Gluten, ah yes, that buzzword that seems to be taking over our modern day vocabulary when it comes to food and everything in between. What even is gluten and where can it be found? Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale (cross between wheat and rye). It is a substance that acts as a glue and helps keep foods together. It is also what makes cakes and bread so fluffy. Gluten is a sneaky compound that is found in almost every pre-packaged food as well as in our kitchens, restaurants and even in our beauty products. All it takes is just one microscopic piece of gluten to cause a reaction for a Celiac. To learn more about gluten and where it hides visit Celiac.org .
We’ve been hearing quite a bit about Celiac Disease A LOT lately. Is it a new disease? What is it and why is everyone talking about it? Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s immune system to go into attack mode when one ingests gluten. This response forces the body to attack the small intestine which in turn causes damage to the villi causing improper digestion of nutrients. Not only does gluten contribute to the destruction of intestinal villi, it also causes a wide range of symptoms from brain fog to tingling feet that can make everyday life hard for those that suffer from it. Celiac disease is not something new, it has been around for over 2000 years. There is no cure and the only treatment for it is to adhere to a strict gluten free diet. To learn more about Celiac Disease visit csaceliacs.org.
Okay, all of this information about gluten and CD is great and all, but who does it affect? Celiac Disease affects both children and adults. Due to the nature of the disease itself it can take years to get a proper diagnosis. Gluten causes many symptoms including; fatigue, bloating, irritability, joint pain, stomach pain, migraines, brain fog and more. The good news is not everyone that experiences gluten-related symptoms has Celiac Disease. Studies show that 1 in 100 people have Celiac Disease and about 6% of people have a known gluten intolerance. Gluten intolerance is formally referred to as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). To learn more click here.
Please note: This post is NOT sponsored, however, I did receive the pasta for free. I would never share anything that I personally do not love or use. A few weeks ago, I received a box of goodies from Jovial. Among those goodies was a box of their gluten free brown rice farfalle (aka bow…
When I was suffering for YEARS and going from doctor to doctor to get an answer for my problems, I never expected that the diagnosis I would receive would change my life forever in the best way possible. Now don’t get me wrong, Celiac Disease is no joke and on an average day I put…
With Cinco De Mayo right around the corner, I figured I would spice things up and bring you a Mexican inspired dish this week! I really love Mexican cuisine because it is SO easy to make gluten and dairy free. My mom used to make a different Mexican inspired dish every day of the week…
This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. If you follow me on Instagram, then you know I have been (obsessively) talking about this thing called Brandless and how much I LOVE it. I even did an Instagram live unboxing of the very first box that I ordered a few weeks…
This past weekend I visited one of my best friends that just recently relocated a few hours south of Atlanta. I have Celiac Disease so that makes eating in a foreign place somewhat complicated. Since I had the luxury of staying in her home, I sent down a bunch of safe food a few days before my…
This post contains some affiliate links. The prices remain the same for you. If you do choose to order any of the products through my affiliate link(s) I thank you for your support. Please see my disclosure for more information. This post is not sponsored in any way. This past weekend was St. Patrick’s Day…