GIG’s 5 Key Takeaways from the American College of Gastroenterology’s Updated Medical Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Celiac Disease

In January 2023, the American College of Gastroenterology updated its guidelines so that medical professionals have the most up-to-date information on diagnosing and managing celiac disease in their patients. While these guidelines are for doctors, we’ve highlighted our five key takeaways that you may find valuable.    #1 Blood test plus biopsies remain the gold Read More

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Grow Your Own Vegetables – for Better Flavor, Health, and Money Saving Too

Spring is on the horizon, so if you haven’t already, now is the time to make your plans for this year’s vegetable garden. Even with just a small amount of space outdoors, you can grow a surprisingly large amount of tasty garden goods. Planting a few containers on your porch can work great too. There Read More

Kitchen Smarts: How to Use Fresh Herbs

Using herbs is a delicious and easy way to change your gluten-free cooking for the better! Not only are they a wonderful way to add flavor and aroma without adding extra salt, fat, or sugar to a dish, but they also contain antioxidants and phytonutrients that support health. Although they may seem intimidating at first Read More

Research: ADHD-like symptoms in celiac disease, and relationship between Covid infection and autoimmune disease development

ADHD-Traits in Childhood Celiac Disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36635891/ Research published in the Journal of Attention Disorders compared 85 children with biopsy-proven celiac disease to a control group, with a focus on cognitive and behavioral traits. The aim was to investigate an association of these traits with vitamin levels, body-mass index, and compliance with the gluten-free diet. It Read More

Virtual Event: Insights & Information to Inspire Your Gluten-Free Life

So many aspects of life are affected and need to be considered as you’re aiming to optimize health and happiness when living gluten-free. One good way to view these considerations is to think of fitting them into three main categories: 1) Diet and Nutrition; 2) Health and Medical; 3) Lifestyle/Social. Of course there is overlap Read More

Gluten-Free Pasta: Fun New Alternatives

Pasta dishes are a classic favorite among young and old alike – after all, who doesn’t like pasta?! With varied shapes, diverse sauces, and ease of use in soups and other mixed dishes (think chili, for example), pasta is both versatile and delicious. There are plenty of great options made from gluten-free grains, so when Read More

First Steps to a Gluten-Free Life: Navigating Milestones

The first time you experience a significant activity or milestone event there’s bound to be an element of the unknown involved – after all, you don’t have past experience to inform your expectations. This can be exciting, but maybe a little nerve-wracking too. And if you’re new to living gluten-free, some of these “firsts” can Read More

Simple, One-Pot Gluten-Free Lasagna Soup

It’s the time of year for warm comfort foods, one pot meals and trying new things! You know all too well the demands of eating gluten-free. Throw in a few extra variables like kids and work schedules and sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming. We’ve teamed up with Jennifer Bigler of Living Freely Gluten-free Read More

Virtual Event: Is There Gluten in That Food? The Ins and Outs of Testing

GIG’s 4th quarter virtual education event took a deep dive into this important topic. In case you missed the live event, here’s a link to the session. Our guest panelists addressed why gluten testing is so complicated, how testing fits into the scheme of gluten-free labeling and certification, and what to keep in mind if Read More

How Does GFCO Certify Gluten-Free Food?

Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG)’s mission is to make life easier for everyone living gluten-free. We are a non-profit operated by people and parents of children with celiac disease and gluten-related disorders. Making sure gluten-free food is safe for all of us is our top priority! A key part of making that possible is our GFCO Read More

Staying Safely Gluten-Free: At Home and Beyond

We held another GIG Educational Event for Celiac Disease Awareness Month, this one titled Staying Safely Gluten-Free: At Home and Beyond. Our guest experts for the evening’s discussion were Dr. Joe Murray, a gastroenterologist from the Mayo Clinic; Laura Allred, Ph.D., GFCO’s regulatory expert; and Ronni Alicea, GFCO’s manager of quality control, who is also Read More

48 Years of Gluten Intolerance Group

Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) is celebrating 48 years of making life easier for everyone living gluten-free. Founded in 1974, GIG continues to grow and expand our programs and reach year-to-year. Here’s what we accomplished in 2021. Outreach and Education GIG Cares In keeping with our mission, GIG partnered with Cutting Costs for Celiacs, a small Read More

