It may seem now that being gluten free is just a fad. But for people with celiac disease, avoiding gluten is the only way to prevent long-term autoimmune damage to the small intestine. This damage caused to the lining of the small intestine can cause diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating and anemia, and can cause difficulty in absorbing nutrients in food, called malabsorption [1]. Consuming gluten if you have celiac disease can also cause a skin disease in some cases called dermatitis herpetiformis, which is an itchy, blistering rash. [1] There are many other symptoms associated with celiac disease, including irritability, vomiting, poor appet

We may be halfway through the month of Halloween, but it’s also National Baking Week—and no, it’s not just for the Food Network!

The great thing about baking is that it’s an activity the whole family can do together, or can be done with a friend and the results shared! Baking also allows you to have more control over the ingredients in your food, and make substitutions where needed for allergies, intolerances and sensitivities, special diets, and plain old preference! After all, when was the last time a store-bought chocolate chip cookie was as delicious as one that was fresh out of the oven?

This week, we’ve