How the Find Me Gluten-Free App has made eating out much more manageable as someone with celiac disease.

Skyline of Rome Have you ever dreamed of going to Rome? Fresh pasta, wood-fired pizza, crusty bread, all the foods we love… and all traditionally filled with gluten. But here’s the good news: Italy does gluten-free incredibly well. In fact, it’s one of the easiest and most delicious places in the world to travel gluten-free. From dedicated kitchens to thoughtfully crafted pasta and pastries, you don’t have to miss a single iconic bite. When in Rome, treat yourself to a gluten

Kyle Dine - Founder & CEO of Equal Eats Photo Credit: @equal_eats I recently had the opportunity to interview Kyle Dine, the founder of Equal Eats. Kyle grew up managing multiple food allergies, and while food allergies and celiac disease are very different, the stress and planning required to travel safely are similar. Traveling with food restrictions often means hours of research, careful preparation, and constant communication. This is exactly where Equal Eats comes in. K

Aran Goyoaga is a fourth-generation baker from Spain. Learn more about how she has changed gluten-free baking as someone with a baking background and gluten intolerance.

Living gluten-free can look very different around the world, depending on awareness, resources, and cultural attitudes toward food. In this edition of Celiac Around the World, we travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to learn what life is like for families navigating celiac disease there. I had the opportunity to interview Priyamvada, a parent whose child was diagnosed with celiac disease, and learn about their journey, from finding safe gluten-free foods to advocating for

When I interviewed Marja in Finland, her story echoed what so many people with celiac disease experience around the world. The pattern is familiar: everyday meals leading to persistent stomach aches, symptoms that don’t seem serious at first, and years of uncertainty before finally seeking medical advice. Like countless others, Marja went through blood tests and a biopsy before receiving her diagnosis. Her journey is a reminder that while celiac stories are deeply personal, t

In this edition of my Celiac Around the World series, I’m excited to introduce Greta from Italy. Diagnosed with celiac disease at 17, Greta shares what it’s like to navigate daily life gluten-free in a country known for its love of pasta, pizza, and fresh bread. Beyond the challenges of food choices and cross-contact, Greta talks about how celiac disease has helped her recognize true friendship. Real friends are the ones who let you choose the restaurant, make sacrifices with

What happens when a doctor becomes the patient? For Dr. Ana Pimenta in Portugal, being diagnosed with celiac disease, along with her mother and young son, deeply transformed not only her personal life but also the way she approaches patient care. In this inspiring interview, Dr. Pimenta shares how her experience living with celiac disease has led her to become an advocate for education, awareness, and community support. From creating helpful resources to connecting with other

Living gluten-free can be a challenge no matter where you are. Today, we’re taking a closer look at what it's like in Poland. Dora, from Wrocław, knows this experience well. With a daughter who has celiac disease and her own non-celiac gluten sensitivity, Dora has learned—through research, trial, and everyday life—how to successfully navigate a gluten-free lifestyle for both herself and her family. Beyond managing her own dietary needs, Dora faces the added stress of parentin

Navigating life with food intolerances can be challenging, but for Sanja, it has become an opportunity to inspire and educate others. She has faced the difficulties of non-celiac gluten sensitivity along with several other food intolerances—struggling, like many, to get a proper diagnosis. But instead of letting these challenges define her, Sanja embraced them. Now, she shares her passion for delicious, intolerance-friendly meals on Instagram and Facebook, proving that restri

Pictured above from left to right are: Iguazu Falls, Perito Moreno Glacier, and Tango Dancing in Argentina I'm excited to introduce Deby from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is passionate about gluten-free, vegetarian, and healthy cooking. She can be found on Instagram @lachicaglutenfreedebuenosaires. In this interview, we will learn more about living in Argentina with celiac disease. Deby from Argentina Photo Credit: @lachicaglutenfreedebuenosaires Life with Celiac Disease

Jessie was 35 when she was diagnosed with celiac disease. She discovered there was a problem when she met a friend for dinner and had a sandwich. "I was sick for two days and couldn’t go to work." She began eating gluten-free and says it worked immediately. No longer did she have pain or "inner stress." She was a bit sad that she did not know what had been wrong for the past 35 years but she said, "Finally, I was able to understand so many things in my life." What do yo

Image of the Netherlands with a windmill and red tulips I recently interviewed Kim from the Netherlands. I love to travel and I'm always excited to learn what it is like to live with Celiac disease in other countries. Kim was just 9 years old when she learned she had celiac disease. "Before then (the diagnosis) I had horrible stomach aches and I was always tired. After many trips to the doctor, they diagnosed me with celiac." Kim van der Meer feeding a baby lamb at her fr

