Celiac Around the World-Poland

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 parenting a child with celiac disease. Constant vigilance can be overwhelming, from ensuring safe meals at home and school to handling social situations and travel. In this post, she shares her journey and the challenges and rewards of raising a child with celiac disease.

Life with Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance

How did your life journey with celiac disease begin?

"It was October 2010. My three-year-old daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease back then, after more than 2.5 years of relentless searching. She didn’t have typical symptoms, no one in the family had been diagnosed with celiac disease, and there wasn’t much awareness of the condition at the time, which is why it took so long. Since she was 6 months old, she had constant digestive issues, but doctors insisted it was a cow’s milk protein allergy. Of course, we excluded cow's milk from her diet and many other products. However, her condition didn’t improve. We visited many allergists and gastroenterologists, and kept looking for answers, but no one could make the right diagnosis. Even at the hospital, they failed to recognize her condition.

My daughter was tall, her weight was within the normal range, she didn’t have the characteristic bloated belly of celiac disease, nor did she have anemia. However, as she grew older, she became increasingly weaker. When she fell asleep, her body temperature dropped to about 34 degrees Celsius (around 92 degrees Fahrenheit). She became very fearful, and her immune system was as weak as that of a newborn. Fortunately, we eventually found a doctor who identified the cause of her problems and diagnosed her with celiac disease."

When did you find out that you had a gluten intolerance? How did you find out?

"Shortly after my daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease, it turned out that I also had a gluten intolerance. I was 30 years old at the time. For over 10 years, I had struggled with severe migraines, and sometimes with stomach pain and bloating as well, but it never occurred to me that gluten could be the cause. The doctors didn’t suspect intestinal issues either – they attributed my symptoms to stress, endometriosis, or other factors. While still on a gluten-containing diet, both my husband and I took blood antibody tests for celiac disease, but the results came back negative.

When my daughter switched to a strict gluten-free diet, I reorganized the kitchen. I got rid of gluten-containing products like flours, spices, and pasta. Naturally, I started eating significantly less gluten myself. After some time, I noticed that I was feeling better – my migraines became less frequent, and my digestive issues clearly improved.

There were occasions, such as during holiday visits with family, when I ate something containing gluten. Always, the next day, I experienced sharp stomach pain and a terrible migraine. After a few such incidents, I became convinced that a gluten-free diet was the only way forward.

I also underwent genetic testing, which confirmed that I carry the celiac gene.

In 2012, I made the final decision to adopt a strict gluten-free diet, and I’ve been following it consistently ever since. In the meantime, I went through several traumatic events, including the loss of both my parents, one day after the other, during the pandemic. At that time, my body physically broke down and weakened significantly due to stress. I suspect that this might have been a trigger for activating the disease. I can’t confirm this, but I feel great on the gluten-free diet, even though strictly following it can be a challenge."

What do you find to be the hardest part of living with Celiac disease?

"I think the hardest part of living with celiac disease is that many people don't understand the condition. They don't take seriously the fact that someone with celiac disease truly has to follow a gluten-free diet - and a very strict one at that. They think it's just some kind of allergy and that people with celiac disease are overreacting. They treat it dismissively and don't realize how much harm they can cause by offering something labeled as gluten-free that is actually contaminated with gluten, or how deeply they can hurt someone by dismissing it as a whim or exaggeration. Yes, I think that the lack of understanding and dismissive attitude are the worst parts."

Are there any positives that you feel came from your diagnosis?

"Yes, of course. First of all, celiac disease has made the food choices in my home much healthier. I have to pay close attention to what I cook and the ingredients I use. I have largely given up processed foods, focusing instead on wholesome, natural ingredients. As a result, I’ve learned how to balance a diet, which has positively impacted our everyday eating habits.

Moreover, my health and quality of life have also improved. I have more energy, the terrible migraines have disappeared, and so have the gastrointestinal issues.

And my daughter, thanks to her disease being diagnosed early in childhood, is able to grow up healthy and develop properly. She is now a truly strong girl. She rarely gets sick and takes a very responsible approach to her diet. I’m proud of her."

Do you know anyone else with celiac disease?

"Yes, I know quite a few people with celiac disease. From the very beginning of our journey with this condition, we’ve been part of the Polish Association of People with Celiac Disease and on a Gluten-Free Diet. Thanks to this, I had the opportunity to meet both adults and children with celiac disease. At first, it was the only way to connect with others facing the same condition. Over time, I’ve also met many wonderful people with celiac disease outside the Association – some during my travels, and others at various gluten-free events, such as gluten-free fairs.

Recently, I also created an Instagram account @glutenfree_traveler_com and launched my own website glutenfree-traveler.com. Thanks to this I've been connecting with a broader gluten-free community from various countries. So far, it’s only been virtual, but I hope I’ll get the chance to meet some of them in person someday."

Eating out in Poland

How knowledgeable is the food industry regarding celiac disease?

