What is this thing called Celiac?

      So, I'm guessing some people visiting this blog right now might not even know what this “Celiac” thing is or may be newly diagnosed. Here is a technical definition, along with what gluten is:

“Celiac Disease (CD) is a lifelong inherited autoimmune condition affecting children and adults. When people with CD eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with CD and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel even when there are no symptoms present.

Gluten is the common name for the proteins in specific grains that are harmful to persons with Celiac disease. These proteins are found in ALL forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, Kamut®, einkorn and faro) and related grains rye, barley and triticale and MUST be eliminated.”

Source: UCLA: the villa in a normal stomach and a CD stomach

This quote if from Celiac.org, a website that tells you tons of stuff about Celiac. For kids and families, there is this on Celiac.com, and the main part of the site has cool things like what you can and can't eat, good and bad candy, and lots more! Bookmark this site, and the Celiac.org site, because it will be very useful in gluten-free life. 

       To paraphrase, Celiac is a disease you can't get rid of, and the longer you eat gluten-free, the better you'll feel. And, eventually you won't really notice you have it. Don't eat gluten EVER or else you'll get things like stomach cramps, bloating, and other really bad stuff :(. <---I got this symptom information from my mom. I wouldn't know because I've been on the right diet for so long ;). If you're another kid who has Celiac, you're life isn't over. You won't starve, because there's PLENTY of stuff to eat still. More on that in later posts.

       If you think that you're gonna be an “outcast” in school, it's not like that. Yeah, you can't eat at any more of those pizza or ice cream rewards at school and stuff like that, but from my experiences, people won't hate you if you tell them you have Celiac. In fact, everyone who I've told is nice about it. The good thing about Celiac is, at least you don't have an allergy that requires you to carry something like an epi pen. Things could be worse. If you eat right, you can have a really healthy diet, but I'll cover that more some another day. If you have questions on Celiac Disease or gluten free, comment below.

      NOTE: When people are tested for Celiac and don't have enough gluten in their system, the tests might come back negative, as in you don't have Celiac. That's OK, because if you suspect you have Celiac or gluten allergy/intolerance, try some gluten-free/Celiac-friendly food I'll be showing you how to make. If being on a gluten free diet makes you feel better, keep eating gluten-free.