Staying Safely Gluten-Free: At Home and Beyond

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQWwhohPu4Q May 3rd, 5 pm PST/ 8 pm EST  You know the sources of gluten, are familiar with gluten-free alternatives and are feeling good. What else do you need to know for optimal health?   How can you avoid even tiny amounts of gluten? What do you do when gluten accidentally gets into that “gluten-free” food Read More

Renowned Expert Weighs in on Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity

We held a virtual event on January 18, 2022, with Dr. Stefano Guandalini, Professor Emeritus, Founder and Director Emeritus of the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center and former Chief of the Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology of the University of Chicago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jRx-Y0KhQY&t=2238s   Dr. Guandalini answers some of the attendee questions we didn’t get to Read More

BOOK REVIEW: The Gluten-Free Cookbook

GIG is excited for the opportunity to review and promote The Gluten-Free Cookbook (Phaidon Press) by Cristian Broglia. Click here for a special offer of 20% off the book. USE CODE GF20.  Click here for a chance to win this cookbook between Jan 26 and Feb 4, 2022. GIG will be giving away one free copy Read More

Celiac disease, Covid-19, and diabetes risk in children

On January 7, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a report on the connection between Covid-19 and risk of developing diabetes in children. Their findings indicate that people under the age of 18 who tested positive for Covid-19 were more likely to receive a new diabetes diagnosis (either type 1 or type 2) Read More

Celiac Disease & NCGS: Today and into the Future with Dr. Stefano Guandalini

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jRx-Y0KhQY Are you eager to learn the best ways to stay healthy from one of the leading physicians and researchers in the field of gluten-related disorders?    Trying to navigate the confusing information about non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS)?  Want to know what the future holds in terms of research, potential new treatments, and home testing for gluten-related disorders?  That’s what we’ll be discussing – in detail – Read More

7 Ways to Navigate the Holidays Gluten-Free

We posed the question, “What is the most difficult aspect of living gluten-free during the holidays?” on Instagram and Facebook. Here are some of the things we heard, paired with some of our tips on how to navigate these real-life challenges. The Challenge: So. Much. Work. Tip #1: Ask for help. Sometimes, we forget to ask for help when we need it, or we might worry that it Read More

A Gluten-Free Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinner is a popular holiday that’s typically centered around a multi-course meal enjoyed with family and friends. The intricate menu planning, breaking bread with family, and teaching children to bake homemade favorites are cherished traditions. For many, Thanksgiving dinner will serve gluten-free and gluten-eaters alike. But don’t worry: Thanksgiving is a celebratory meal where Read More

GIG Gluten-Free Resource Pages

We publish content every week on our website and continuously update currently existing content to provide you with the information and resources you need to make living gluten-free a little easier. Can you believe we have over 200 articles on our website and counting? To help you navigate all of this content, we’ve recently compiled several resource pages based on specific roles and needs. These pages are great starting points Read More

VIRTUAL EVENT 10/19: How Do You Get a Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity Diagnosis?

What might lead you to consider that you have a gluten intolerance? And if you suspect that, what happens next? Should you start eating gluten-free? That’s what we’ll be discussing – in detail – on Tuesday, October 19 at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET with three experts who will explain what happens once you start looking into the possibility of a diagnosis.

The Important Bill That Changes Gluten-Free Food Labels

On August 4, 2021, the Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2021 (FLMA) was introduced to update retail packaged food labeling requirements, particularly the ingredient list on packaged foods. A major goal of the bill is to make food labels more consumer-friendly by providing clear nutritional information.

Gluten-Free Summer Fun Events

It is officially summer, and outdoor activities are calling our names! Summertime can mean not only fun in the sun but outdoor meals, as well. Being at any event where food is served by others who might not know about celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) can be risky if you are living gluten-free. At some events, gluten-free food Read More

Eat Your Vegetables: Nutrients You May Be Missing When Gluten-Free

Published June, 2021   Cutting out wheat, rye, and barley – and products derived from those grains – is the way people with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) eat gluten-free. Sticking to a gluten-free diet helps heal intestinal damage caused by celiac disease, specifically, and improves health. NCGS does not cause intestinal damage but is also treated with a gluten-free diet. Eliminating gluten-containing grains and grain-based products from your diet, however, can reduce intake of some key nutrients. How can Read More

