The CeliAct Blog

As we discussed toward the end of 2012, the gluten-free community has made huge progress in the past few years. Luckily, 2013 was no different, and we continue to see excellent momentum in medicine, in government, and in society at large. Let’s face it. Having to follow a strict gluten-free diet affects us all day every day. That’s why it’s such big news to us when we hear of advancements and changes that make our lives easier. While there’s been a lot of positive for the gluten-free community in 2013, here are our top 3 stories… – FDA Finalizes Gluten-Free Food Labeling   In the beginning of August this year, the Food and Drug Administration finalized […]

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Thanksgiving is a time dedicated to family and feasting. In fact, it might be the most food-oriented holiday we have. Turkey, stuffing, gravy, pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce are festive foods that the whole family enjoys this time of year. For those of us on a gluten-free diet, this can pose some serious issues for us. It’s one thing to be cooking for ourselves. It’s another thing entirely when you are going to be somebody’s guest – someone who may not be familiar with the intricacies of the gluten-free diet. In order to help you avoid any issues with your Thanksgiving, we’ve put together 5 essential tips and tricks to make sure your holiday feast […]

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Fiber is absolutely essential not only for bolstering everyday health, but also for avoiding health complications like heart disease, diabetes, and more. Even for individuals who have no dietary considerations, getting enough fiber every day is a struggle. This problem is exacerbated even more for all of us on a gluten-free diet, as many fiber-rich foods are wheat-based. But don’t fret! There are still countless ways for you to get the 20-38 grams of gluten-free fiber you need every day. In this post, we’ll tell you how to do just that. – Gluten-Free Fiber Supplements (We’ve Talked About These Before!)   Fiber supplements are perhaps the easiest and most effective way to get your fiber out […]

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If you follow a gluten-free diet religiously (which for most of you is an absolute must), you’ll know that new gluten-free snacks are a fun find. Luckily, they’ve become a lot easier to find, but for the gluten-free veteran, it still never fails to excite. And if you’re new to a gluten-free diet, you’re likely navigating your way through the discovery process and are lacking a strong list of snacks you can fall back on. Well, we’re here for you. Periodically, we just can’t help but talking up our newest and favorite gluten-free snacks. And today is another one of those times. So without further ado, here are 5 gluten-free snacks that we’ve recently fallen […]

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  It seems that whenever autumn rolls around, all recipes point straight to pumpkin. And there are certainly a lot of great gluten-free dishes that take full advantage. But, what other gems are there that people don’t talk about so much? I’m talking about the ones you don’t even make every fall, the ones that make family and friends say, “I wish I thought of that!” Well, I put on my thinking cap, made a few phones calls, and I came up with 3 recipes for the fall that are sure to knock your socks off… – Butter Nut Squash Mac and Cheese   Ingredients 1 cup gluten-free macaroni 3 ½ cups  butternut squash; large […]

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  Halloween can be a bit daunting for people trying to keep gluten-free. There are always a lot of things to consider, but with all the excitement and the individual “fun-sized” candy bars, it may be difficult to identify which foods are safe and which should be avoided. Let us assure you, being gluten-free doesn’t mean you have to skip out on all the fun of Halloween. By exercising a bit of caution, a wide selection of gluten-free candy is available to you. – Caution: Halloween Candy Can Be Deceiving   Although some candies can claim to be gluten-free, it is important for you to fully understand all the risks that are out there, and […]

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If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease, or discover you are healthier when following a gluten-free diet, you might start to feel better without gluten, but you may also feel a bit fatigued. Why? You may have a hard time identifying healthy gluten-free carbs that can give you bursts of energy or support recovery after rigorous exercise. This doesn’t mean you have to remain tired while eating only foods without gluten. It’s just a matter of identifying some healthy gluten-free foods to incorporate into your daily diet. Transitioning to a gluten-free diet filled with energy-rich foods will help you in many ways… – First, once you eliminate gluten from your diet, your intestine will […]

