Aside from specializing in Anal Warts (HPV), Hemorrhoids and Colonoscopies, as I'm also a gastroenterologist I handle hundreds of celiac cases each month. Many of my patients who are suffering from "celiac" and "non celiac gluten sensitivity" are afraid of the life before them should they decide to change their eating habits. As gluten-free alternative have matriculated into our grocery stores (even Ralph's sells gluten free), and at our sandwich shop (Mendocino Farms is the best), it's become much easier to have gluten-free offered to you versus digging to find it. -- Dr. Dale
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7 Things Only Gluten-Free People Understand
Despite the trendiness of going gluten-free, only about 1 in 133 people truly have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Another small group have a condition doctors call "non-celiac gluten sensitivity" that can also produce symptoms.
In addition to the stomach trouble, joint pain, mood swings and other symptoms, people who don't eat gluten often also face seemingly-endless peeving comments like, "I could never give up bread!"
But dealing with both uncomfortable symptoms and uncomfortable situations has a silver lining: There are certain lessons learned by only those who eat gluten-free. We asked our Twitter followers and Facebook fans to share some of those truths with us. Here are a few of our favorites. If you're gluten-free, you know... 1. That there are so many other yummy, yummy alternatives! --Tara Francy Brown
2. That the people serving, selling and distributing your food really have no clue how it is made, and what is in it. --Dylan Armstrong
3. Processed foods have taken over. --Optamus Primel
4. How much gluten can affect both physical and mental wellbeing. --Laura B. Russell
5. Gluten is hidden in soy sauce, beer, some mocha powders in coffee shops and many salad dressings. --Elizabeth Paul
6. How good you feel without it!! --@FayeWoodhead
7. That's there's tons of food that I can eat. --Debbie Cronrath Hassel
