47 years old)
• Diet only. (Lisa M., 48 years old)
• Labels. (Olena, 48 years old)
• Initially, The Coeliac Society, but once you know what not to eat it becomes very straightforward. (Rachel F., 49 years old)
• The internet. (Holly, 51 years old)
• The internet. (Alison, 51 years old)
• Internet, several gluten free groups online. (Pattie N., 51 years old)
• The Internet. (Patricia S., 52 years old)
• Internet. (Dawn P., 53 years old)
• Facebook support groups. (Shelley, 53 years old)
• My wife who does shopping and cooking. (Guy, 53 years old)
• Coeliac UK shopping guide and app. (Anonymous, 53 years old)
• Find Me Gluten Free. (Cheryl S., 54 years old)
• Several blogs and internet sites for recipes. (Angela, 56 years old)
• Start with a good nutritionist. Apps on my phone like Gluten Free Registry, Find Me Gluten Free, Fooducate. Also, a few good support groups in person and on Facebook. (Leigh, 57 years old)
• Websites, cookbooks, webinars. (Diane, 57 years old)
• Facebook group. (Bev C., 58 years old)
• Shops are getting better, but not all. (Penny, 58 years old)
• Gluten free. (Anonymous, 58 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Jane S., 58 years old)
• Most celiac-related websites. (Tee, 58 years old)
• books, labels and other celiac people. (Deb G., 58 years old)
• Coeliac Uk. (Maggie, 58 years old)
• Reading, coeliac society and a dietitian. (Paula, 59 years old)
• Online web sites. (Maryann, 59 years old)
• Internet. (Lynn, 60 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Jan S., 60 years old)
• Celiac.org. (Susan, 61 years old)
• Coeliac website, and I also helped to Ron Coventry and Warwickshire, and support group, which is amine of information from other like people. (Liz, 63 years old)
• Facebook sites. (Carol P., 63 years old)
• Friends on Facebook, the Coeliac Bible from the Coeliac Society. (Marjorie C., 64 years old)
• Various websites for coeliacs. (Christine, 65 years old)
• The INTERNET!! OMG, what a difference between GF before the Net and GF after the Net! I especially like being able to point people to the UCCDC website and use many blog and recipe sites. (Peggy, 65 years old)
• Gluten Dude and celiac.com. (Toni E., 66 years old)
• The book “No Grain, No Pain”. (Carol O., 66 years old)
• Coeliac Ireland. Online support groups. Online forums. My Dietician. My Gasterentologist. (Marion, 66 years old)
• Gluten free magazines. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Food labeling laws. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Coeliac UK. Other websites. (Irene W., 70 years old)
• I have found many good recipes on internet. (Barbara, 70 years old)
• Living on fresh food prescription rolls. (Jenny, 71 years old)
• Hospital dietitian. (Betty L., 71 years old)
• Always take snacks with you. (Janet W., 73 years old)
• The internet. (James, 75 years old)
• Reading labels, news from friends about new places to eat or things on the market. (Peter G., 77 years old)
• Facebook groups. (Anonymous A)
• Google. (Anonymous B)

• Facebook groups, Google. (Heidi, 1 year old)
• Help from people going through the same. Facebook groups. (Casper, 1 year old)
• Coeliac society. (Bella, 3 years old)
• Celiac groups on Facebook, gluten free cook books, health food stores. (Noah, 3 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Molly-Grace, 3 years old)
• Facebook pages and Coeliac UK. (Joshua, 3 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Sophie, 5 years old)
• Online support groups. (Luke, 5 years old)
• Google. (Lincoln, 6 years old)
• Labels. But not many. (Caleb I., 6 years old)
• Pinterest. (Elli, 7 years old)
• Coeliac UK, internet searches. (Lynn, 9 years old)
• Research & labels. (Jack, 9 years old)
• The internet. (Alexandra, 11 years old)
• The Coeliac UK book. (Jack, 11 years old)
• FB pages, family and friends. (Aoife, 12 years old)
• Internet resources about the disease. (Jodie M., 12 years old)
• Find Me Gluten Free, searching on line, gluten free expo. (Justin, 13 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Chloe L., 14 years old)
• Google and FB groups. (Alicia P., 16 years old)
• Celiac UK book that lists everything that is gluten free. (Anonymous, 16 years old.
