| Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that is | | | | If you are newly diagnosed, eating gluten free can |
| triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, | | | | seem a bit overwhelming. The good news is that |
| and barley. When gluten is consumed, the body | | | | with more people being diagnosed, it has become |
| produces antibodies to attack the gluten. | | | | a lot easier. There is a better understanding of |
| Unfortunately, these antibodies also attack the | | | | what needs to be avoided, better food labeling, |
| lining of the small intestine. This damage, however, | | | | and more gluten-free products available. If you're |
| can be reversed and the disease treated by | | | | just starting out on this diet, focus on what you |
| following a gluten-free diet. | | | | CAN eat. Fruit, vegetables, corn, potatoes, rice, |
| When I was diagnosed in 2000, celiac disease was | | | | beans, eggs and plain fresh meats are a good |
| considered rare (1 out of 5,000-10,000), so getting | | | | beginning. Summertime is a great time for |
| diagnosed was not easy. I had to point the | | | | gluten-free cooking. Meat cooked on the grill, corn |
| doctors (more like push them) in the right | | | | on the cob and a fresh salad make a great meal. |
| direction. Celiac disease (pronounced see-lee-ak) is | | | | I like to marinade chicken breasts in Italian |
| considered a genetic disorder. That is what led me | | | | dressing. You do have to be careful about |
| discover the source of my problems. I found out | | | | dressings and marinades. Always read the labels. |
| that I had an uncle with celiac disease and started | | | | You might be surprised to learn that most soy |
| searching for information. After reading lists of | | | | and teriyaki sauces contain wheat. |
| symptoms online, I knew that was it. In the end, | | | | As with anything, it's important to keep a good |
| the gastroenterologist said, "You diagnosed | | | | attitude. There are many people enjoying the |
| yourself." | | | | gluten-free lifestyle, and connecting with some of |
| Celiac disease is no longer considered rare. A | | | | those people can be a great help. There are |
| prevalence study conducted by Dr. Alesio Fasano | | | | many ways to connect online, but even better is |
| a the University of Maryland Center for Celiac | | | | a local support group. An Internet search for |
| Research found that 1 out of 133 people have | | | | "celiac support groups" should help you find a |
| celiac disease. Since the results of that study | | | | group near you. |
| were published in 2003, doctors have been | | | | Welcome to the celiac community and happy |
| diagnosing many more patients. | | | | gluten-free eating. |