May is Celiac Awareness Month.
What is Celiac Disease?
The body reacts abnormally to gluten, a protein found in wheat and in certain other grains. The surface of the small intestine is then damaged, causing malabsorption of nutrients.
Symptoms are broad and might range from intestinal upset, to muscle weakness or panic attacks to name a few, and for that reason can be difficult to diagnose. This disease affects about one per cent of the population in Canada. Currently, the only treatment for Celiac Disease is to maintain a strict gluten-free diet.
Seeds Food Market in Cumberland will host an event this Saturday to share recipes, chat about the challenges of eating a gluten-free diet, and eat some terrific food samples.
“We were surprised by the number of our customers who requested information on gluten-free eating when we first opened, especially considering the size of our community,” says owner Tina Willard-Stepan. “Now it has become a bit of a specialty. Staff are frequently asked to take customers on a ‘gluten-free tour’ of the store.”
You can visit Seeds this Saturday to take such a tour, as well as taste some homemade treats. Local food manufacturer Abuelo’s Tortillas will even be on site making tortillas in the store.
Diet-specific recipes and gift baskets will also be up for grabs.
“I love to talk to customers to help them make the transition to a diet that helps them stay healthy,” says staffer Melissa Camp. “I look forward to sharing some of our goodies with the public!”
You could even plan to make a day of it, as Cumberland also boasts local restaurants like the Wandering Moose, Carmie’s Café and Rider’s Pizza, all of which serve gluten-free items.
This event is free and will happen at Seeds Food Market at 2733A Dunsmuir Ave. in Cumberland from noon to 4 on May 12.
For more information, call 250-336-0129 or check in with Seeds on Facebook at www.facebook.com/seedsfoodmarket.
— Seeds Food Market