Long winter nights, warm seasonal traditions, and counting down to a new year—December is often a time for reminiscing and reflection.
I’ve been thinking lately about what life was like with celiac disease when I was first diagnosed over 30 years ago. Back then, the gluten-free diet was virtually unknown in the U.S. It wasn’t until 2010 that it gained popularity as a fad diet, and during my early days, there were no standard labels for gluten-free foods or even allergen warnings. Gluten-free options were scarce in grocery stores. Patients attending support groups would often band together to bulk order gluten-free products from Canada or share tips on which companies were responsive to inquiries and had confirmed that their products were gluten-free.
Today, Americans can reliably find a variety of gluten-free foods on grocery store shelves nationwide. If local options are limited, certified gluten-free treats can be shipped directly to your doorstep within a few days. What an improvement in food availability alone!
While it is certainly easier now than it was back then, living with celiac disease is still a challenge. Our team knows this firsthand; many of us either have celiac disease or parent a child with it. Our lived experiences guide our commitment to caring for our community’s needs today and keeping an eye on the future with a cure—a future beyond celiac disease.
During this season, we think about what it would be like to celebrate holidays free from anxiety, especially since many year-end traditions center around food. Until treatments or a cure make it safe for us to eat without fear, Beyond Celiac is here to help you celebrate with confidence, regardless of your food traditions.
A few ways to get started:
Living with celiac disease brings surprises and challenges, whether you’re new to the gluten-free diet or have been living with it for decades. It is difficult to reconfigure one of your most basic needs in a world that still misunderstands celiac disease. We aren’t beyond celiac disease yet, but take a moment to celebrate how far you have come on your journey with it. And remember, Beyond Celiac is here as trusted professionals in the field and as individuals living with celiac disease.
Friends, we have improved the world before, and we will do it again. When we compare where we started to where we are now, it’s clear that we are making progress beyond just the gluten-free diet. A world where we can celebrate with complete confidence is on the horizon, and as a community, together with researchers and advocates, we are making it happen!
We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!
Together for a world beyond celiac!
—Alice Bast
Want to bring a unique appetizer to your holiday potluck? Try this tasty, breaded artichoke recipe! Fried artichokes are a classic dish in Rome during the autumn and winter months, but this baked version is easier and healthier. Enjoy!
Peanut butter blossoms are a favorite of many during the holiday season, and with just a few ingredients, this recipe is definitely easier than pie.
This recipe was provided by our friends at Gluten-Free Palate.
Are digestive symptoms required for someone to be diagnosed with celiac disease?
No, a patient does not need to experience digestive symptoms to be diagnosed with celiac disease. The only requirement for a diagnosis is damage to the small intestine. Patients can experience digestive symptoms, neurological symptoms, or even no symptoms at all (asymptomatic). Each person is different, which is why celiac disease can be difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone.
Only 10 percent of nearly 224,000 children who had a symptom or condition that should have led to celiac disease testing were actually tested, Beyond Celiac research found.
Screening for celiac disease falls short of recommended guidelines, Beyond Celiac research finds
Beyond Celiac recently presented three posters that provide evidence that screening for celiac disease is not taking place as often as it should, that neurological symptoms are frequent and severe and that those with celiac disease are often exposed to gluten, which impacts their social interactions and work.
Watch Presentations from Celiac Disease Researchers
Check out videos from our 2024 Research Summit, where scientists funded by Beyond Celiac presented their work and answered questions from audience members like you! You can watch on our website, at BeyondCeliac.org/2024-research-summit, or on our YouTube channel, @BeyondCeliac.
Read more research news on our Research News Feed
Carol Johnston, an Arizona State University Professor of Nutrition, and Mehul Shekar, an ASU Barrett Honors student who has celiac disease, are conducting a study to explore traits in individuals with celiac disease. They are inviting adults with celiac disease, aged 18 and over, to participate in an online survey that will ask demographic questions such as age, sex, height and weight, and income, as well as questions about cooking skills, habits, and other traits. You will NOT be asked to provide your name or other identifying information. You may quit the survey at any time if you do not want to continue answering questions. It will take about 20 minutes to complete. You have the right not to answer any question and to stop the survey at any time. Your participation in this study is voluntary and your name will not be known. If you are interested in completing the survey, please visit the link below.
This survey intends to provide greater clarity on the experiences that people with celiac disease have when exposed to gluten, including the top symptoms with a negative impact and how symptoms and gluten exposure negatively impact quality of life.
If you’re signed up for Go Beyond Celiac, we invite you to log in and complete this survey. If you haven’t already joined, please become a member of Go Beyond Celiac and start sharing your story today.
Learn more about Go Beyond Celiac
“I lost an outrageous amount of weight, my hair started falling out, I had red skin and rashes on my face, and I bloated incredibly after every meal. I had no idea when walking into my pediatrician’s office that celiac could have even been an option.
Wrapping my head around celiac disease somewhat controlling a lot of aspects of my life did not come easily at first. It took a lot of patience, and I had to learn how to be kind to myself, giving myself more grace.”
Tooth Tales: How Gluten Can Take a Bite Out of Dental Health
From pitted tooth enamel to canker sores, oral health may be a sneaky sign of celiac disease. Yet too few dentists are filled in on the risks.
Get Gluten-Free Recipes for the Holidays
The holiday season is in full swing! Need gluten-free recipe ideas? Check out our Holiday Feasts page, download our Savor the Holidays e-cookbook, or simply search the recipe section of our website for your dream recipe! Any recipe on our website is gluten-free, but be sure to review the ingredients list on any product you buy to ensure it’s safely gluten-free.
Raise Money for Beyond Celiac on Facebook!
Happy birth-month to all our December-born community members! When your big day rolls around, consider raising money for Beyond Celiac so that we can help fund new research by scientists in the celiac disease field. And a HUGE thank you to everyone who’s created fundraisers for us throughout the years! These fundraisers help make our important work possible.
Opt-in to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
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