Racial Disparities in Celiac Disease Research, Testing, Diagnosis, and Support

Published June 2021   Over the years, celiac disease has been perceived as an autoimmune disorder mostly affecting Caucasians, particularly people of European descent.   In recent years, researchers have pointed out a potential bias in earlier celiac disease studies that either failed to include minorities in the research or didn’t delve more deeply into racial disparities in celiac disease testing.  Based on studies and reports from Read More

Cynthia Kupper’s Story: From a Celiac Disease Diagnosis to 25 Years Leading GIG

Published May 2021   Discovering you have celiac disease at any age can be a shock. For Cynthia Kupper, who learned she had celiac disease in her 30s, that discovery changed the entire course of her career.  As a diabetes educator for Saint Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington in the 1990s, Cynthia knew how important the role that diet and nutrition played in addressing specific health conditions. It was at the time that she began experiencing concerning health issues of her own: an infection that wouldn’t clear Read More

Self-Advocating: From Diagnosis to Living with Celiac Disease

Published May, 2021 Each step of your celiac disease journey comes with different sets of challenges – not just physical, but emotional ones as well. One part of living with celiac disease or a non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is standing up, or advocating, for yourself.   Standing up for yourself takes many different forms. Being your own advocate can be a major part of dealing with healthcare providers. You may find you also have to self-advocate when interacting with Read More

Celiac Disease: Getting the Supports You Need – A Live Virtual Event

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TboZ4J4Yl44&t=1696s As part of the educational content and resources we’ve planned for Celiac Disease Awareness Month, we’re hosting a free virtual panel featuring experts discussing the different ways you can get the support you need when living gluten-free.      WHAT: Celiac Disease: Getting the Supports You Need WHEN: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 5pm PT/8pm Read More

Celiac Disease Explained: Through Ages & Stages 

Published April, 2021 Your age and stage of life can vastly affect your experiences before and after getting a celiac diagnosis. Age and life stage can play a role in how long it could take to get to a proper diagnosis. How old you are, or where you are in life, can also contribute to making it easier or harder to adjust to living gluten-free.   Before we talk about ages and stages, let’s clarify who develops celiac Read More

Traditional Holiday Foods and Meals: A Gluten-Free Guide 

Published April, 2022 Food has played an important role in the holidays and religious observances in many different cultures around the world. This Spring, there are three holidays where people share meals featuring specific foods in a manner filled with meaning and tradition: Easter, Passover, and Ramadan. We’ve looked at the foods typically eaten during these special meals, with an eye toward Read More

7 Things to Know about Kissing Gluten-Free

Can kissing be a health hazard for someone living gluten-free? While there is no scientific proof about kissing as a cross-contact risk, there is an abundance of anecdotal evidence – including stories shared online – from celiac patients who claim to have been “glutened” through kissing. We’ve compiled some ways kissing could expose you to gluten, even in trace amounts. Check out our extra tips for addressing gluten-free Read More

Is Your Gluten-Free Food Tax Deductible? 

Published February 8, 2021 Most people who are living gluten-free would agree that gluten-free foods tend to be costlier than conventional foods. When these foods are required for medical reasons, is it possible to deduct them from your taxes as a medical expense? The short answer is: Yes.  Here are some criteria:  1. To file for this type of deduction, Read More

7 Salty, Savory, Sweet Gluten-Free Appetizers 

Published January 22, 2021 What goes hand-in-hand with The Big Game – or any celebratory event for that matter? Appetizers!   If you’re living gluten-free, no need to miss out on sweet, salty, or savory snacks while watching the big game, enjoying your favorite show on the small screen, or engaging in casual or fancy festivities. Even if you’re having a tiny gathering exclusively for your immediate household, these finger foods are free of gluten and full Read More

9 Ways we are Living Gluten-Free During the Pandemic 

Published January 8, 2021 How has the pandemic affected people who live gluten-free? In a time where we’ve drastically changed our daily routines, what have been some of the challenges you’ve faced maintaining your gluten-free way of life, and how have you overcome them – or have you?   We’ve compiled nine ways that maintaining our gluten-free lives have been affected by the lockdowns and changes across the country. Can you relate?  1. Cooking Read More

