Just a few years ago, most Americans had never heard of “celiac disease” or “gluten-free” foods. But today, an estimated 1 in 133 Americans has celiac disease.
So what is it?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. It is estimated that 83% of Americans who have celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.
Today, supermarket shelves are now lined with more products every day for those who suffer with the disease, and companies like ours have an array of gluten-free meals that can be delivered to your door.
This is especially fortunate for seniors, who, according to recent studies, are more than twice as likely as the general population to suffer from celiac disease.
Although the reasons are unclear, celiac disease is four times more common now than 60 years ago, and seniors are particularly at risk.
Today, some choose a gluten-free diet because of its many health benefits, and for others, the restrictive diet can often lead to a resolution of symptoms, increased health, and better absorption of nutrients.
“My husband and I both are on a gluten-free diet, me for celiac disease and his because that’s the way I serve now in our home,” said Louise S., age 74, of Tallahassee, FL. “Both of us love the choices of meals we can have delivered from Mom’s Meals, especially the gluten-free pancakes with turkey sausage and the turkey Bolognese with rice noodles. The meals allow us the freedom to not agonize over our meals, something we have come to really relish.”