Celebrities

In light of the recent article by Huffington Post entitled “Famous and Gluten Free?” it seems like the perfect time to update my article on celebrities who have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease to include those who are also gluten sensitive, wheat intolerant, or those who choose to eat gluten-free foods.

The term gluten free is being used in the media quite often.  Sometimes it is use appropriately and other times the gluten-free diet is touted as a ‘fad diet’, ‘weight-loss diet’, ‘dangerous diet’, etc. Jeopardy recently used gluten free foods as a category.

It is also apparent that TV shows want to get in on the action and openly ‘mock’ the disease and perpetuate the ‘fad diet’ aspect.  Gossip Girl, 2 Broke Girls, and Man Up are the recent offenders and it seems Read More »

Novak Djokovic: #1 Tennis Player in the World & Gluten-free!

On September 12, a gluten-free Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal to win the men’s US Open Final.
Djokovic, the #1 men’s tennis player in the world, credits his adoption of the gluten-free diet at the recommendation of a nutritionist in 2010 for his incredible success in 2011. He has won an astounding 64 out of 66 matches and 3 out of 4 Grand Slams in 2011.

Djokovic said in interviews that removing gluten from his diet has resulted in his increased speed, endurance and improved play. In his own words, he feels better, moves better and thinks better.

While watching the grueling 4 hour and 10 minute US Open Final and listening to the announcers repeatedly describe it as one of the most intense they had ever witnessed, a nagging thought begged the question…  Read More »

Finally it seems that athletes have become savvy to the benefits of a gluten free diet.  As the general population has started to become more aware of the prevalence of gluten sensitivities and Celiac Disease, there has been a noted increase in the number of athletes turning to the gluten free lifestyle in an attempt to maximize their training and find greater success in their respective sports.

Among the most notable athletes making the gluten free switch are Raul Ibanez of the Philadelphia Phillies, Cedric Benson of the Cincinnati Bengals, and tennis player Novak Djokovic, the 2011 winner of Wimbledon who went on an unprecedented 43-match win streak.  Most significant about their decision to go gluten free is the marked improvement in all three athletes after the switch. Read More »

Brandy Wendler, the new Mrs. Alaska, has celiac disease.

April 8, 2011, Anchorage, Alaska: Brandy Wendler, wife of JohnRoss Wendler, pilot officer of Elmendorf Air Force Base who is serving in Japan’s relief effort, was crowned Mrs. Alaska United States 2011 in front of a packed auditorium at the Wilda Marston Theatre in Anchorage on Saturday, April 2^nd, 2011.  

Although the Mrs. Alaska pageant was Mrs. Wendler’s first time competing in a pageant, her passion for speaking about Celiac disease, a disease Mrs. Wendler was diagnosed with 3 years ago, stole the hearts of the judges and the entire audience. 

Mrs. Alaska United States is a prestigious and elite title, which requires each contestant to choose a Read More »

Dana Delany, the Emmy Award winning actress best known for her roles in China Beach, Desperate Housewives and the new ABC series Body of Proof, revealed she was diagnosed with gluten intolerance in this month’s edition of Prevention Magazine. 

“I don’t like meat, so I don’t eat it. I just prefer vegetables, tofu, and fish. And recently I was told by my endocrinologist that I am gluten intolerant. I’m not supposed to eat bread or pasta, which is really hard when you don’t eat meat. But I’m trying gluten-free pasta, bread. It makes you less bloated and sluggish when you cut it out of your diet.” Read More »

Isaiah Mustafa, the actor build best known for his impressive build, good humor and over-the-top bravado in the Emmy-nominated Old Spice commercials, recently revealed the diet he follows to achieve his chiseled physique on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

According to Mustafa, celebrity trainer Tony Horton has him on a diet that contains no alcohol, caffeine, processed sugar, animal products or gluten. Horton is the producer of the wildly popular workout videos, P90X.

Read More »

The latest celebrity to announce her affinity for the gluten-free diet is the one and only, Madonna.  In celebration of her 52nd birthday and her son’s 10th, the Queen of Pop will be hosting a party with a King and Queen theme. Madge does not maintain a strictly gluten-free diet, but announced that some GF treats including brownies will be served at the high-profile fête.

This news means more publicity for Read More »