Have you ever wondered how reliable the news you see on the television really is?

Now I know first hand that the media does not always get it right and can even leave out the most important news of all.

Let me tell you how …

For the last five years, I have worked to educate people about celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. I developed a website called Glutenfreeworks.com, which has helped tens of thousands get well and stay healthy living the gluten-free lifestyle.

I also edited and published the groundbreaking work, Recognizing Celiac Disease. This medical reference, authored by Cleo Libonati, RN, BSN has set the standard for identifying symptoms and their causes.

People use Glutenfreeworks.com every day to find new gluten-free recipes, how to get diagnosed for celiac disease, which restaurants serve gluten free food in their area and where to find information on local support groups. Our symptom guide, first published in Recognizing Celiac Disease, contains over 300 signs, symptoms, associated disorders and complications. From nutritional information to in-depth reviews of gluten disorders and the gluten-free diet, Glutenfreeworks.com provides medically accurate information to help patients and health professionals alike.

Last week I was given the opportunity to talk to ABC News in Philadelphia about gluten sensitivity, the gluten-free diet and how people’s lives are being affected by gluten.

When I sat down with ABC for a 20 minute interview on gluten sensitivity we discussed the following: Read More »

On February 10th, I will be presenting Celiac Disease: Educating for Life to the Chester County Gluten Intolerance Group. This important topic covers the obstacles to prompt, successful diagnosis and treatment in the United States and the need for physician education to overcome these obstacles, reverse public frustration with the medical community and stop the shift of the public’s focus from celiac disease and gluten sensitivity to the gluten-free diet fad. Read More »

Believe it or not, Panera Bread offers quite a few options for those needing to stick to a gluten-free diet.

GLUTEN FREE LIST – Panera Bread ** Read More »

On January 12th in participating U.S. Starbucks stores, customers saw a line of new snack options with 220 calories or less per serving. The exciting news about these snacks-on-the-go is that at least 8 of the 9 are gluten-free. These new snacks are:

* Annie’s® Snacks: These delicious alternatives to traditional snacks are available in portion controlled sizes exclusive to Starbucks. They are labeled ‘naturally gluten free’ on the box. They are organic, contain no artificial colors or flavors, and are vegan/gelatin free and fat free. These fruit snacks can be purchased locally at health food stores and grocery stores.

* FoodShouldTasteGood®: Available in Multigrain and Sweet Potato, the all-natural chips are packed with quality ingredients. These chips are GFCO certified, so guaranteed gluten free and are quite tasty. The chips can be purchased locally at health food stores and grocery stores. Read More »

Kansas City Restaurant diners are in an elite group! Houlihan’s is unveiling their new small plates menu and Kansas City is on their list of test markets. The best part for the gluten free elite? Five of the 30+ dishes on the menu are gluten free.

The new small plates menu from Houlihan’s was developed in response to the rising trend in smaller portion sizing. Read More »

With Valentine’s Day just a few short weeks away, why not treat your loved one (or yourself for that matter) to some delicious chocolate from Sweet Riot?

Sweet Riot is not only tasty chocolate, it’s chocolate with a purpose. All of their chocolate “peaces” are made from all-natural ingredients, and the company has a strong commitment to fair trade and ethical business practices. You can learn more about their mission statement here. Read More »

Recently, I had the pleasure to interview award-winning production manager, Richard ‘Wez’ Wearing. Living in the UK, Wez has worked with hundreds of bands such as Mika, Take That, Scissor Sisters, Sex Pistols, PIL, Iron Maiden, Manic Street Preachers, Celtic Thunder and Sarah Brightman. He has a demanding career that takes him around the world, working non-stop on a tight schedule.

Richard Wez Wearing, Suggs of Madness, Andy Rourke former bassist of The Smiths

Diagnosed with celiac in 2007, this added an additional level of challenges to an already hectic lifestyle, but he doesn’t let that inhibit him in any way.

Wez was recently in Chicago this past October with Mika at the Riveria.

Q – Were you already touring when you were diagnosed? If so, how did it immediately change your outlook on touring?

A – I was already touring, it was a great relief to find out why I was so run down all the time, but it took time for it to completely sink in. Read More »

It’s the beginning of a new year and writers, websites, and magazines are compiling their top trends lists, as predictions for the upcoming year. After all, it’s 2010 now, and seems the best time to reflect on all of last year’s most notable food fads in order to foresee what the upcoming year will bring us in food pop culture and consumerism.

Gluten-free eating has become more and more popular and mainstream over the last few years, as more people are being diagnosed with Celiac disease and gluten intolerance/allergies (either by medical professionals or via simple elimination diets). So it’s not surprising that among the many predictions for 2010’s favorite edibles, The Daily Beast has named gluten-free food as number three on their Ten Food Trends For 2010 list. As the website says, Read More »

The traditional look of celiac disease was an underweight person. However, a large minority (39%) are now found to be overweight at diagnosis.

A woman with a history of struggling to lose weight is diagnosed with celiac disease. After starting the gluten-free diet she loses 50 lbs in less than a year…seemingly without effort. A middle-aged man who has never had issues with his weight is diagnosed with celiac disease, adopts the gluten-free diet and begins to pack on pounds and doesn’t know why. A young man loses over 20 lbs in less than 3 months and reaches his ideal weight after going gluten-free.

These are true stories – in fact the last one was mine. Read More »

Fast-food chains are quickly joining the gluten-free party with menus featuring gluten-free foods. Burger King is the latest with their recent publication of a gluten-free menu that goes so far as to include a chicken breast filet!

New Gluten-Sensitive List Available at www.bk.com

MIAMI – Jan. 5, 2010 – Burger King Corp. (NYSE: BKC) today released a Gluten-Sensitive List: foods and ingredients on the BURGER KING® restaurant menu in the U.S. that do not contain wheat, barley, oats or rye. As part of nutrition efforts under its BK Positive Steps® corporate social responsibility program, the gluten-sensitive nutrition information supports BKC’s commitment to provide guests with access to detailed nutrition information so they can make informed choices that fit their dietary and lifestyle preferences. Read More »