May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month. It is a great time to spread the word about celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
What is Celiac Disease you might ask? Celiac Disease is an auto-immune disorder in which the consumption of foods containing gluten (a form of protein found in some grains e.g. wheat, barley, and rye…) triggers an autoimmune response which damages the small intestine. The damage to the intestine makes it hard for the body to absorb nutrients from food, especially fat, calcium, iron, and folic acid, leading to malnutrition and a variety of other problems such as diarrhea, weight loss, and weakness, that those with celiac disease are all to familiar with.
In the United States, the exact number of people who have Celiac Disease is unknown. Recent screening tests have shown that as many as 1 in every 133 people, or 3 million people in the U.S. alone, may have the disease. Suporting research shows that an additional 17 million Americans are "gluten sensitive." Many of those people are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions that have similar symptoms. The only cure for celiac disease is to follow a gluten free diet.
There are many websites with a wealth of information about celiac disease. Here are a few for you to check out if you would like more information on celiac disease.
Looking for a ideas for spreading the awareness about celiac disease? Here are a few for you to choose from:
- Try out a new restaurant where they have a special gluten free menu or where you have heard they are responsive to special dietary needs. A few of my favorites are; Outback Steakhouse - http://www.outback.com/menu/pdf/glutenfree.pdf, Chili's - http://www.brinker.com/gr/allergens/Chilis%20Allergen.PDF, Old Spaghetti Factory - http://www.osf.com/menu/gluten-free-menu.html, Olive Garden - http://www.olivegarden.com/menus/gluten_free/, and the Melting Pot - http://www.meltingpot.com/our-menu/gluten-free-menu.aspx. Be sure to check out their menus before you go and always talk to your server about any allergies and intolerances that you may have.
- Bring your favorite gluten free treats to your work to share with co-workers. Share with others just how delicious gluten free can be! Here are a few of my favorite treats you can try: Super Yummy Cinnamon Rolls, Divinely Rich Mocha Chocolate Cake, and Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Or if you don't have time to bake something from scratch, try out one of my favorite packaged mixes from The Cravings Place. Their delicious all natural baking mixes include; Ooey Gooey Chocolatey Chewy Brownie Mix, Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix, Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie and Muffin Mix, Peanut Butter Cookie Mix (does NOT contain peanuts, tree nuts or nuts of any kind!), Raisin Spice Cookie and Cake Mix, Cinnamon Crumble Coffeecake Mix, and Dutch Chocolate Cake Mix. All of these baking mixes are gluten, wheat, nut, dairy, and egg free.
- Host a gluten free party with your friends and family and only serve gluten free foods and beverages. One idea is to have a gluten free beer taste testing party. Taste test different brands of gluten free beer served along with some of your favorite gluten free appetizers. Some gluten free beers to look for and try are; Redbridge Beer, Bard's Tale Beer, New Grist Beer, Spreecher Brewery- Mbege and Shakparo Beers, Schnitzerbrau Gluten-Free Beer, New Planet Beer, Green's Gluten-Free Beer, St. Peter's Gluten Free Beer, Estrella Damm Daura, and Ramapo Valley Honey Beer. Bon appetit!
What are some of your ideas for spreading the awareness about celiac disease during celiac awareness month?
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