Coeliac Disease & Gluten Free Myths: 5 Biggest Misconceptions Debunked | Gluten Free Thoughts

A Gluten Free Podcast
Episode 167

In this solo episode of A Gluten Free Podcast, I tackle five of the biggest myths surrounding coeliac disease and the gluten free diet. Despite growing awareness, there’s still a lot of misinformation out there that can make life harder for those with coeliac disease. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or just curious about what it really means to live gluten free, this episode will help separate fact from fiction. My goal is to help educate, spread awareness, and make gluten free life a little easier—one chat at a time. 

What I Cover in This Episode:

🔹 Reflecting on last week's guest episode with Celiac Cruise Founder, Maureen Basye 

🔹 Myth 1: Coeliac disease is an allergy or an intolerance
A lot of people mistakenly think coeliac disease is a food allergy or intolerance. It's a chronic autoimmune disease. I’ll explain why it's different from an allergy or gluten sensitivity, and why it requires strict lifelong adherence to a gluten free diet.

🔹 Myth 2: You can have just one bite or a little bit of gluten every now and then
Many people believe a small amount of gluten won’t do any harm. Even traces can cause damage to someone with coeliac disease. I’ll talk about the risks of cross-contamination, the importance of being strict with the gluten free diet, and why "just one bite" is never okay.

🔹 Myth 3: You grow out of coeliac disease
Unlike some childhood allergies, coeliac disease is lifelong. I’ll dive into why this myth exists and what happens if someone with coeliac disease reintroduces gluten into their diet. 

🔹 Myth 4: People with coeliac disease just have gut symptoms
Coeliac disease isn’t just about digestive issues—it can impact the entire body. There's around 250-300 known symptoms - from brain fog, anaemia, skin conditions, osteoporosis to infertility and miscarriage. I’ll discuss some of the lesser-known symptoms and how they can affect everyday life.

🔹 Myth 5: Coeliac disease is just about going gluten-free
While avoiding gluten is essential, managing coeliac disease is about way more than "just going gluten free". I’ll talk about the importance of follow-up care, mental and physical health impacts and how our lives change in a profound way one we are diagnosed with coeliac disease. 

🔹 Teasing next week's guest  

Why This Matters:

Misinformation about coeliac disease can lead to confusion, stigma, and even accidental gluten exposure. By debunking these myths, we can help create a more understanding and supportive gluten free community. Whether you're advocating for yourself, a loved one, or just looking to learn more, this episode is for you.

Resources Mentioned:

📌 Coeliac Australia advice on diagnosis and follow up care 
📌 Join our gluten free family 

Let’s Connect!

💬 Have a gluten free myth that frustrates you? Share it with me on Instagram @a.gffamily or in our

MEET UP TIME!

We've teamed up with Amelia of Social Coeliac Sydney to bring you a meetup at the Sydney Gluten Free Expo on Saturday 16th August. Looking forward to seeing you there gluten free fam.

Follow Social Coeliac Sydney on Instagram 

Meet up details for Sydney Gluten Free Expo 

Bask & Co make delicious gluten free porridge, granola and granola bars. Head to baskandco.com.au & use our code GFFAMILY to save 20% at checkout!