July 2021

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Note from Alice: Traveling after a pandemic

Summer is upon us and with places easing COVID-19 restrictions, some of you may be taking your first vacation in a long while. It can be nerve-wracking on multiple levels. For those of us with celiac disease, we will once again struggle to find restaurants that serve truly gluten-free food, stuff suitcases with snacks rather than clothes, and, unfortunately, may spend a portion of our vacation in the bathroom and bed, suffering from gluten exposure.

A vacation is a time to experience new places, new cultures and new people. It’s a time to relax. It should be a break from stress and routine, but sometimes that day-to-day routine is what helps people with celiac disease feel comfortable and in control: overseeing what food is bought, how it is prepared, and how it is served. That loss of control can bring about feelings of anxiety—not exactly a fun break. In some ways, vacations highlight our differences even more. We may feel judged by restaurant staff and locals, or even those relatives we might not see too often. The idea of vacationing again reminds me that we are never truly free from celiac disease.

I recently spoke with Bravo’s Married to Medicine reality TV star Kari Wells for our Celiac Straight Talk podcast, and she shared stories of her success in dining while traveling. She reminded me that it’s important for those of us with celiac disease to not allow the diet to intimidate us into staying home. The conversation inspired me to share some of my tips for staying healthy and sane when taking a trip:

• Research the destination, culture, and food extensively beforehand. What sort of food do the locals normally eat, and does it contain gluten? Are there any dedicated gluten-free restaurants in the city you’re going to? It might be a good idea to get lodgings near those restaurants. Are there any language or cultural differences that would make asking for accommodations especially challenging? All things to consider.
• Enlist an ally, if you can. If you’re visiting someone, ask them to try out restaurants before you go, or ask them to translate for you when at a restaurant. If you’re traveling with someone, ask them to remind you to double-check that your food is gluten-free before you dig in and eat.
• When you arrive at your destination, scope out the nearest grocery store. What products do they have that you can eat in case there are no gluten-free restaurants open? At the very least fruits and vegetables are internationally gluten-free.
• Focus on the fun. It’s supposed to be a vacation, not an exercise in pain! Soak up the sun, see the nightlife, go hiking and investigate small, local stores. Eating is only half of the adventure.
• Plan for contingencies. The worst case scenario is you can’t find any gluten-free food or you get glutened. Be sure to pack a few filling gluten-free snacks (in your carry-on and checked luggage) and anything you rely on to feel better in case digestive disaster strikes.
• Don’t beat yourself up. Not every trip will go perfectly, even without an autoimmune disease. Take your mistakes in stride and use them to improve your next trip.

I do not pretend to have trip-taking down to a science. As much as I plan, things happen that are out of my control. But life is worth living, and traveling is part of what enriches the human experience. Yes, I may have the occasional negative experience, but I believe it’s better to try than to stay home for the rest of my life. I will not allow this disease to shackle me anymore than it needs to. I encourage you to do the same.

At Beyond Celiac, we envision a future free from the burden of celiac disease. With our strategic science plan and partnerships, Beyond Celiac is already making strides toward that new world: one where those with celiac disease can travel freely, be spontaneous, and eat without fear—a world Beyond Celiac.

Together for a cure,

Alice

About Chef Oonagh Williams

Oonagh Williams holds a culinary arts degree and spends her time cooking and educating the public on gluten- and allergy-free diets. She herself has celiac disease and food allergies. She teaches cooking classes, hosts dinner parties, and offers one-on-one help. Buy her Delicious Gluten-Free Cooking e-book and connect with her on Facebook.

July 28 Town Hall: 10 Biggest Changes in the Celiac Disease World

Join Beyond Celiac Director of Scientific Affairs, Amy Ratner as she discusses major advances in the celiac disease world with Erica Dermer of Celiac and the Beast.  Learn how the world has drastically changed for those with celiac disease since Amy’s daughter was diagnosed in the 90s and Erica was diagnosed in the early aughts—and what the future might hold for those in the community.

Learn more and register

Noticias sobre investigación

Composition of breast milk not affected by mother’s celiac disease
The breast milk of mothers with celiac disease on a gluten-free diet is not functionally different from the breast milk of mothers who don’t have celiac disease, a new study finds.

Brain Fog Survey Reveals Details About the Symptom
Brain fog is a symptom that gets a lot of attention in the celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity communities, but not as much attention from researchers.

Italian screening study finds increasing prevalence of celiac disease
Mass screening program finds high rates of celiac disease in children.

The burden of celiac disease includes ongoing symptoms, missed workdays and disordered eating
Early results of research into the symptoms that would prompt someone to take a drug to treat celiac disease, the relationship between celiac disease and disordered eating, and the number of workdays lost due to celiac disease were presented at a recent meeting of gastroenterologists.