The CeliAct Blog

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but sometimes it can be harder for us to indulge when reading multiple ingredient lists and being careful to avoid cross-contamination at holiday parties. We thought it would be nice to spread some holiday cheer by letting you in on our best kept secrets – the gluten-free holiday products we are incapable of living without! These tasty treats are great for late night indulgences, for bringing along to holiday parties, kid-friendly and of course, incredibly tasty. 1. Glutino Peppermint Yogurt Covered Pretzels I wait all year long for these and then stock up! While Glutino always offers yogurt covered pretzels, these peppermint delights are only available during the […]

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New research is suggesting that children who eat more foods with gluten before the age of two have a greater risk of developing celiac disease if they are genetically predisposed to the condition. This study provides some insight into why some children who are genetically predisposed to celiac develop the disease while others do not.   Gluten Exposure At A Young Age This study provides convincing evidence that the amount of gluten ingested at an early age plays a role in the development of celiac disease later in life. For the study, researchers in Sweden matched 146 children with celiac disease to 436 children who didn’t have the disease. Each group shared the same gender, age, […]

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With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time to get your menus and recipes in order! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and while it can be a bit of a challenge to recreate the meals that I remember from my childhood, over the years I’ve tried out various recipes and come to some delicious conclusions. One of the most difficult challenges was figuring out how to create the perfect stuffing. After lots of time in the kitchen, some mishaps and disappointments, I’ve gathered my three favorite gluten-free stuffing recipes for you. They are each unique and I’ll let you in on a secret – we make two! Hopefully we can help you make this gluten-free […]

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One of the most frustrating and challenging parts of treating celiac disease is how much of a trickster gluten can be. Gluten hides, and hides well. Not only does gluten show up in foods that we least expect it to, it disguises itself under different names, and also shows up in things like beauty products, cleaners, and yes, medicine. Unfortunately, current FDA standards for medication do not include specific mention of gluten or wheat products. So what are we supposed to do?   Where is Gluten Hiding in my Medicine? Both prescription and non-prescription oral medication in the form of capsules and tablets are a potential source of gluten contamination. In addition to active ingredients which […]

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Every year the arrival of Fall brings with it what I love best about the season: Football. And whether you are partial to college or pro, one of the most fun parts of going to football games is tailgating. Something else we can all agree on? Tailgating is not the most gluten-free activity out there. But have no fear! We’ve gathered some of our favorite healthy, gluten-free snack ideas that you can bring with you to tailgates, as well as some tips and tricks to help you out. Don’t worry, we didn’t forget beer!   1. Nuts Nuts are the perfect option for a tasty tailgating snack. Not only do they pack a powerful punch of […]

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Nima is coming, and it’s going to allow you to test your food for gluten in 2 minutes or less. This small, portable sensor will be available for pre-order later this month.   What is Nima? Nima is a small, portable device that allows you to quickly test your food for gluten. Nima is the first product created by San Francisco-based 6SensorLabs. Shirleen Yates and Scott Sundvor, both MIT alums, created the company out of their shared experiences with food allergies and sensitivities. Nima is unique because of how quickly it works. There are gluten testers on the market today, but they take upwards of 15-20 minutes to work. Nima takes 2 minutes or less, […]

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General Mills issued a statement Monday that they are recalling 1.8 million boxes of Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios that have potentially been contaminated with wheat. The company said in Monday’s press release that issues at its Lodi, California processing plant have caused the contamination, which affects thirteen days-worth of production. Company spokesperson Kirstie Foster said that “there have been reports of illness by consumers online,” and that “two complaints of illness have been reported directly to General Mills.” General Mills only recently began labeling its oat-based cereals gluten-free in an effort to boost sales, which have been steadily dropping since 2008. On the company blog, Jim Murphy, president of General Mills, said he was […]

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I don’t know about you, but when the morning weather starts to cool down, I have to have something hot to start my day. Cold cereal just doesn’t cut it anymore. Today was the first morning that the cool air made it difficult to get out of bed! I couldn’t wait to make a warm bowl of gluten-free oatmeal and top it off with some berries and a sprinkle of brown sugar. Here are some of the gluten-free hot cereals we love the most, and will guarantee to warm you up on these chilly Fall mornings. A warm bowl of gluten-free cereal is the best way to start your day before bearing the chilly weather […]

