Celiac Disease… A Plot Twist No One Saw Coming and Why It’s Not the End of Your Foodie Dreams

Celiac Disease… A Plot Twist No One Saw Coming

and Why It’s Not the End of Your Foodie Dreams

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

Celiac Disease is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects nearly one in 100 people worldwide. You’d think with numbers like that it would be better understood, but surprisingly, it often flies under the radar. Many people go undiagnosed for years—or, in some cases, like the story you’re about to read, they get hit with the diagnosis like a gluten-filled freight train they never saw coming.

For me, a diagnosis of Celiac Disease came out of nowhere. No one in my family has ever had it, I never really had symptoms of it, and really didn't know much about it.

Sounds familiar, right? Life is cruising along, you’ve got your favorite foods—pasta, bread, maybe a cupcake or two—and then suddenly, your digestive system starts staging a full-on rebellion.

In this case, the turning point came in 2023, after multiple rounds of COVID-19, I found myself having a lot of stomach issues. Everything I ate seemed to make me sick and put me in the bathroom for days on end. I would also experience some of the most awful stomach cramps I had ever felt. The pain was so intense that it landed me in the ER.

That emergency visit revealed a hiatal hernia and suspected gastritis—unpleasant enough on their own—but the plot thickened. A referral to a gastrointestinal doctor led to more tests: a colonoscopy, endoscopy, and blood work. The results? A gut full of inflammation, the previously mentioned hernia, gastritis… and the bombshell: Celiac Disease. Just like that, life changed. And so did the menu.

I found myself no longer able to eat my favorite foods. Pasta and bread were life for me!  . Imagine discovering that your two greatest culinary loves are now your immune system’s worst enemies. It’s heartbreaking. But this story doesn’t end in tragedy—it actually pivots into something unexpectedly empowering.

After committing to a strictly gluten-free lifestyle for three months, and the transformation was stunning. Not only was I feeling great and not getting sick, but I also actually had energy and was losing weight. Suddenly, my body felt like it was working with me instead of against me. For anyone living with undiagnosed Celiac Disease, that level of turnaround isn’t just possible—it’s common.

And now, let’s bust a myth or two, shall we? There’s this widespread belief that being diagnosed with Celiac Disease means you have to say goodbye to pasta, cookies, cake, and basically everything joyful in life. That’s just not true! There are several good gluten-free pasta choices out there. My favorite is actually the spaghetti noodles from the Dollar Tree—even my family likes them. I honestly can’t even tell a difference between them and regular noodles.

Yes, you read that right—Dollar Tree spaghetti noodles. Affordable, tasty, and 100% gluten-free. And for those who mourn the loss of cookies, muffins, or pancakes: fear not. If you buy the right ingredients, you can make all the yummy foods you ate before—just in gluten-free versions. I am a big baker so there was no way I could just cut out all baked goods from my life. Thankfully I didn’t have to. With a lot of research and some trial and error I found that baking gluten free goodies can taste just as good as regular baked goods.

So, let’s clear something up—Celiac Disease isn’t a food death sentence. It does mean adjusting, learning to read labels like a hawk, and probably Googling “gluten-free restaurants near me” more times than you’d care to admit. But it doesn’t mean sacrificing taste or joy. Quite the opposite, really. For many, the gluten-free lifestyle brings relief, energy, and a renewed appreciation for health and wellness.

Celiac Disease isn’t just about digestive distress. It can impact nutrient absorption, lead to chronic fatigue, and increase risks for serious conditions like osteoporosis, infertility, neurological issues, and even certain cancers if left untreated. The only current treatment is a strict gluten-free diet—but that alone can work wonders. And what better time to talk about it than now? May is Celiac Awareness Month, a time to shed light on this frequently misunderstood condition, to support those newly diagnosed, and to celebrate the victories—big and small—of living gluten-free.

Whether you’re someone navigating life with Celiac, supporting a friend or family member, or just here out of curiosity, remember this: diagnosis is not the end. It’s just the beginning of a new—and surprisingly delicious—chapter. Are you or someone you know living with Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance? Don’t be afraid to share your story. Awareness starts with conversation.