My tips & tricks!

When in situations where you aren’t sure if you will be able to eat safely, planning ahead of time can be very helpful. An example of this is being at someone's birthday party. Whatever the food is, pizza, cake, etc, there is a likely chance that it has gluten in it. This just means that you need to understand ahead of time what you are allowed to eat. This can mean bringing your own cupcake to eat while everyone else has cake. It can also mean that you eat before you leave, as it might be less uncomfortable if you just deny eating a certain food, in this instance cake. Another thing to watch out for is bat/bar mitzvahs, or sweet sixteens. Usually, I call up the venue that is hosting the party and ask what food they are planning to serve. They either have something gluten-free already or I ask for something separate to be made specifically for me. 

Also, if I’m interested in food, toothpaste, mouthwash, medicines, etc., but unsure if it's safe, I will directly contact the company that manufactures the product. Most companies understand the challenges that Celiac’s face and will respond back.

One of my favorite events is the Nourished Festival, which takes place in New Jersey. Once a year, an event is held that brings gluten-free brands into the same room. I walk around and try out each food, and then get a sense of which brands I should buy for home. Not only is it very helpful for getting a sense of different products that are Celiac safe, but it is a place to not have to think if a food is gluten-free or not.