Research Into a Unique Food Guide for Celiacs

A Conversation with Dr. Diana Mager from the University of Alberta

Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –

On this episode I speak with a very enthusiastic researcher, Dr. Diana Mager, who is also a Registered Dietitian. Dr. Mager is working on a project developing a food guide for young people diagnosed with celiac disease.  This resource would take into account the special requirements of growing children and youth on a gluten free diet.  After working with families facing the diagnosis of a child, and requests from the celiac community, Dr. Mager has put together a team, and funding to develop the resources families need to cope in switching a child to a gluten free diet.  As part of the process, Dr. Mager is asking for Canadian families with celiac children to fill in a survey to help them finalize their food guide.

You can access the survey at https://conquer-studies.weebly.com/

You can email the research group at conqceli@ualberta.ca

You can find Dr. Diana Mager on Twitter for more information @conquerstudies

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Facebook – @acanadianceliacpodcast

Twitter – CeliacPodcastCA

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

I’m sure we can all remember our first visit to the dietitian after our diagnosis.  For me, I didn’t do much to prepare, I wasn’t even sure I knew what gluten was.  I was pinning all my hopes on the dietitian waving some sort of magic wand over me and all of a sudden, I would have no desire for the foods that contained gluten any more, and would have super-powers to interpret the diet and thrive on it.  My visit with the dietitian was very positive and I learned a great deal, but it wasn’t magic, and I didn’t leave feeling like I had a new super-power.

I did however, feel special.  Whenever I heard or saw any sort of program that involved food – weight watchers, diet food providers, all-inclusive vacations, or even meal planning resources – I knew that my needs were probably not going to be met.  Over the past 20 years or so, those of us on a gluten free diet have begun to enjoy much of the same “exposure” that everyone else gets.  It isn’t enough to say this diet isn’t by choice, as many others are, but at least we’re getting a seat at the table.  It’s wonderful to see that many food operators, or food provider programs now have a special section on their websites about how they can provide for those on a gluten free diet.

What Dr. Mager’s group is doing is a step above.  Recently a new Canada’s Food Guide was released, which was less bread-centric and more adaptable to gluten free.  It’s helpful to know the gluten free diet first, then apply the food guide.  But, as Dr. Mager’s group is highlighting, young people making the switch to a gluten free diet are hardly in a position to get the nutrition right. without more directed resources. 

I’ve seen some of the material the team is working on and they are setting a very high standard.  The Food Guide for Youth with Celiac Disease will be a game changer for families across Canada.  If you are in a position to contribute to the research by filling in a survey, I encourage you to do so – be a part of a better more nutritious future for our celiac youth.