Did you know that September 13th was Celiac Awareness Day? Neither did I,so I missed my opportunity to help spread the word about this condition that affects 3 million Americans on that day, so I am taking time today to make up for that.
While I have never been tested for Celiac, there are several members of my immediate and extended family who have tested postive for it. And because I had the same symptoms as they did before I started eating gluten free, I am fairly certain I have it too.
One thing to remember is that Celiac Disease can affect different people in different ways, so it is sometimes difficult to diagnose. So, If you have any of the major symptoms you should consider either being tested or doing a trial gluten free diet.This symptom list comes from Celiac Disease Foundation’s website:
CLASSIC SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE
- Abdominal cramping, intestinal gas
- Distention and bloating of the stomach
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both)
- Steatorrhea ā fatty stools
- Anemia ā unexplained, due to folic acid, B12 or iron deficiency (or all)
- Unexplained weight loss with large appetite or weight gain
OTHER SYMPTOMS
- Dental enamel defects
- Osteopenia, osteoporosis
- Bone or joint pain
- Fatigue, weakness and lack of energy
- Infertility ā male/female
- Depression
- Mouth ulcers
- Delayed puberty
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Migraine headaches
SOME LONG-TERM CONDITIONS THAT CAN RESULT FROM UNTREATED CD
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia
- Vitamin K deficiency associated with risk for hemorrhaging
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Central and peripheral nervous system disorders – usually due to unsuspected nutrient deficiencies
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Intestinal lymphomas and other GI cancers (malignancies)
- Gall bladder malfunction
- Neurological manifestations
When I started eating gluten free, it was my intention to do so for 2 weeks to see if I felt better. I felt so much better that I never went back to eating gluten. I have tried many gluten free snacks over the years, and to be honest, not all of them are that good. But, the new Clif’s Kit Bars are delicious. Even my non-gluten free husband likes them.
To help spread the word about Celiac Disease, Clif is sponsoring a giveaway of Clif’s Kit Bars and Clif’s Luna Bars:
CLIF Kitās Organic is a new, simply delicious fruit and nut bar made with a handful of ingredients. Available in four great-tasting flavors (Berry Almond, Cashew, Peanut Butter, and Chocolate Almond Coconut) Kitās Organic is certified gluten-free, soy-free and dairy-free. Plus, each is 200 calories or less.
Another great gluten-free treat from CLIF Bar is LUNA Protein. Under 200 calories, LUNA Protein bars are certified gluten free, have 12 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and the CORE 4ā¢ nutrients women need most: calcium, iron, vitamin D and folate.
Five lucky readers of Fabgrandma will each win an assortment of Kitās Organic and LUNA Protein bars. Just enter using the Rafflecopter form below:
This giveaway ends on October 9, 2012 at 12:01 a.m. The prize is an assortment of Kit’s Organic and LUNA Protein bars to each of (5) five winners. Giveaway is open to residents of the United States only. Winners will be notified by email, so be sure to use a valid email address when entering. Winners will have 48 hours after being notified of winning to respond with their shipping address, or another winner will be chosen. Prizes are the responsibility of and will be shipped by the sponsor.
Of the Kit’s bars, definitely the berry almond! I’ve had several of the Luna bars and loved all of them. š
I would definitely like the crunchy peanut butter!
I would love the Chocolate Almond Coconut organic the best!
I would like to try the Kit Peanut Butter bar.
I think the Spiced Pumpkin Cliff bar would be delicious!
I love the spiced pumpkin flavor. Sarah at realtorsd.com
well now i am scared because i have just about all of those symptoms listed above =o/
berry almond is close to a breakfast bar that i currently eat but it is noglutenun free.
In the mood for Spiced Pumpkin!
Great Article!! Thanks for writing this!! No one knows for sure if they have this, but several in our kin find they feel better when avoiding gluten, myself included!!
Chocolate almond coconut!
Definitely the Chocolate Almond Coconut! Yum!
chocolate chip.