Image of the Cathedral of Cologne I was excited to be able to interview Claudia from Germany. Claudia was 52 years old when she found out she had celiac disease. She has had stomach pain since she was 18 years old. Her mother passed away from stomach cancer a few years ago, prompting Claudia to investigate her symptoms. Since she has stopped eating gluten, casein, and lactose she no longer has stomach issues. Claudia has two daughters and a sister that also has celiac di

View of Portugal Photo Credit: @celiaccoach_byabir I recently interviewed Abir who is from Lebanon and is currently living in Portugal. She shares her experiences living with celiac disease in Portugal. Abir was only eight years old when she was diagnosed with celiac disease. She says "I can't forget the day and all the mixed feelings I passed through!" She had several symptoms of celiac as a child such as "stunted growth, eye-vision shortage, joint pain, headache, const

Picture of Yara and pictures of Lebanon I recently interviewed Yara. She is currently living in Saudi Arabia but she is from Lebanon. She graciously agreed to let me interview her about both countries. This gave me a unique look at two different countries from her perspective. The interview about her celiac diagnosis and her life in Saudia Arabia can be found HERE. Eating out in Lebanon How knowledgeable is the food industry in Lebanon regarding Celiac? "Although Celia

Images from Saudi Arabia How old were you when you were diagnosed with Celiac? How did you find out you had Celiac? Yara was diagnosed with celiac in 1995, she was about a year old at the time. She began having problems when she started solid food. "I had growth and weight issues, I wasn’t growing at a normal rate. In addition, I was suffering from severe diarrhea and vomiting. After spending many days in the hospital, changing many doctors to get the right diagnosis, my

Image of Sarah and New Zealand Come with me as I fly halfway across the globe to New Zealand. In my quest to see what it is like to live around the world with celiac disease, I interviewed Sarah Albom from New Zealand. I found Sarah through an article I read on Coeliac New Zealand. She also made a documentary “Don’t Pass the Bread” about celiac disease for Coeliac New Zealand. It was very well done, and as I watch it, I once again realize that no matter where we live we a

Best Places to Visit Now that we know a bit about what it's like to live in Egypt with celiac disease. I wanted to learn more about the must-see locations in Egypt. There are many spots Norhan loves. Here are her top suggestions: "Anywhere along the River Nile is comforting and soothing. Whether dining/kayaking, or taking a boat ride at sunset time is magical and highly recommended." The North Coast-Norhan explains, "The sea is incredibly beautiful." She says the bes

How did you find out you had celiac? I recently interviewed Norhan, from Egypt. She was diagnosed with celiac disease two years ago at the age of 28. She was diagnosed after being very sick for two weeks. She had constant diarrhea and could not leave the house to go to the doctor. The doctor had to come to her home. She explains, "I was put on Oral Rehydration therapy for a week. And none of the treatments the doctors gave me at first worked on stopping diarrhea. Then

Image of a map with a U.S. passport and camera Traveling the world with a wheat gluten allergy I recently had the opportunity to interview Marisa. She is from the United States but travels all around the world for her career. Marisa was diagnosed 25 years ago with a severe allergy to wheat gluten. She carries an EPI-Pen with her in case she is exposed. Not only does Marisa have to worry about ingesting wheat gluten, but also being exposed to it topically. She needs to

Interview with The Celiac from Italy-Part 4 Celiac in the U.S. compared to Italy-is there a difference? Having lived in both the U.S. & Italy what do you find to be the biggest difference/s between the two countries? "The biggest difference is the fad diet culture I mentioned earlier. I really have yet to meet an Italian who eats gluten-free by choice. It is predominantly seen as a medical treatment and therefore regarded with the level of severity necessary. It makes it so

Interview with The Celiac in Italy-Part 3 How difficult is it to find food in Italy gluten-free? Is it easy for you to find gluten-free options at the grocery store? What is gluten-free called in Italy? "Yes, it’s pretty easy. Most grocery stores have a shelf specifically for all the gluten-free products so it’s very easy to find. You can also find some basic gluten-free products in most pharmacies because it’s considered a medical necessity for celiacs to have access to sa

Images of Italy Interview with The Celiac in Italy-Part 2 What is it like to have Celiac in Italy? How knowledgeable is the food industry in Italy in regard to Celiac/needing to eat gluten-free? "Italy is arguably the best country for celiacs. Restaurants are typically very knowledgeable about celiac disease and will communicate whether or not they can accommodate a medically necessary gluten-free diet. The key here is that the gluten-free diet never really became “trendy”