Wheat, rye, barley and oats. Doing without these grains may seem simple at first, but once you realize how much they are used in everyday foods, it can be overwhelming. People with Celiac Disease have an auto-immune reaction to gluten, a protein in these grains.  Going without them can make the simple tasks of going grocery shopping or ordering a meal at a restaurant seem difficult, but the good news is you are not alone. Gluten sensitivities affect 1 in 133 people in the United States and Celiac Disease is one of the most common genetic disorder in the country.  Celiac awareness and new labeling laws have made living with Celiac Disease much easier and access to gluten-free food continues to grow throughout Lancaster County and Central Pennsylvania.

Lancaster Area Celiacs meets several times a year to discuss and learn more about Celiac Disease.  We discuss restaurants, share recipes, purchase products from gluten-free vendors, try their free samples, and listen to speakers discussing relevant topics on everything from Celiac research to how to bake with gluten-free flours.

While we look forward to medical advances in Celiac Disease, increased awareness has made living gluten-free easier than ever.  Together we can continue to educate ourselves and the community around us to strive for even greater awareness in the future.