Gluten Free and You Digest: May 2011

The Gluten Free and You Digest is a segment of this blogspot dedicated to celiac disease awareness. By highlighting current events I hope to raise awareness as well as spotlight positive news stories in the gluten free and celiac community. 

May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month and I find it very fitting to renew the GFY Digest segment of the blogspot at this time. I am happy to report on the Making Tracks for Celiacs Run/Walk to benefit the Center for Celiac Research at the University of Maryland.  The total funds raised to date is $91,696. Isn't that fantastic? If you don't know about the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research I encourage you to visit their website.

Photo from http://www.citylifeeats.com/

Another significant event that went on this month was called 1 in 133 This was the first Gluten Free Food Labeling Summit held in Washington, D.C. on May 4, 2011. The purpose of this summit was unmistakable. The largest gluten free cake was assembled to symbolize that clear, accurate, reliable food labeling is critical in the lives of people dependent on labeling for their health.  I would like to thank the leading members of the gluten free community, noted celiac disease researchers, and food corporations for participating in the
summit. I participated in this effort by sending an email and signing a petition to encourage the FDA to complete food labeling standards!


On Friday May, 27th , a Celiac Awareness Night took place at Citi Field in Flushing, NY. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness and R.O.C.K. Long Island benefited from tickets sold through a special offer. The New York Mets hosted the Philadelphia Phillies, and most importantly, gluten-free concessions were available. In addition, Elizabeth Hasselbeck of The View and author of The G-Free Diet was honored in pre-game festivities.

As recent as May 18, 2011,  reports show some athletes believe that a gluten free diet enhances performance. The question is, do these athletes medically require a gluten free diet or is the fad label fueling this phenomenon? Not being a physician myself  I may never know. Example one comes from The Gluten Free Society where a young man describes his path to diagnosis and wellness. See the link for the full story. Another example is that of Novak Djokovic, finalist of the US Open, winner of the Davis Cup and the Australian Open and currently enjoying a 39 match winning streak. It is being reported by Tennis Connected that Djokvic attributes his success to the gluten free diet, however, he was successful before the diagnosis and diet change.

Many will debate the facts and findings, emotions and opinions, I pray for the health and safety of all those in search of a diagnosis for celiac and other illnesses. The gluten free diet has absolutely had a positive impact in my life.