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Every day gluten-free makes more progress… in Boston I can now name several dedicated gluten-free bakeries, and when I travel – I recently took trips to San Francisco and Los Angeles – I always happen to stumble across something unexpected (or should I now say, expected). Gluten-free baked goods and other traditionally gluten-heavy foods are becoming more available. They’re not just available – you’re starting to see options. Now that’s real progress. But gluten-free cinnamon buns are one thing that remains elusive. They exist, yes, but you won’t find them easily. With their doughy and sticky texture, they are certainly hard to replace. Unfortunately, sometimes the things that are the toughest to find are the […]

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Summer is a great time of the year. You wait all year for it (especially if you live in a place like Boston where the winter is so tough!)… Everyone gets excited. There’s no doubt that eating gluten-free in the summer can be more challenging; that’s why we recently put together a list of ten tips to keep you happy and healthy during the summer. If you follow these tips, and plan ahead for what the open-ended summer days may bring, you’ll be perfectly fine. So, let’s get back to that excitement… To go along with the outdoorsy activities and excitement of the summer, let’s take a look at some nutritious ways to spice up […]

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According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, the sales of gluten free foods hit $2.6 billion in 2010. This means that millions of people are sticking with a gluten free diet. Even as the gluten-free diet has become so popular, the threat of gluten slipping its way into your food is still enormous. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration does not currently require food makers to clearly identify the use of gluten in their food products. If the manufacturer wants to print “Gluten-Free” on the label, they must not use any source of gluten, but if they are using gluten, there are no laws indicating that this must be clarified in […]

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Ask almost anyone who has transitioned from eating gluten to a gluten-free diet what they miss most, and it is likely that they’ll say it was hard to get rid of bread. Dig a bit deeper and you will often hear that bagels were the biggest challenge. This is because bagels have really become part of the everyday breakfast options. They are a food that kids love and something that adults can easily eat on their way to work or as they sit at their desks. They make perfect mini-pizzas, afternoon snacks, and ideal vehicles for any sort of sandwich filling. They are a true gluten-free bummer! The problem is that they are a very […]

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The summer months are just around the corner, and considering the healthy anxiety around gluten cross-contamination at restaurants and in your own kitchen, things step up to a whole new level. This is because summertime is a far more social time, and that means a lot of dining and snacking in unfamiliar locations. Barbecues and social gatherings where you’re trying to eat gluten-free can be difficult. During the summer, you need to be even more vigilant. Whether you are on a spur of the moment road trip or headed to a friend’s backyard BBQ, you don’t have to stress about your gluten-free needs when you follow our ten tips for a happy and healthy gluten-free […]

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If you’ve been following the gluten-free diet for a while (let’s say 10 years or more), you know your options have come a long way. This is especially the case with gluten-free specialty foods – foods that are widely available and not naturally gluten-free but their recipes are adjusted to be gluten-free. Pasta is a good example. A decade ago and prior, gluten-free pasta wasn’t readily available in grocery stores, there weren’t multiple options, and even when you did find it, it may have been borderline inedible. Luckily for you, there are now all types of gluten-free pasta out there – many of which are quite tasty and some of which are pretty healthy (three […]

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In 2010 the estimated market for gluten-free foods in the United States topped $2.6 billion. This shows that there is more than just a small demand for gluten-free food. The big question then arises, “What is the definition of gluten-free?” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration can’t seem to answer that question yet. While many are pushing for a definition accepted (and enforced) by the FDA, several private organizations have stepped in to offer their own gluten-free certifications. If you are on a gluten-free diet for medical reasons, you want to be absolutely certain that the foods are completely gluten-free too. Below we will discuss the three different organizations that certify foods as gluten-free and […]

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You’ve probably heard some of the buzz about ancient grains. If you haven’t, that’s because they’re fairly new on the scene. Isn’t that something? You see, ancient grains are those that have been used by human beings for many centuries, even more than such modern and familiar grains as wheat or barley. What is interesting about them is that they are coming more and more into the forefront due to increasing diagnoses of gluten intolerance and celiac disease, others eliminating or reducing gluten in their diets by choice, and the people looking for more nutritious alternatives for rice and pasta (gluten-free or not). So, what will gluten-free ancient grains do for you, and how can […]

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