Hey readers! 🎉
Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! As we turn the page on another year, it's the perfect time to reflect on how far we've come in the celiac community and look ahead to what's next. This week brings a mix of inspiring personal stories, important research updates, and practical tips to help you start the year strong. Whether you're planning travel adventures, advocating for better labeling, or simply looking for new gluten-free finds, we've got you covered. Let's dive in!
🌟 New Year, New Advocacy Pushes
Top 10 Reasons to Require Gluten Labeling to Help Make America Healthy Again makes a compelling case for FDA action on gluten labeling as a major food allergen. – Celiac Journey
The article highlights that 87 countries already require gluten disclosure, while the U.S. only mandates wheat labeling. With 3.3 million Americans living with celiac disease, this feels like a sensible resolution for regulators to tackle in 2026.
Bruce Blakeman Supports MAHA Strategy Report details Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's call for federal rulemaking alongside young advocates Jax Bari and Jude Leibson. – Celiac Journey
"Eating without fear is our goal." – Jax Bari
🔬 Research Worth Knowing
Several studies published over the holiday break offer insights that could shape how we approach celiac care this year.
Risk of incident pancreatitis in patients with celiac disease found that celiac patients have a doubled risk of acute pancreatitis compared to matched controls, emphasizing the importance of monitoring beyond gut health. – Baishideng Publishing Group
Gluten's silent strike: Unmasking its impact on liver health reveals that 18-40% of patients with gluten sensitivity exhibit elevated liver enzymes, with a gluten-free diet normalizing levels in 75-90% of cases within one year. – Baishideng Publishing Group
Enterocyte proliferation as a new biomarker in potential coeliac disease suggests that Ki-67 expression may help predict which patients will progress to villous atrophy, potentially guiding earlier interventions. – Elsevier Ltd
Oral Manifestations In Children With Celiac Disease found dental enamel defects in nearly 64% of children with celiac disease, suggesting oral exams could serve as non-invasive screening tools. – S. Karger AG
👶 Pediatric Focus for the New Year
Only 1 in 10 children with high risk for celiac disease are being tested, according to a Beyond Celiac-funded study, with racial disparities showing non-Hispanic Black children least likely to receive screening. – Beyond Celiac
This finding is a sobering reminder that as we enter 2026, improving screening rates should be a priority for healthcare providers and families alike.
Celiac Disease in Children from Lurie Children's offers comprehensive guidance on diagnosis and management. – Lurie Children's
Gluten-Free Diet for Celiac Disease in Children explains the importance of nutritional supplements and regular monitoring. – NYU Langone
✈️ Travel Tips for 2026 Adventures
Planning your first trip of the new year? These resources will help you navigate gluten-free travel with confidence.
Gluten-free Travel Tips provides practical guidance on researching dining options, packing snacks, and communicating with restaurant staff. – New York Gastroenterology Associates
"Traveling with celiac disease requires extra effort, but with proper planning, you can enjoy new destinations without compromising your health."
Restaurant Cards Archive offers free printable gluten-free cards in 63 languages, a must-have for international travelers. – Celiac Travel
Traveling Abroad at 19: "I am Celiac" shares Gracie Cook's experience navigating Europe with celiac disease, proving that young travelers can explore confidently with the right preparation. – BeyondCeliac.org
Celiac Cruise partners with major cruise lines to create worry-free gluten-free vacation experiences. – Celiac Cruise
Celiac Travel Facebook Group connects over 51,000 members for travel tips and recommendations. – Celiac Travel
🍽️ Community Wins and Gluten-Free Finds
Saucin' It Up Fried Chicken in Modesto, CA opened their brick-and-mortar location in 2025, offering a fully gluten-free menu with 15 homemade sauces. – Bakedwhilebakingg on Reddit
The secret? Swapping all-purpose flour for rice flour to achieve that perfect crunch. A great destination to add to your 2026 food bucket list!
A celiac diagnosis doesn't mean missing out shares 20 creative, gluten-friendly meal ideas from 2025, proving that bold flavors and diverse cuisines are absolutely achievable. – Alextricity on Reddit
The gluten-free Cheez-Its excitement continues, with community members suggesting a mega thread to consolidate all the joy. – SquishyBeads on Reddit
🧪 Quick Research Bites
Efficacy of Large Language Models in Providing Patient Education found Gemini 2.0 outperformed other AI models for celiac information, though all showed concerning misinformation rates of 13-24%. – Clinical experts
Naturally gluten-free flours are commonly contaminated in Turkey, with unpackaged varieties showing 84.9% contamination rates. – Frontiers in Nutrition
A Predictive Model of Duodenal Atrophy suggests that high tTG levels may eliminate the need for diagnostic endoscopy in some adults. – World Journal of Gastroenterology
💪 Inspiring Stories
Fighting for awareness: Chris Hunt Skelley MBE shares his journey as a Paralympic judo champion managing celiac disease while competing at the elite level. – Coeliac UK
"The gluten free diet is the treatment for my condition. Yet it is expensive and hard to find in the shops, particularly for staples like bread."
Here's to a healthy, well-nourished 2026 for all of us in the celiac community!
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