Celiac Disease
| Celiac disease (CD) is also referred to as gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE), gluten intolerance, or celiac sprue. It is considered to be the most under-diagnosed common disease today, potentially affecting 1 in every 133 people in the USA. It is a chronic, inherited disease, and if untreated can ultimately lead to malnutrition. Gluten intolerance is the result of an immune-mediated response to the ingestion of gluten (from wheat, rye, and barley) that damages the small intestine. Nutrients then quickly passed through the small intestine, rather than being absorbed. To develop celiac disease (CD) three (3) things must be present: 1) you must inherit the gene, 2) consume gluten, and 3) have the gene triggered. Common triggers may include stress, trauma (surgeries, pregnancy, etc.), and viral infections. Approximately 1 in 20 first-degree relatives could have CD triggered in their lifetime. The disease is permanent and damage to the small intestine will occur every time you consume gluten, regardless if symptoms are present. (Above excerpt: Gluten Intolerance Group of North America) The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. Embracing this change in eating and lifestyle can be challenging but the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. See the section titled Cooking Gluten-Free and More for suggestions, hints, recipes and more! www.celiac.com Celiac Disease and Gluten-free Diet Support Center provides important resources and information for people on gluten-free diets www.celiac.org Celiac Disease Foundation www.csaceliacs.org Celiac Sprue Association/USA, Inc. www.celiacsprue.org Celiac Sprue Research Foundation www.gflinks.com Online listing of gluten-free websites and resources www.glutenfreedom.net/rock.aspx Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K) www.glutenfreeliving.com Gluten-Free Living is a national magazine for people with gluten sensitivity www.gluten.net Website for the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America www.glutenfreedom.net Danna Korn’s website, Gluten Freedom, providing more information on living gluten-free www.livingwithout.com Living Without is a quarterly magazine for people with allergies especially gluten and dairy. There are recipes, resources and helpful articles. www.napervillegi.com Naperville (IL) Gastroenterology & Dr. Stephen Holland’s website. Scroll down to “celiac disease” and follow links to GF restaurant list, GF foods lists, GF over-the-counter and prescription drug lists and more www.niddk.nih.gov National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) |
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Welcome to Special Eats. I’m Sueson Vess and healthy gluten free/allergen-free living is my passion. Being diagnosed with celiac disease, multiple foods intolerances and even ovarian cancer changed my life for the better. As chef and lifelong foodie, I love great tasting food; as the mother of 4 boys I spent a lot of time cooking meals my family would enjoy. But was the food healthy? I was unaware of beneficial and harmful foods – how to pack the most nutrition into every bite of food and still have it taste good.
In 2001 everything changed. Saying good-bye to gluten, dairy and sugar was a challenge however the renewed energy and restored health motivated me to learn more and help others on a similar journey.
“Foods with Benefits” Everything we eat has the power to build-up or tear-down our health. Join me in the kitchen as I guide you to better health by eating foods with benefits, staying away from empty calories learn how to cook with LOVE and PASSION.
I use my skills and experiences to write delicious, healthy recipes free of allergens including gluten, dairy, soy and more. Look for my articles in “Living Without” and "The Autism File” magazines and my cookbook, “Special Eats: Simple Delicious Solutions for Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cooking”.
I welcome any questions or comment at 
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