Celiac Awareness Month fun fact #14

Bulk food items can save you money, but are they safe if you have Celiac Disease? 

The answer is probably not. Even if the store is careful about using designated bins for the GF items, you don't know if another consumer used a scoop from an item that had gluten in it. To me it's worth paying a little more for an item that is certified GF that is wrapped from the manufacturer. 

Celiac Awareness Month fun fact #12

Gluten free is not a weight loss diet 

Yes, some people lose weight going gluten free, but the people with success do not replace the gluten items with gluten free versions. Remember, celebs that lose weight going gluten free also have dietitians, personal trainers & chefs helping them achieve their goals. 

There are entire isles of gluten free junk food such as cookies, cakes, chips & crackers. Often people who are forced to go gluten free feel so restricted that they feel they should reward themselves with gluten free goodies. For best weight loss results, avoid overindulging in processed gluten free foods. 

Celiac Awareness Month fun fact #10

Many people with Celiac Disease are also lactose intolerant.

The villi that are damaged in your intestines from CD also help break down certain proteins, such as lactose. However there is hope. In time, with a strict gluten free diet, your villi will begin to heal and re-grow. Once you are healed, your lactose intolerance may go away. Beware though, one case of gluten ingestion may cause the lactose intolerance to reoccur.

Celiac Disease Awareness month fun fact #9

If you have celiac disease, you should have your own designated condiments.

If I have a tub of margarine & a family member is making regular toast and gets bread crumbs in the margarine, it is contaminated. Same goes for peanutbutter, mayo, cream cheese...anything in a tub that people may double dip into.

For convenience , try to buy squeeze bottles of condiments when you can. Always label your designated gluten free items & show family members which is yours. I suggest buying a different brand, so there won't be any accidental cross contamination.

Celiac Awareness month fun fact #2

Flour dust can stay airborne for 24 hours after you use it.

That is why I threw out all wheat flour in my house and replaced it with gluten free flour. It is also why if I purchase baked goods, I only purchase from dedicated gluten free facilities.

Celiac Awareness Month fun fact # 1

Did you know that sauerkraut contains more good bacteria than yogurt?

Many people with Celiac Disease have an overgrowth of bad bacteria in their gut, due to the damage of the villi in our intestines.

This picture shows the hairs (villi) in a healthy intestine and the villi in a Celiac intestine. The villi die, which creates pockets in your intestine that the bad bacteria can get into, which can also cause "leaky gut syndrome"