It is estimated that nearly one in every one hundred and thirty three Americans has gluten intolerance, or Celiac Disease. This means that all of these individuals will generally need to find an alternative diet from the majority of other people. They will not be able to ingest many of the grains that seem to fill most people’s plates and they will not find it as easy to grocery shop or dine out (though many of today’s chain restaurants are actually re-designing their menus to allow gluten free dining to occur). This means no traditional take out foods which contain all kinds of gluten – even many soy sauce manufacturers use a gluten product!

If you are one of the millions who have to restrict gluten intake, you can greatly benefit from a brief investigation of your surroundings in the search for gluten free products. The gluten free lifestyle in Denver is particularly wonderful, thanks in part to the dozens of smaller bakeries and restaurants catering to those with gluten issues. In fact, Denver is jokingly referred to as the gluten free “Mecca” by those who must always be on the lookout for this ingredient.

One of the main reasons it has earned this reputation has to do with the ever-popular “Deby’s Gluten Free Bakery and Café” which is located in a quiet part of the city. Here visitors from around the world make the journey to the eatery in order to enjoy everything from breads, muffins and cookies to ravioli, chicken nuggets and lasagna, and their brand new gluten free tempura dipped onion rings.  Visitors can sit down for an enormous breakfast or they can order some restaurant favorites to be shipped back to their hometown!

Of course the gluten free lifestyle in Denver is not limited to a single restaurant, and there is also the popular restaurant called “Lola”. Here visitors can select from a wide range of gluten free options; all of them a great opportunity for spicier southwestern based fare.

There is also the “Melting Pot”, which along with Deby’s are the two safest choices in the entire city because they offer an entirely gluten free menu. The Melting Pot specializes in fondue, and guests can partake of a three course meal all enjoyed from the end of a fondue fork! Seafood, bread and even fruit fill the plates and platters of this wildly unique experience.

Of course there are also some great support groups for those dealing with the limitations and frustrations of a gluten free diet, and the Denver area has several good options, including:

Denver Celiac Sprue Association (CSA)
Tel: (303) 238-5145

Denver Celiacs – Denver Metro Area
4617 S Joplin Way
Aurora, CO 80015
Tel: (303) 699-6170

There are also some great national associations that could also offer guidance on local groups, restaurants and even health professionals such as dieticians and homeopathic physicians that are all working to support those living gluten free in Denver. The national groups include:

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness
P.O. Box 544
Ambler, PA 19002
(215) 325-1306
www.CeliacCentral.org

“The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of celiac disease among the public and medical community. Founded in 2003, the foundation seeks to restore health and reclaim lives by working to promptly and correctly diagnose all Americans who have the condition. The foundation recently launched a national awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness and funding for celiac disease that will advance research, education and screening, and improve the quality of life for everyone affected by this autoimmune disease.”

Celiac Disease Foundation – National Celiac Disease Support Group

13251 Ventura Blvd., Suite 1
Studio City, CA, 91604-1838
Tel:  (818) 990-2354
www.celiac.org

The “Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) is a highly-regarded national organization recognized throughout the world. CDF strives to promote awareness and build a supportive community for patients, families and health care professionals. CDF is actively involved in advocating for patient concerns and networking with other national and international organizations.”

R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Celiac Kids) – National Celiac Disease Support Group

Raising Our Celiac Kids is a support group for parents, families and friends of kids with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. The groups are in the forms of local chapters around the country. “R.O.C.K. chapters have R.O.C.K. parties where kids enjoy gluten-free food and play, while the parents exchange new-product information, questions and concerns, and anything that they feel is pertinent. They may invite speakers (child psychologists, pediatricians, pediatric gastroenterologists, dietitians), and even provide entertainment (clowns, face painters, toys) for the kids.”

While there are many people who feel isolated and frustrated by their gluten intolerance, there are clearly many local and national groups working hard to make this lifestyle enjoyable, healthy and even fun. There will always be the need to double check ingredients and to ask servers at restaurants if a menu selection is safe, but more and more often, particularly in Denver, the gluten free lifestyle is becoming more “mainstream”.