Having Celiac Disease has nothing to do with one's social life. Celiac Disease is an autoimmune system disorder where the body can not tolerate gluten (bran; rye; oats and wheat.) Having Celiac Disease is no different than having bad Allergies that one has to control. Although the diet is very strict there are many products such as pizza; hamburger buns, etc., that can be bought at different stores and the U.S. has a good variety of gluten-free products. Also a great many restaurants now have a gluten-free menu so teens can ask the waitress if they have a gluten-free menu or, choose foods such as salads; chicken without sauces; no gravies or white sauces, but they could have steak; pasta that is made from corn or rice; Tacos (Celiac people can eat corn products.) Celiac Disease is extremely common and more and more families are going gluten-free even though they do not have Celiac Disease. A teen should not feel they are left out or thought of as having some disease that can transferred to other people and knowledge is the answer. There is great information on the internet.
