I’ve been thinking a lot about living with celiac disease and being gluten free. It really hit me the other night when the “gluten free” menu at a restaurant had almost nothing but a plain salad. After more than a decade gluten free, I expected things to be easier by now.

Diagnosed During the Gluten-Free Fad

I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2013, right in the middle of the gluten‑free fad diet craze. It was before the FDA officially defined “gluten free,” and reading labels felt like solving a puzzle. Since then, we’ve made some progress… but in many ways, we haven’t.

Restaurants: Easier, Yet Still Frustrating

Today, asking for gluten‑free options is more mainstream. Many restaurants will tell you what’s safe, but few advertise it. Instead, they often use the term “gluten friendly” to avoid the legal responsibility of a true gluten‑free claim.

• Sometimes “gluten friendly” means the kitchen takes extra precautions.
• Other times, it just means the ingredients don’t contain gluten.

Finding safe gluten‑free restaurants can still be stressful—even though it was supposed to be easier by now.

Grocery Store Options: Mixed Progress

After the pandemic, I expected grocery stores to be overflowing with gluten‑free products. Instead, the market feels unpredictable. Some brands have discontinued their products, while others release new gluten‑free items all the time. I’m never sure which way the wind is blowing when it comes to gluten‑free grocery products.

Social Media Rumors and Fear

Rumors and fear‑mongering about gluten are still alive on social media, though smaller than before. Many are realizing that nobody can live 100% gluten free unless they grow and process their own food. Gluten used to be the “nutrition villain,” but now seed oils seem to have taken its place. For more on this, check out common gluten‑free myths.

Medical Testing and Education Still Lagging

Testing for celiac disease seems to be on the rise. But many doctors either don’t order the right tests or misinterpret results. Some get it right; many get it very wrong. Learn more about the process in our guide to celiac testing.

Equally frustrating is the lack of education after diagnosis. A guidebook, starter kit, or even a simple pamphlet for patients would be incredibly helpful. If new parents can get gift baskets at their first pediatrician visit, surely celiac patients deserve something similar. For anyone new to the diagnosis, our gluten‑free starter guide can help fill that gap.

Still Waiting for a Cure

We were supposed to have a medication or cure for celiac disease by now. Researchers are working hard, but nothing is available yet. I’m ready for the day when we at least have the option. Stay up to date with the latest celiac disease research.

Have We Really Made Progress?

It has been 12 years since my diagnosis, and I’m not sure we’ve made much progress. Dining out is still stressful, grocery shopping is inconsistent, and the medical community struggles to guide new patients. I guess the wheels of change move more slowly than I’d like.

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• How to Get Tested for Celiac Disease
• Beginner’s Guide to Living Gluten Free
• Latest Research on Celiac Disease