April 2025 – A Canadian Celiac Blog

I love when I have recurring guests to catch us up on the podcast. Melissa Secord, the Executive Director of Celiac Canada is one of those treasured guests from many different episodes. You can find out more about our topics on Celiac Canada’s website celiac.ca.

With the election looming as I recorded with Melissa, she was able to tell me about the letter writing campaign CCA has instituted to send letters to each of the candidates in your electoral riding. This is amazing – all you have to do is fill in some identifying information and press submit and individual letters are sent on your behalf. CCA has crafted a letter explaining our concerns including the cost of gluten free food – our only medicine, tax relief in the form of a flat medical tax claim, and the impact of tariffs on our precious gluten free foods. I encourage you to submit a letter, it only takes a minute or so, to let your candidates know what is important to you.

Melissa gives us a sneak peek at the promotional campaign CCA is rolling out for May, Celiac Awareness month. You can find out more on the website regarding the campaign events and light ups across the country.

I was honoured to be awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in a ceremony presented by Celiac Canada in mid-March. Melissa gives us some background on the awards, some of the recipients and the awards ceremonies that took place across Canada. Melissa herself received an award, which was well deserved. The ceremony was a great opportunity to meet up with people I had spoken with on the podcast, or remember from past in-person conferences – it was truly a memorable occasion.

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

It’s the beginning of April, which means that I again have the pleasure of speaking with Ellen Bayens of theceliacscene.com. On this podcast Ellen and I speak about a new study that looks at vitamin deficiencies found with celiac disease and the gluten free diet. We also talk about gluten free food insecurity and Celiac Canada’s efforts to assist.

Ellen posted on social media about a restaurant posting a sign saying they were not able to meet the needs of those requiring a strict gluten free diet or with a serious food allergy. There is a story here that resulted in the sign which Ellen explains, but she received many varied responses to this issue with this particular restaurant. She also tells us about a sushi restaurant near her that goes above and beyond to ensure that many of their meals are gluten free and celiac safe. Ellen and I do love a good news story.

The topic of Artificial Intelligence is one that stirs many emotions and can be controversial. Ellen has found a study that used AI to look over thousands of biopsy results taken during celiac diagnosis and AI was found to be very accurate in identifying CD. AI is currently used in cancer diagnosis. This study prompted some lively discussion but in the end we’re both on the same page that whatever helps in the diagnosis journey is a good thing.

I was recently honoured by Celiac Canada with the presentation of the King Charles III Coronation Medal. I explain more about the award and the truly personal nature of the honour. I will include a couple of photos on my blog acanadianceliacblog.com.

Managing Vitamin Deficiencies in Celiac Disease & the Gluten-Free Diet (3:15)
Silent Celiac Offers Professional Insight into Food Behaviours
Local Grocer Makes Takes Stand on US Produce
Restaurant’s Transparency Upsets Celiacs (22:02)
Local Japanese Restaurant Called ‘My Name …’ (36:54) Artificial Intelligence Able to Diagnose Celiac Disease in Seconds (49:20)