• I look on the CDF website for resources. I have also found a support group that sends out useful things. (Madalyn, 19 years old)
• Buscopan, vitamin D and B13 tablets, gluten-free diet, as well as a good night sleep. (Tarryn, 19 years old)
• Online PDFs. (Marisa H., 19 years old)
• Support groups on Facebook and in person. (Lakin, 20 years old)
• Dietitian. (Courtney B., 21 years old)
• Jennifer’s way. (Chris, 23 years old)
• The internet. (Julie B., 23 years old)
• Pinterest for meal ideas, support group to vent with others who understand, and supportive family and friends. (Brandee, 23 years old)
• Find Me GF app. (Samantha, 23 years old)
• Shopping at Whole Foods/internet. (Zachary, 23 years old)
• Online support groups. (Brittany, 23 years old)
• The Gluten Free Everything group on Facebook. (Beth, 24 years old)
• Gluten Dude, University of Chicago. (Jessica, 25 years old)
• Other people who eat gf. (Ashley, 26 years old)
• The book called ‘the ultimate guide to gluten free shopping’ and connecting with others with the disease. (Melissa B., 27 years old)
• Bloggers are the best! Gluten Away, Gluten Dude, Celiac and the Beast…and support groups. Also the Find Me Gluten Free app! (Danielle, 27 years old)
• Celiac UK. (Vikki H., 28 years old)
• Two books: Wheat Belly and The Gluten Free Bible. (Haley B., 29 years old)
• Pinterest! Recipes, ideas, etc. (Julie, 30 years old)
• Online-celiac.org (Just be careful you don’t get “wormholed” by the internet). (Crystal, 30 years old)
• Ceoliac UK website. (Abbie, 30 years old)
• Internet, especially the celiac.org website. (Jana, 30 years old)
• Forums. (T., 30 years old)
• Paleo diet and find me gluten free app. (Kristen, 31 years old)
• Google. (Vicki, 32 years old)
• Online groups that share information. (CD, 32 years old)
• A lot of Internet searching. (Christin, 32 years old)
• A couple celiac disease lectures from the University of California on YouTube I found to be very informative. (Lori, 33 years old)
• Find Me GF app. (Matt, 33 years old)
• GF Overflow app for smartphones. (Diane, 33 years old)
• Internet/online groups devoted to those with Celiac. (Kristen, 34 years old)
• Celiac UK. (Anna, 34 years old)
• Mayo Clinic book- Going Gluten Free, Elizabeth Hasselback & Jennifer Esposito books, Facebook groups, googling brands. (Tiffanie, 34 years old)
• Find Me GF App. (Jenn, 35 years old)
• Word of mouth, gluten free tags in supermarkets. (Mike H., 35 years old)
• Online support groups. (Sarah, 36 years old)
• www.celiac.com, Facebook groups, and friends. (Sara F., 36 years old)
• Facebook groups. (Jennifer W., 37 years old)
• Celiac UK. (Sarah, 37 years old)
• University of Chicago materials. (Wellesley, 37 years old)
• Coeliac UK. Friends. Dietician. (Bry, 38 years old)
• Online recipes / more specialty markets opening that carry gluten free products. (Melissa, 38 years old)
• Various websites with recipes, and eatthismuch.com to meal plan. (Charles, 39 years old)
• Celiac.com. (Becky, 41 years old)
• Internet for research. (Val, 41 years old)
• Facebook groups. (Season B., 41 years old)
• I’ve subscribed to Gluten Free Girl but I browse more than anything. (Sara, 41 years old)
• University of Chicago Celiac Center, Celiac.org, dietician. (Melissa, 42 years old)
• Celiac.com forum, Peter Green’s book, various online blogs when traveling, the findmeglutenfree app. (Shellie, 43 years old)
• Support groups. (Priscilla, 43 years old)
• Internet and discussion groups. (Nikki B., 44 years old)
• CDF; Books. (Teresa, 45 years old)