Cookie Dough would be my top pick
Kits Organic Berry Almond for me, a whole bunch of them!!!!
I would like to try the chocolate chip z bar.
I pick the Cashew bar
retirenavalflyer(at)gmail.com
The cashew sounds good.
Berry Almond
Chocolate Almond Coconut !
Chocolate almond coconut
So YUMMY!
Berry Almond is my favorite. I love these bars because they are gluten free.
I think I would enjoy the Berry Almond flavor.
Crunchy peanut butter
I think I’d like the Cashew flavor best!
I WOULD LOVE ANY BUT THE CASHEW SOUNDS AWESOME.
I would like Chocolate Almond Coconut.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I’d like to try the Spiced Pumpkin Cliff bar!
spiced pumpkin!
The Cashew one sounds delicious!!
i think i would like to try spiced pumpkin
peanut butter
I love crunchy peanut butter Cliff Bars!
I think the pumpkin pie flavor sounds great!
I think I would like berry almond or cashew best!
i want carrot cake
i would love to try the seasonal pumpkin spice flavor, but i LOVE the chocolate brownie one!
Cashew!! grammypenny@frontier.com
the chocolate almond coconut is on my list! YUM!
anything with peanut butter and chocolate! yummmmm oh and carrot cake sounds good too
I think I would like the chocolate almond coconut best.
Kits organic peanut butter and luna protein choco peanut butter
the Spiced Pumpkin Cliff bar
The crunchy peanut butter . . . yum! š
I am a sucker for anything with chocolate or peanut butter, and they have a lot to choose from!
Berry Almond sounds delicious. Would love to try it.
I love Luna Protein (and regular Luna) bars!!!! I think the Berry Almond Kit’s Organic bars sound amazing š
Luna Lemon Zest! Thanks.
I would love to try the Chocolate Almond Coconut.
Chocolate Almond Coconut looks delicious.
The Kit bar in choco almond coconut… yum!
crunchy peanut butter would be my fav!
I want to try the Iced Gingerbread! Yum!
not sure one of the choc. chip
The Chocolate Almond Coconut sounds super yummy- like an Almond Joy bar!
I’d lie to try caramel nut brownie
chocolate almond coconut
cashew
I’d love the cookies n’ cream clif bar and luna peanut butter cookie bar
Would love to try the Peanut Butter flavor…..
Berry Almond!
I like the Berry Almond
crunchy peanut butter
love the brownie ones!
chocolate cherry almond
spiced pumpkin pie
I think I would prefer the Peanut Butter Kit bar, sounds delicious!
When I am HUNGRY, I actually crave peanut butter! Can’t explain, but I love the taste of peanut butter!
I think cashew sounds nive.
Oatmeal raisin walnut sounds yummy.
chocolate almond coconut for me
apricot!
caramel nut brownie
chocolate almond coconut
The chocolate almond coconut bar sounds the best to me.
I’m ready for a Caramel Nut Brownie
chocolate almond coconut
chocolate almond coconut
Chocolate almond cherry sounds good.
I am so excited to try anyone of the cliff kits bars they look so good and would be an amazing treat…just started getting rid of gluten and its changing my life
I am a peanut butter lover so this would be the first flavor I would try!
I would like to try the Chocolate Chip Clif Bar.
iced gingerbread
Oh the Peanut butter sounds wonderful!
Chocolate Almond Coconut sound delish!
Berry Almond sounds good
peanut butter
iced oatmeal
Thanks for the giveaway! Janna Johnson jannajanna@hotmail.com GFC: janna@feedyourpig
I think the Chocolate Almond Coconut would be my favorite!
Chocolate Almond Coconut
Entered the rafflecopter form as “Wild Orchid”
Thanks for the cool giveaway!
wildorchid985 @ gmail dot com
Ooo yum the Chocolate Coconut Almond.
the peanut butter I love everything with peanut butter
chocolate almond coconut
Berry Almond
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
Luna Protein Cookie Dough
e Iced Gingerbread
Luna peanut butter cookie bar
I’d like to try the Chocolate Almond Coconut!