5 Ways to Cut Costs on a Gluten-Free Diet

Updated March 22, 2023 Following a gluten-free diet? Feeling a pinch in your pocketbook?  A valid concern since many gluten-free foods usually come with a higher price tag.   Luckily, eating gluten-free does  not  have to break the bank!  Here are five ways to decrease food costs when following a gluten-free diet.    Cut Costs on a Gluten-Free Diet 1. Focus on whole Read More

31 Ways to Kick off 2021: New Year, New (Gluten-Free) Food

Published January 1, 2021 It’s a New Year! Time to kick off 2021 in a fresh way. We’re focusing on trying new gluten-free foods and paying attention to our overall wellness this month. Follow along as we reveal a new tip, recipe, blog post or podcast every week.  #NewYearNewFood January 1st | National Bloody Mary Day It’s National Bloody Mary Day – but is it Read More

Last Minute Gluten-Free Gift Guide 2020

Published December 8, 2020 Looking for the perfect last-minute gluten-free gift item for the gluten-free people you know and love? We’ve compiled some gift ideas you can order online. Not sure when you need to order items so they arrive in time for the holidays? Hip2Save compiled a handy list of estimated shipping deadlines from Read More

31 December Food Holidays to Celebrate Gluten-Free

Published December 1, 2020 Food plays an important part in holiday celebrations. From Kwanza, Hannukah and Christmas to Yule, Festivus and Winter Solstice, specially-prepared traditional dishes go hand-in-hand with seasonal rituals. When you, or someone you love, is living gluten-free, holiday meals can be challenging or require extra thought and care. Did you know that Read More

Year End Appeal 2020

    “Hard times don’t create heroes. It is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed.” YOU can be a hero and make a difference in someone’s life so they can eat safely. In fact, you are already a hero to GIG. Because of you, GIG is strong. We are forging Read More

50 Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Side Dishes (by State)

Published November 19, 2020 Looking for gluten-free Thanksgiving side dishes? You’ve come to the right place. With the holiday season fast approaching, we continue to look for easy ways to create satisfying, safe eating experiences for anyone living gluten-free. You don’t have to ditch your favorite Thanksgiving traditions just because you can’t eat gluten. Inspired Read More

The #I ❤️ GlutenFree Instagram Challenge

Published November 1, 2020 Did you know November is National Gluten-Free Awareness Month? #NationalGFMonth  Being gluten-free is more than a diet – it’s a lifestyle.      Living with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a journey and a lifestyle. With the right information, and a strong support network, going gluten-free can be easy.  GIG is here to make life easier Read More

Gluten-Free Emergency Preparedness

Published March 2022 Being prepared for an emergency or natural disaster requires a great deal of planning and anticipation of a wide variety of situations. If you need to evacuate to an emergency shelter, can you be sure there will be gluten-free food available? People who require a gluten-free diet need to pay extra attention Read More

Safety of Gluten-Free Restaurant Food and Personal Testing Devices

Published October 7, 2020 A study on this topic got a lot of attention when it was presented at a gastroenterology conference this fall. Researchers claimed their study showed that a third of “gluten-free” restaurant food was not actually gluten-free. But before you panic and decide never to eat out again, here are some facts Read More

Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2020

Published September 29, 2020 GIG Research Update The 2020 Digestive Disease Week (DDW) conference was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but there was still much to be learned from abstracts that had already been submitted and accepted. Following are summaries of selected abstracts related to celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Probiotics for celiac disease Read More

Back-to-School During COVID

Published August 5, 2020 Back-to-school time is here, and like nearly everything else this year it is going to be different. Families across the country will be experiencing diverse options for their school age kids, from being in class part-time to 100% remote to hybrid approaches. If you have children with celiac disease or gluten Read More

Generation GF TEEN CHAT!

Teen? Gluten-free? Come zoom with Generation GF. Make some gluten-free connections, chat, vent, learn, and even find out how to collab with us on our mentorship project (a great way to build up some leadership credentials and volunteer hours) or attend our teen summit.   Generation GF has a lot to offer, be sure to join Read More

Gluten-free Labeling: What you need to know during the pandemic and beyond

Published June 1, 2020 For those of us who need to be gluten-free, reading food labels is one of the most basic approaches to making sure that the foods we eat are safely gluten-free. In addition to being basic and necessary, reading labels can also be tricky and confusing, even under normal circumstances. During the Read More

