Lets pave the way for the next Celiac who comes along

To every person with celiac disease who still bravely steps into a restaurant despite the fear, thank you for asking the uncomfortable questions and sharing some knowledge - you are already an advocate.

You’re not only advocating for your health in a food culture where wheat hides in soy sauce, marinades, stock cubes, sauces, and kitchen shortcuts — a food culture where so many dishes in restaurants come pre-prepped from commissaries, unlabeled and unmarked for allergens. You are laying down a small stepping stone for the next person who walks in after you.

Your caution is not being difficult, although how challenging the confrontation may be, because the next celiac who speaks to that server, or orders from that same menu, will hopefully be met with a little more understanding than you were.

We deserve restaurants that take allergies and celiac disease seriously — not out of fear of complaints, but out of genuine care for the people they serve. We deserve to eat without having to question every ingredient and process of a dish promoted as allergen-free or negotiating with staff who don’t fully understand what’s at stake. We deserve dignity, safety, and the simple joy of enjoying food without fear.

To those working in food service: your willingness to listen and learn can completely change a celiac’s dining experience. Clear, transparent menus already show care. Educating staff about allergens goes even further. One attentive server, one chef who double-checks ingredients and can confirm them, one kitchen that understands cross-contact — that alone can turn an anxious meal into a moment of relief and calm.

Real awareness has a long way to go before it becomes the norm. It will not be easy, yet we should keep trying to advocate, because change won’t happen unless we push for it.

We have a long way to go, but with that one little step you took, we are already a little bit closer.

~Marge