I’d be interested in the Chocolate Chip bars.
would be nice gift
I would like to try to the chocolate almond coconut. I have tried the Berry Almond already and it is VERY delish š
I’d like the Chocolate Chip Crunch Bar!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I would love the Berry Almond.
chocolate almond coconut
I’d like to try Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter, yum yum !!
I’d like the peanut butter.
The Mojo Peanut Butter Pretzel looks awesone!
wolverina401 at gmail dot com
I think I would like cashew the best
Chocolate Almond Coconut.
chocolate almond coconut sounds yummy
The chocolate almond cocunut sounds really good!
Peanut butter sounds great
The peanut butter one sounds good!
mint brownie
I think I would like the Chocolate Almond Coconut Clif Kit Bar.
for me the berry almond sounds yummy!!
The Peanut Butter sounds great.
chocolate almond coconut. I love the fact of gluten free.
the cashew bars
the cashew one and love the zbars oatmeal
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Chocolate Almond Coconut sounds good!
Chocolate almond coconut or cashew.
Luna Bar Chocolate Dipped Coconut
my favorite is cashew
Peanut Butter
I’d like the Crunchy Granola Bar – thank you.
Peanut butter would be my favorite.
I’m all about peanut butter!!!
I would like Chocolate Brownie
I have several friends and family members that have Celiac Disease, and I did not know that September 13 was Celiac Awareness day. I feel horrible!! But now I know. I have a son with ADHD and the doctors have said that cutting gluten from his diet would be a positive diet change. So we try very hard to eat gluten free. And to know that LUNA is Gluten free is fantastic news. I didn’t even realize it, and we are LUNA bar fans in this house. I work full time and go to school in the evenings. Sometimes a LUNA bar is what gets me through my night classes. Winning this prize would be awesome!
I would like chocolate almond coconut.
I’ve tried the Kit’s cashew – and they are delicious!
I’d love the try the berry almond first!!
chocolate almond coconut
I would like to try the Berry Almond fruit and nut bar.
cjnedrow at gmail dot com
The chocolate almond coconut sounds flvorific to me.
I love anything oatmeal raisin!
The chocolate almond coconut
chocolate almond coconut!
Chocolate Almond Coconut, yum! š
I’d love to try the Cashew bars.
Chocolate Brownie š
I’d like the Berry Almond.
Chocolate brownie
The chocolate brownie! š
I would like Berry Almond. Thanks for the giveaway.
Chocolate almond coconut
I think I would love the Carrot Cake.
I like Black Cherry Almond
I think the cashew sounds good to me, because I love cashews.
Chocolate chip crunch!
The peanut butter one! Peanut butter makes everything better š
Oatmeal raisin walnut sounds awesome.
the chocolate almond coconut Kit’s Organic bar
Black Cherry Almond
They all sound delicious! I think the Chocolate Almond Coconut would be my favorite.
The chocolate brownie!
i want to try the white chocolate macadamia
Cookies and Creme
Chocolate Almond Coconut!
berry almond
Chocolate Brownie would be my choice!
I would love to try the cashew.
Choc almond coconut
chocolate almond coconut
Peanut Butter
chocolate almond coconut
I would love to try the Peanut Butter.
Thanks for the contest!
I think I would like Cool Mint Chocolate.
The berry almond sounds good. Thanks!!
Chocolate peanut butter.
cashew
I would love to try the peanut butter.
Peanut Butter
I would love the berry almond.
iced gingerbread sounds divine.
Iād like the Chocolate Chip Crunch Bar!
I think I would like the Berry Almond.
The cookie dough sounds great! :O)
Peanut butter!
i like the chocolare brownie
Black Cherry Almond
I would like to try iced gingerbread.
The Berry Almond looks so good!
lauraemerson17 at yahoo dot com