Ep 195 Catching Up with Nicole Byrom RD
Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –
It’s great for me to have returning guests on the podcast. Nicole Byrom RD, works with the Canadian Celiac Association as the Health Promotions Manager. When I contacted her about coming back on the podcast, she had a list of things she wanted to inform listeners about. The topic of arsenic in our food comes up often. Nicole tells us why this is important to the celiac population and some ways to reduce arsenic exposure. Nicole is involved in an upcoming webinar about Type I Diabetes and its relation to celiac disease. There is a link below for more information on the webinar.
Since this is October, the topic of Halloween candy came up. We both discussed how our celiac daughters were able to make the best of what could be a difficult situation. Below is a link to the list of safe Halloween candy from the CCA. Nicole filled us in on the growing practice of setting out “teal pumpkins” to signify that the house has non-food or allergen friendly treats to give away.
Nicole told us of the upcoming publications from the CCA as well she reminded us of the CCA Virtual Conference to be held on November 13th and 14th. Below are links to sign up for the virtual conference, as well as to be on the email list for CCA publications. It’s not too late donate to the teams from the CCA across the country running in the Scotiabank Run, as per the link below. Nicole suggests you donate to her team BC CCA, as there is a bit of a competition going on.
Webinar with Diabetes Canada – https://www.celiac.ca/news-events/events/
Halloween Candy – https://www.celiac.ca/gluten-free-halloween-candy-list/
To Register for the CCA Virtual Conference – https://www.celiac.ca/news-events/national-conference/
To Receive CCA Publications – https://www.celiac.ca/get-involved/signup/
Scotiabank Run – https://www.celiac.ca/news-events/national-conference/https://raceroster.com/events/2021/48139/2021-scotiabank-toronto-waterfront-marathon/pledge/team/325
Sue’s Websites and Social Media –
Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com
Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com
Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com
Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.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 –
Its difficult for me to imagine living with celiac disease and navigating the gluten free diet alone. Unfortunately, there are many people who are doing just that. I have lots of friends in the celiac/gluten free community that share my interest in new products, baking, upcoming research and regulations. I can’t imagine how someone can cope well if they are celiac, or eating a gluten free diet for other health reasons and don’t have a supportive community around them.
Facebook and other social media is a good start, at least you don’t feel like you’re the only one who is going through the day to day struggles. As we all know, the internet is peppered with misinformation when it comes to the gluten free diet, and we’ve all heard the term – you don’t know what you don’t know. A trusted community can give us trusted information, or be prepared to help you find the correct answers. That’s where the CCA comes in.
I know, from having worked as a volunteer with the CCA for many years that everything on their website is vetted by professionals who know the facts. The Professional Advisory Council (Nicole referred to the PAC) is made up of highly qualified and respected individuals with a particular interest in celiac disease and the gluten free diet. Sometimes it can seem to take so long to produce a statement or educational pamphlet, but that’s because it goes back and forth among the members of the Council, until everyone is ready to sign off. The internet certainly doesn’t work that way.
The CCA has always produced newsletters, but lately the information is being better organized to be more topical – just what you need to know when you need to know it. I’ve been on the CCA email list for so long, I admit I take for granted the information I get in my inbox. Much of it is updates on information I was aware of, new recipes, events or research. I’ve never felt alone as a celiac. Receiving timely information on topics I need to know about assures me I’m part of a generous community who is going through the same things I’m going through. If you do not already receive the email updates and publications from the CCA, I encourage you to signup. I bet you’ll learn something!