Celiac Disease

Here are some facts you may not have know about Celiac disease.

1. CELIAC DISEASE IS NOT AN ALLERGY

Celiac is an autoimmune disorder. Once a person has it, they will have it for the rest of their lives.

2. VERY COMMON

Celiac disease is one of the most common autoimmune disorders today.

3. HEREDITARY

Celiac is heredity meaning it is passed down through generations. If one of your parents or a family member has it, you are more likely to get it.

4. GLUTEN IS EVERYWHERE

Gluten is not just for food, it is also in vitamins, makeup, toothpaste, and adhesives.

5. NO CURE

There is no cure for Celiac disease, the only treatment is a gluten-free diet for the rest of your life.

6. DERMATITIS HERPETIFORMIS

20% to 25% of people with Celiac will get this rash. It is very itchy and painful.

7. CHILDREN

Celiac affects children. About every 1 in 100 children are diagnosed with the disease.

8. DAMAGE TO SMALL INTESTINES

If a person diagnosed with Celiac disease continues to eat gluten, they risk permanently damaging their small intestines.

9. SYMPTOMS SHOW UP AT ANYTIME

There is really no onset stage of Celiac symptoms. They can show up anytime, from childhood into adulthood.

10. SYMPTOMS

Commons symptoms of Celiac disease include fatigue, joint pain, headache, rash, and stomach pain. Sometimes there are no symptoms.

11. BLOOD TEST

A blood test can tell for certain if you have Celiac disease. If a family member has it, you should probably get tested for it.

12. UNDIAGNOSED OR MISDIAGNOSED

It is estimated that 90% of those with Celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

13. TESTING

If you test negative for Celiac disease but show signs of it later on, get tested again. You can have a false negative test.

14. CAUSE

The actual cause of Celiac disease is not known. Scientists are still researching it.

15. CAN’T OUTGROW

If your child is diagnosed with Celiac disease, they will have it forever. It can’t be outgrown.

16. NUTRIENTS

People with Celiac disease may not be absorbing nutrition properly because of damage to their intestines.
- Dailynews.us

Chickpea Burgers

For the Chickpea Burger

¹⁄₃ cup olive oil, separated

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 small stalk celery, finely chopped

1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 (15-oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 cup cooked brown rice

8 cloves garlic, roasted and peeled

¹⁄₄ cup sesame tahini

2 tsp. lemon zest

¹⁄₄ cup finely chopped parsley

1 egg

For Serving

2 oz. sprouts

1 small cucumber, thinly sliced

2 Roma tomatoes, cored and sliced ¹⁄₂" thick

3 oz. feta, crumbled

3 pocket pitas cut in half crosswise, or 6 hamburger buns, split and toasted

Instructions

Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil in a 12" skillet over medium high heat. Add onions, celery and thyme and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and reserve. Wipe skillet clean.

Place chickpeas and rice in a food processor, along with garlic, tahini, and zest. Pulse until chickpeas and rice are chopped, but not yet a paste, about 8 pulses or about 10 seconds. Transfer mixture to the bowl with the onions. Add parsley and egg, season with salt and pepper, and mix well to combine. Divide mixture into six 4 oz. patties, about 3" wide x ¹⁄₂" thick. Place on a plate and refrigerate for 20 minutes or until ready to use.

Heat 2 tbsp. oil in skillet over medium high heat and cook burgers in batches of 3, flipping once halfway through until toasted on each side and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining oil and burgers.

Divide burgers, sprouts, sliced cucumber, tomato and feta between pita pocket halves or buns and serve.

- GIG of Portland

What is Gluten and Where is it Found?

Gluten is the elastic protein in wheat, rye and barley. It is used as a
thickening agent in some sauces, soups, stews, salad dressings, and
other products. Most breads and baked goods rely on gluten for
elasticity.
Some people avoid gluten because of an allergy to wheat, which
causes typical symptoms associated with allergic reaction. Others
are gluten intolerant, experiencing conditions such as joint/muscle pain,
fatigue, and headaches. The most serious gluten condition is Celiac
disease, which attacks the immune system. If left untreated, intestinal
damage can lead to other serious nutritional and immune disorders.
- Boars Head Products
- Helpful Resources:
Celiac Disease Foundation - www.celiac.org
Celiac Support Foundation - www.csaceliacs.org
Gluten Intolerance Group - www.gluten.net
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness - www.celiaccentral.org