May is Celiac Awareness Month

On May 21st, the Calgary Tower will light up green for Celiac Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about celiac disease and encourage earlier diagnosis across Canada. According to Celiac Canada, celiac disease affects approximately 1% of the population, yet only 20% of people have been formally diagnosed. That means thousands of Canadians may be experiencing symptoms without knowing the cause.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by your body’s overreaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. While many people associate it with digestive symptoms, such as stomach aches or diarrhea, celiac disease can also cause fatigue, anemia, skin rashes, headaches, anxiety or even no symptoms at all.

For those living with celiac disease, following a strict gluten-free diet for the rest of their life is medically necessary. Awareness, clear food labelling, and safe food preparation all play an important role in helping Canadians with celiac disease stay healthy. Visit Celiac Canada to learn more.

Gluten-Free with Calgary Meals on Wheels

At Calgary Meals on Wheels, we are committed to providing safe and reliable gluten-free meals. Our process begins with the careful sourcing of gluten-free ingredients, which are stored separately in designated dry storage, cooler, and freezer areas. Gluten-free meals are prepared first and separately from other menu items to minimize the risk of cross contamination. Meals are then sealed and clearly labelled to help prevent accidental mix-ups. While our facility is not gluten-free, we have best practices in place to prevent cross contamination as much as possible. Try one of our gluten-free meals today!