Celiac Disease info

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune condition where eating gluten damages the small intestine. It can feel overwhelming at first — but with the right information and support, gluten-free living does get easier.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is a serious autoimmune disorder.
When someone with Celiac Disease eats gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye — their immune system reacts by damaging the lining of the small intestine.

This damage makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients, which can lead to symptoms that affect the entire body — not just the stomach.

There is currently no cure, but there is a way to manage it safely:
Following a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet.

Understanding Gluten

Gluten is a protein found in:

  • Wheat

  • Barley

  • Rye

  • & most products made from them

This includes everyday foods like:

  • Bread and pasta

  • Cereals

  • Cakes and cookies

  • Sauces and soups (hidden gluten!)

  • Soy sauce

  • Some candies and ice creams

  • Many processed foods

Gluten can also be found in unexpected places, such as:

  • Medications

  • Vitamins

  • Lip balm

  • Play-doh (yes — even play-doh!)

Learning where gluten hides takes time — but it does get easier.

Common Symptoms

(Everyone is different — symptoms may vary)

Digestive Symptoms

  • Stomach pain

  • Bloating

  • Diarrhea or constipation

  • Gas

  • Nausea / vomiting

Non-Digestive Symptoms

  • Fatigue

  • Brain fog

  • Depression or anxiety

  • Skin rashes

  • Joint pain

  • Headaches

  • Malnutrition / deficiencies

  • Mouth ulcers

Some people have no noticeable symptoms, even while damage is occurring internally.
That’s why diagnosis and medical support are so important.

How is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?

Celiac Disease is typically diagnosed through:

  • Blood tests
  • Endoscopic biopsy

⚠️ It’s important not to stop eating gluten before testing, as it can affect results. Always speak with a doctor before making major dietary changes.

We are not medical professionals — we’re here to support, not diagnose.
Please consult a healthcare provider for personal advice or medical decisions.

Living Gluten-Free

A strict gluten-free diet means avoiding:

  • Wheat

  • Barley

  • Rye

  • Foods that may have been cross-contaminated

It also means learning:

  • How to read labels

  • How to spot hidden gluten

  • Safe vs unsafe brands

  • Cross-contamination risks

Cross-Contamination Matters

Gluten-free food must stay separate from gluten-containing food.
For example:

  • Separate toasters

  • Separate cooking surfaces

  • Separate utensils

  • Careful restaurant choices

It may feel overwhelming at first — but with time, it becomes second nature.

Gluten-Free Products & Ingredients

There are more gluten-free options now than ever before.

Many of the recipes on this site include links to ingredients that we use in our own kitchen — these may be affiliate links, but we share them because they’ve truly made gluten-free living easier for us.

Browse ingredients we trust:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/L8Y67YC3D35L?ref_=wl_share