A gluten-free support resource for South Africa

After decades of bad health, countless doctor appointments and never-ending pain … I was at the end of my rope.  In 2017 I landed up at the rooms of a nutrition specialist with the hope that weight-loss would alleviate my symptoms.  Well, Dr Hester Visagie quite literally saved my life!

At the ripe age of 42 I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  The genetic test was positive, my symptoms were chronic and finally I knew what was causing all my ailments.  Several months later I had a gastroscopy done, and my diagnosis was changed to Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity.  Either way, I can’t eat gluten.

For the first time in my life, I am not inflamed, I am not being “poisoned” by my food and life is certainly looking better.  All my strange aches and pains have disappeared, I am in the best health I have been and yes, I have lost a whole lot of weight!

My youngest daughter shares the same gene and tested positive for Celiac Disease on the blood test screen.  She was 10 years old when our gluten-free story began.  We are both so sensitive to gluten now  – after accidental ingestion, within an hour I am doubled over in pain, have a swollen mouth and am covered in a rash; my daughter immediately gets canker sores in her mouth and suffers with headaches thereafter (having said all of that – it must be noted that our symptoms have lessened in severity over the years).

My husband and I, along with our two teenage daughters, live in Roodepoort, Johannesburg.  Living a gluten-free life as a family certainly has its challenges.  That’s why bringing Celiac Safe to life has been a burning passion for me.  I have spent so much time in the supermarkets reading all the ingredient labels!  I feel the need to share this information and I hope you’ll tag along with me on this unique journey ♥