Gluten Free and Glutton Free

My friend and I make quite the dining pair. When we meet for a mom's lunch out, she has to watch for gluten and I am watching my carbs. Unfortunately, her celiac disease has much more serious consequences than if I sneak a roll.

Celiac disease is a genetic disorder that leads to intestinal damage when gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley and rye — is consumed. My friend learned that the gluten damages the villi in her stomach causing them to lie flat, resulting in improper digestion of certain foods and leading to other uncomfortable symptoms. These symptoms vary, but in my friend's case included anemia, weight loss (which she didn't need), and other factors. She has seen a marked improvement since cutting out all gluten. She was shocked when diagnosed by a physician with this condition. She thought the doctor must be crazy. The doctor also told her that she was mal-nourished despite her current vitamin intake.

For more specific information, check out this site on Gluten Intolerance or a site completely committed to celiac disease sufferers here. Studies are now showing that 1 in 133 Americans suffer from this disease. It isn't going away!

My friend struggles with eating out, eating at friend's houses and generally with what to cook for herself. She is trying out a website I found this week that has tons of gluten-free information and recipes. I'll let you know how it goes or better yet, if you need it, try it yourself! Go to Gluten-Free Goddess for lots of great tips.

Another gluten-free article came through the filters yesterday through the Digestive Health Smart Brief (a free e-mail newsletter for the gut) that discussed the increased awareness in restaurants, both fast food and fancy, to beef up their gluten-free options which also fits nicely into my carb counting craze. We should have no problem finding places to meet soon.
Some treats we can both enjoy are fresh fruits, salads (as long as the sauces and dressings are gluten free), nuts and more. Sounds healthy, right?! 

My friend found out that certain cosmetics have gluten in them and has to be extra careful everywhere with anything she encounters. Even some generic vitamins include gluten. It is truly incredible but making that drastic change and commitment to staying gluten free has been truly beneficial and vital to her quality of life. I am enjoying the benefits of these discussions with great body healthy tips to eating and increased weight loss. (Yeah!!)

Feel free to leave your own ideas.