Making Healthy Choices While Gluten-Free & Social Distancing

May 12, 2020 All members of the gluten-free community are welcome to Join us on Tuesday, 5/12 5:00pm PT/8:00pm ET for the second in a series of virtual education and support discussions. Register below! This Zoom discussion will include a 30 minute discussion by our experts followed by an open Q&A session.   Coral Barajas Read More

Coping During the Covid-19 Pandemic While Living Gluten-Free

May 4, 2020 All members of the gluten-free community are welcome to Join us on Monday, May 4th at 5pm PST/8pm EST for the first in a series of virtual education and support discussions. Register below.   Featuring:   Dr. Deena Abbe, Psychologist, PhD         Dr. Lisa Shaver, ND, MSOM, LAC   Read More

Quarantine Preparedness

Published June 8, 2020 Shelf-stable items Gluten-free items that are shelf-stable* and relatively nutrient-dense to keep on hand in advance of possible quarantine. Always confirm gluten-free status when purchasing. Beans & Lentils:  Any type, dried &/or canned. For dried , choose certified or gluten-free labeled when possible. Meat: Canned or in pouches. Such as tuna, Read More

Gluten-Free Pandemic Resources

Updated February 8, 2021 During these unprecedented times, the availability of food, especially gluten-free food, can lead to challenges at mealtimes. Check out these resources to help you get creative in the kitchen, even with just the basics on hand. Remember: You may not be able to fill every craving, but you will have sustenance, Read More

Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2019

Published January 17, 2020 May 18-21, San Diego. Research summaries   GIG’s Education Supervisor, Lola O’Rourke MS, RDN, recently attended the 50th anniversary Digestive Disease Week (DDW) conference in San Diego and has compiled an impressive list of summaries of the latest research on celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and gluten-related disorders.  Be sure to check Read More

Update on European Guidelines on Celiac Disease & Other Gluten-Related Disorders

August, 2019   Updated recommendations on the management of celiac disease (CD) and gluten-related disorders were recently published by the European Society for the Study of Coeliac Disease. A multi-national group of experts including both pediatric and adult gastroenterologists conducted a review of current guidelines, and a literature review of relevant articles published from 1990 to Read More

Acing the School Year – Easy as 1-2-Gluten-Free

Published July, 2022   It’s back-to-school time! A fresh new school year awaits with new classes, new teachers, and new activities. This is sure to be an exciting time in your child’s life, but some things might give butterflies in both of your stomachs. We understand. You might get nervous sometimes, especially when food is Read More

Generation GF of Bucks County Group Spotlight

Published January 17, 2020 Hi! My name is Mackenzie Willbanks, and I am 18 years old. Experiencing firsthand the lack of knowledge the public has about celiac disease in my community – I decided it was time for a change. I contacted the Gluten Intolerance Group in 2017; I wanted to be the gluten- free voice Read More

I’m Gluten-Free Too! Meet Camille

Published June 17, 2020 How old are you and how long have you been gluten-free?  I’m five and a half. I’ve been gluten-free for one and a half years. It was a little scary when I had to go to sleep so they could see in my tummy, but I got a cool stuffy [stuffed Read More

Dear Dr. Abbe

Published January 16, 2020 Dear Dr. Abbe is Generation GF’s advice column. Dr. Abbe is a licensed psychologist with a PhD in Clinical and School Psychology. She responds to your questions about life as a gluten-free kid or teen. Email GenerationGF@archive.gluten.org to submit a question of your own, and look for it in an upcoming Read More

Growing Awareness Of The Importance Of Gluten-Free Certification Leads To 108 Products Being Certified Gluten-Free

Growing Awareness of the Importance of Gluten-free Certification Leads to 108 Products Being Certified Gluten-Free by Gluten Intolerance Group’s GFCO in May and June AUBURN, Wash. (July 16, 2019)— The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), the industry leader in the certification of gluten-free products and food services, announces that it certified 108 products from 14 brands in May and Read More

Food And Drink Manufacturers Receive Gluten-Free Certification For 132 Products

Food and Drink Manufacturers Receive Gluten-Free Certification for 132 Products from Gluten Intolerance Group’s GFCO Program in March and April   AUBURN, Wash. (May 21, 2019)— The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), the industry leader in the certification of gluten-free products and food services, certified 132 products from 22 brands in March and April through its Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) program. Read More