8 Reasons Why You Should Love Someone with Celiac Disease

I first wrote this post for my Gluten-Free Fun blog way back in 2014. While it isn’t travel related, I felt like today was a perfect day to post an updated version of why you should love someone with celiac disease.

Valentine’s Day is today so I thought it would be a great time to reflect on all of the wonderful reasons you should love a person with Celiac Disease today and always.

8 Reasons Why You Should Love Someone with Celiac Disease

1. We are rare! 
Only 1% of Americans have diagnosed Celiac Disease. We are less than one in a million and are a great catch if you can snag one of us!

2. We are unique! 
Celiac Disease has more than 200 known symptoms. The disease manifests itself differently in each and every one of us. As I always say, “My celiac disease isn’t your celiac disease.” No two people with celiac are the same, so we are truly one of a kind.

3. We are persistent! 
On average, it takes 6-10 years to get a Celiac diagnosis. We do not accept doctors with no answers or vague diagnoses or gaslighting us about our health. We keep on looking for an answer and don’t give up until we get one.

4. We know the best restaurants in town! 
Ask a Celiac where to eat and they can probably rattle off a list of safe, gluten-free restaurants within a 50 mile radius. Plus, we probably have at least two apps on our phone so we can easily look for gluten-free menus. Food is our “cure” for celiac disease and we take it very seriously.

5. We don’t discriminate. 
We share our celiac disease across humans of all ages, races, genders, shapes and sizes. Celiac is an autoimmune condition that can affect anyone. The diversity of the celiac community has grown tremendously over the 40 years I have been living with my diagnosis. While we still have a long way to go, the increase in research across ethnic groups along with an increase in diagnoses are promising.

6. We are social!
Log on to TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, or Facebook and you will find thousands of people with celiac disease. We probably started our accounts to share our personal celiac journey, trials, and tears with others and feel a little bit less lonely in this gluten-filled world.

When I started my first website in 2007, this wasn’t the case. We were only a handful of gluten-free bloggers and we pretty much knew everyone in the community. Things have definitely come a very long way over the past 17 years!

7. We are global!
Celiac Disease knows no borders. There are people living with celiac disease in every corner of the world. I’ve been so lucky to connect with so many people both near and far. A Gluten-free dumpling meetup in Singapore, a gluten-free dinner in Paris, countless gluten-free bagel dates here in New York City. No matter where we are in the world or what languages we speak, we are connected by this disease and can relate to each other.

8. We are loyal!
When we find a gluten-free brand or restaurant that tastes feeds us safely, we tend to be repeat customers. We are excited to tell others about our gluten-free discoveries and will continue eat this food and be loyal to the brand. Our loyalty runs deep.

What would you add to this list? Am I missing anything? Leave a comment below!