• “Fine Me Gluten Free” app, because it allowed me to feel like I could socialize again. Before I felt destined to never eat out or socialize with friends/family. (Martina, 45 years old)
• The Gluten Free Life Facebook Page, Google. (Susan H., 46 years old)
• Coeliac UK. The gluten free shop in Norwich. (Rachel, 46 years old)
• Internet, reliable medical reports and essays. (Suad A., 46 year old)
• Talking with people on Facebook with GF experience, and spouse support. (Christina, 47 years old)
• Online groups. (Charlotte, 47 years old)
• Believe it or not Facebook is a good place to find Celiac groups. (Sandra, 47 years old)
• Diet only. (Lisa M., 48 years old)
• Labels. (Olena, 48 years old)
• Initially, The Coeliac Society, but once you know what not to eat it becomes very straightforward. (Rachel F., 49 years old)
• The internet. (Holly, 51 years old)
• The internet. (Alison, 51 years old)
• Internet, several gluten free groups online. (Pattie N., 51 years old)
• The Internet. (Patricia S., 52 years old)
• Internet. (Dawn P., 53 years old)
• Facebook support groups. (Shelley, 53 years old)
• My wife who does shopping and cooking. (Guy, 53 years old)
• Coeliac UK shopping guide and app. (Anonymous, 53 years old)
• Find Me Gluten Free. (Cheryl S., 54 years old)
• Several blogs and internet sites for recipes. (Angela, 56 years old)
• Start with a good nutritionist. Apps on my phone like Gluten Free Registry, Find Me Gluten Free, Fooducate. Also, a few good support groups in person and on Facebook. (Leigh, 57 years old)
• Websites, cookbooks, webinars. (Diane, 57 years old)
• Facebook group. (Bev C., 58 years old)
• Shops are getting better, but not all. (Penny, 58 years old)
• Gluten free. (Anonymous, 58 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Jane S., 58 years old)
• Most celiac-related websites. (Tee, 58 years old)
• books, labels and other celiac people. (Deb G., 58 years old)
• Coeliac Uk. (Maggie, 58 years old)
• Reading, coeliac society and a dietitian. (Paula, 59 years old)
• Online web sites. (Maryann, 59 years old)
• Internet. (Lynn, 60 years old)
• Coeliac UK. (Jan S., 60 years old)
• Celiac.org. (Susan, 61 years old)
• Coeliac website, and I also helped to Ron Coventry and Warwickshire, and support group, which is amine of information from other like people. (Liz, 63 years old)
• Facebook sites. (Carol P., 63 years old)
• Friends on Facebook, the Coeliac Bible from the Coeliac Society. (Marjorie C., 64 years old)
• Various websites for coeliacs. (Christine, 65 years old)
• The INTERNET!! OMG, what a difference between GF before the Net and GF after the Net! I especially like being able to point people to the UCCDC website and use many blog and recipe sites. (Peggy, 65 years old)
• Gluten Dude and celiac.com. (Toni E., 66 years old)
• The book “No Grain, No Pain”. (Carol O., 66 years old)
• Coeliac Ireland. Online support groups. Online forums. My Dietician. My Gasterentologist. (Marion, 66 years old)
• Gluten free magazines. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Food labeling laws. (Anonymous, 67 years old)
• Coeliac UK. Other websites. (Irene W., 70 years old)
• I have found many good recipes on internet. (Barbara, 70 years old)
• Living on fresh food prescription rolls. (Jenny, 71 years old)
• Hospital dietitian. (Betty L., 71 years old)
• Always take snacks with you. (Janet W., 73 years old)
• The internet. (James, 75 years old)
• Reading labels, news from friends about new places to eat or things on the market. (Peter G., 77 years old)
• Facebook groups. (Anonymous A)
• Google. (Anonymous B)