It is Black History Month, and we need to make the gluten-free community more inclusive.
Black people and people of color have a harder time being diagnosed because of the perception that celiac disease is not present in that population. It is also because doctors often assume that celiac disease always presents in a person who is underweight.
Both of these assumptions are not true. Celiac disease is present in people of color. BMI is not an indicator of celiac disease. As someone who is overweight, my celiac disease never presented as losing weight. Instead it showed up in low iron levels and low vitamin D. I was never tested for celiac disease when they were trying to find the source of my low iron. If I had been, I would have been dianosed at least 1 year earlier.
Another challenge of diagnosis is the fact that black people often receive more negative results from blood tests than non-Hispanic white people. This leads to underdiagnosis. Beyond Celiac does a wonderful time detailing the details of this underdiagnosis.
Here are ways you can make the gluten-free community more inclusive:
Educate people about celiac disease. The more we educate, the more people will be diagnosed instead of suffering with undiagnosed disease.
Follow gluten-free creators that are people of color. My friend, Liz @yeet.that.wheat, has compiled a list of creators to follow. Please follow Liz on her Instagram and TikTok
and follow the gltuen-free creators she has recognized.
@yeet.that.wheat -Liz | @glutenfreetravelstheworld - Jen |
@glutenfreekris - Kris - Chantale | @ajenniferforyourthoughts |
@afrosandallergies - Kimberly | @desi_celiac_sisters - Meena & Rachna |
@theceliacboi - Abhishek | @the.celiac.nurse - Jaelyn |
@celiacfooodie - Christina | @noglutenshan - Shan |
@maradowling - Mara | @theceliacdilemma - Riddhima |
@glutenfreejio - Jio | @glutenfreeyara - Yara |
@eatingwith.pcos - Senora | @organicallyjae - Jae |
@simithecoeliac - Simi | @laulimakitchen - Jenny |
@lindenparkwhisk - Melizza* | @shivaika - Shiv |
@the_secret_life_of_x - X | @sayimafoodie - Megan |
@violetcooksthings - Violet | @wheresxthexfood - Aneesa |
@glutenfree frybread - Rachel | @glutenfree_wonderwoman - Rocio |
@aimadeitforyou - Ai | @loveitglutenfree - Taising* |
@blackallergymama - Renia | @glutenfreechefblog - Calvin |
@glutenfree_heavenb - Heaven | @sweetwithoutwheat - Diana* |
@antiwheatgirl - Priyanka | @blkandglutenfree - Nakaya & Kamay |
@thetattooedceliac - Erika | @glutenfreetrips - Elisa |
@glutenfreewithvee - Vanessa | @glutenfreenthedmv - Cassandra |
@glutenfreebasicb - Esha | @metemgee - Althea |
@triangletravelingcaveman - Andy | @gluten_free_by_mahfooza - Mahfooz |
@lainesgfbakery - Megan* | @healmedelicious – Nicole |
@pies_by_di – Di* Pies & Cakes | @theallergychef - Kathleena |
Engage with them in a meaningful way. Read their posts, watch their videos, comment. This is more than just an emoji. Start a conversation and see where they are from. Who knows, they may be in your area and you can connect personally.
Buy from black-owned businesses run by people of color. The ones with an asterisk are businesses. Pies By Di is a black-owned business and ships pies, cakes and cookies nationwide.
Sincerely by Paryani has some of the most delicious cakes ,and she ships nationwide. The lemon coconut cake shown reminded me so much of the lemon cake Costco sells.
People of color may also run local businesses. In San Diego, support local gluten-free businesses like El Tianguis for delicious Mexican food, you can even order food to cater your meetings or parties. Channi's Donuts are the place for gluten-free and allergen free donuts. El Bondi Gluten-Free makes gluten-free and vegetarian empanadas in the Argentinan style. You can order from them or see them at farmer's markets throughout the city.
What businesses are in your area?
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