"I believe that the food industry in Poland is currently at a very good level. We have several strictly gluten-free companies that are specifically dedicated to people with celiac disease. There are also certified, safe bakeries – for now, all of them are located in large cities, but many offer courier delivery of their products. Gluten-free products are well-labeled, which makes shopping much easier. The situation has improved significantly in recent years. A dozen or so years ago, or even just a few years back, it was much more challenging.

Many large companies that produce mass-market items, such as sweets, cold cuts, or dairy products, have launched special production lines that meet strict sanitary standards to ensure their products are safe for people with celiac disease."

Are the menus clearly marked for allergens and gluten-free food? Can you find food that you can eat safely?

"Unfortunately, no. In some larger cities, there are places where you can eat safely, but there are still far too few of them. In smaller towns or villages, you're unlikely to find anything safe. In Poland, we have a program run by our Celiac Associations called "Menu without Gluten." It includes bars, restaurants, hotels, bakeries, cafes, and other establishments that meet gluten-free standards and undergo audits. However, there are still not enough such places.

There are also places that offer gluten-free meal options but are not part of any certification program. For example, the owner might have celiac disease themselves and fully understand the importance of safety. Such places are also a good choice."

What is the easiest/hardest part of eating out?

"The easiest situation is when you go to a place that offers exclusively gluten-free food or send your child to a camp that you know is 100% gluten-free, with only people who have celiac disease. My daughter went on such a summer camp last year, and it was truly amazing. For the first time, neither she nor I felt any anxiety or concern about it.

The most challenging thing about eating out is that you usually have to bring your own gluten-free food. This applies to all family celebrations, gatherings with friends, company of school parties, school trips, and many other occasions."

How common are celiac/gluten-free dietary restrictions in Poland?

"Celiac disease and gluten-free dietary restrictions are becoming increasingly recognized in Poland. Approximately 1% of the population in my country has this disease. However, many cases remain undiagnosed due to the lack of symptoms or diagnosis of the condition. I also know people who have celiac disease but do not follow the diet due to its high costs.

Beyond celiac disease, some people in Poland choose gluten-free diets due to non-celiac gluten sensitivity, wheat allergies or Hashimoto's thyroiditis."

Can you share pictures of your favorite dishes and/or restaurants?

"My favorite restaurant in my city, Wroclaw, is Vivere Italiano and Restauracja Czerwona Koza. My favorite dishes are red borscht with pastry, cold beet soup with egg, and cheesecake. "

Red Borscht-Photo Credit @glutenfree_traveler_com

Cold Beet Soup with egg Photo Credit: @glutenfree_traveler_com

"Here are some traditional Polish dishes: pierogi (dumplings), golabki (cabbage rolls with rice and meat), zapiekanki with mushrooms and cheese (Polish-style baguettes), oscypek cheese with cranberry sauce, and red borscht with croquette or pastry."

Images of traditional Polish dishes.

Buying Gluten-Free Food

Is it easy for you to find gluten-free options at the grocery store?

"Nowadays, gluten-free products are easily available in many stores-f.e.x., Rossmann, Żabka, Carrefour, Auchan, Biedronka, Lidl, Netto."

Are foods clearly marked gluten-free?

"Yes, they are."

What would you say is your biggest struggle eating gluten-free in Poland?

"Eating out. It's still a challenge to find places that fully guarantee no cross-contamination, especially in smaller towns and villages. I think the awareness of celiac disease is still too low, even among medical staff. It's sad that during a hospital stay, you have to bring your own gluten-free food because the hospital is unable to provide appropriate meals, even though they are aware of your celiac disease. Almost always, children with celiac disease have to bring their own gluten-free food from home when they are in kindergarten or school."

Is eating gluten-free more expensive in Poland?

"Yes, it is."

Does the government help with the expense of gluten-free food?

"No, no help at all."

Medication

Do you have to worry about gluten in your over-the-counter or prescribed medication?

"Yes, I always check if a given medication is safe."

Travel in Poland

If someone were coming to Poland for the first time, what do you believe are the "must-see" sites?

"I definitely encourage you to visit the city I live in - Wroclaw, as well as Gdańsk. Both cities have medieval roots, an incredible atmosphere, and a rich history. You'll find many examples of Gothic architecture, beautiful, colorful townhouses, and friendly locals. It's also worth mentioning that Wroclaw is home to dwarfs...:) Currently, there are over 600 of them! Moreover, in both of these cities, people with celiac disease can safely enjoy gluten-free meals, making Wroclaw and Gdańsk even more welcoming for visitors."

Dora, thank you for sharing your story! I also have a child with celiac disease. From the moment we introduced cereal into her diet, she was unwell. Like your daughter, she didn’t have the classic bloated belly and did continue to grow, but she cried constantly, and as she got older, she complained of persistent stomach pain.

For those of us who must maintain a strict gluten-free diet for medical reasons, the challenges can feel overwhelming at times. That’s why it’s so important to raise awareness and support one another. Dora has taken her experience and turned it into a resource for others by creating her website to educate people about the struggles and necessity of a gluten-free lifestyle. Be sure to check out her website and follow along on her journey!