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A recent U.K. study has pointed out that individuals with celiac disease have an increased risk of contracting pneumonia, particularly in the first year after their diagnosis with celiac. Individuals with celiac disease need to be extra vigilant about vaccinating against pneumonia, and with winter coming it’s time to come up with a plan for getting you and your family vaccinated. Read on for more information on what makes celiac patients more vulnerable and what can be done to combat this issue.   What is Pneumonia? Pneumonia is an inflammatory lung condition usually caused by infection due to viruses or bacteria. It affects approximately 450 million people globally every year, and results in about 4 […]

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Usually as we near the end of September, I’m blogging about yummy Fall soups and stews, pot pies and warm, baked breads. Can you believe this heat? I couldn’t bring myself to share a steaming hot recipe with you without breaking a sweat just thinking about it. Not only did I want to share something cool and refreshing, I wanted it to include tomatoes. Have you seen the tomatoes lately?! They are so fresh, so colorful and so tasty. My father’s gazpacho recipe has been a family staple for decades, and it’s the perfect pair to freshly baked gluten-free croutons. They give it that crispy, chewy crunch that is a delicious addition to any cold […]

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You may have noticed that the gluten-free food movement has trickled down to pet food. High-end, artisanal brands and household name brands alike are offering up gluten-free versions of dog chow. Grain-free pet food sales have soared to cover 10% of the pet food industry’s market. But is this trend actually healthier for our dogs? Can dogs be allergic to gluten? And what about us, if we can’t eat gluten, can we be affected by what our dogs eat? Before making any drastic changes to your pet’s diet (and to your bank account), some research is required. Here we’ll provide you with some of the important facts and answer your questions about gluten-free diets for […]

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Getting “glutened,” or accidental gluten ingestion, is unfortunately familiar to all of us. The minute that you realize your mistake, either mid-bite or hours later, you more than likely experience a heavy dose of regret, a million “what ifs” in your head, and some pretty damn awful stomach pains. And even if you don’t notice, it can still affect your system, and the buildup of these kinds of accidental ingestions can do some pretty serious damage. What if there was a pill that could make those symptoms and their effects on your system disappear? That is exactly what Alvine Pharmaceuticals and Alba Therapeutics are hoping to accomplish. While these drugs are similar in their goals, they […]

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“Crazy About” is our series featuring gluten-free products, brands and startups that we just can’t keep to ourselves. This feature focuses on Rush Bowls, who are new on the scene and demand some attention. Ever since I found out about them they have become my new favorite gluten-free product to rave about. Anyone and everyone should know about them, because they are simple, healthy solutions to on-the-go gluten-free eating, and boy do we need more of those! Read on to hear more about my new favorite product! What is a Rush Bowl? Rush Bowls are individually packaged cups of blended fruit and Udi’s gluten-free granola. They are also additive, preservative, artificial sweetener and GMO-free. They […]

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I definitely missed ramen noodles after I was diagnosed with celiac. I would find myself longing for the ease and comfort of instant noodles whenever I was sick, on chilly nights, or when I would have a bout of nostalgia for my broke college days. Well, the gluten-free market has filled the void, and answered our prayers. We’ve reviewed for you the different brands making gluten-free ramen and we’ve got the scoop on which are tastiest. We’ll also provide you with a quick, tasty recipe for you to make your own version of ramen noodles!   1. Lotus Foods Lotus Foods offers ramen noodles in those little packets we know and love. It is prepared […]

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With careful attention to diet, women with celiac can conceive and deliver happy, healthy babies. But how does celiac affect breastfeeding? Can gluten be passed through breastmilk? If you don’t have celiac but you don’t want your baby to develop it, should you not eat gluten while you breastfeed? And what about formula feeding? We’ve prepared a handy guide with all the facts you need to know, including common misconceptions and recent research findings. A common misconception about celiac disease is that it only affects the gastrointestinal system. The reality is that celiac is an autoimmune disease, making it a multi-system and multi-symptom disease, affecting many other areas of the body. As a mother with […]

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