National Celiac Association

09/02/2026

Budget-Friendly Gluten-Free Chickpea & Spinach Stew

Looking for an easy, affordable gluten-free meal? This hearty chickpea and spinach stew comes together with simple pantry staples and plenty of flavor!

Ingredients:
• 1 Tbsp cooking oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tsp dried spices of your choice (oregano, basil, or Italian seasoning)
• 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed*
• ⅓ cup raisins, optional
• 8 oz fresh spinach, washed and drained, OR 8 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 (14 oz) can diced or crushed tomatoes
• ½ tsp salt

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until soft, about 8 minutes.
2. Add the spices, chickpeas, raisins (if using), and spinach. Cook for another minute.
3. Add the tomatoes and salt and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the tomato mixture has thickened slightly.

Make it your own:
Try adding 2 Tbsp of curry paste in place of the dried spices for a flavorful twist!

Serve with rice, gluten-free pasta, polenta, or chickpea flour pancakes.

*When cooking gluten-free, we recommend looking for legumes specifically labeled GF to help reduce the risk of cross-contact.

Want more budget-friendly gluten-free recipes?

Check out our Budget-Friendly Gluten-Free Recipe Book!

You can purchase a copy to have it mailed to you, or download the PDF for FREE.

https://nationalceliac.org/join/thrifty-gluten-free-cook-book/

08/31/2026

Celiac disease is recognized as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Because celiac disease is an impairment affecting the major life activity of eating and major bodily functions like the digestive, immune, and neurological systems, the ADA requires reasonable accommodations in many settings. This recognition helps protect access, safety, and inclusion throughout different stages of life.

This is something we have been posting more a lot, especially in the context of kids in school recently as we've been sending our kids back to school, but it does apply in various stages of life, NOT just for children.

We have built a new page on our website that includes resources and information about your rights under the ADA in different contexts including worker rights, student rights, senior rights, and other situation. Please visit the new page here: https://nationalceliac.org/disability

08/28/2026

Communication in regard to your child's gluten-free requirements is vital to them staying healthy and safe at school.

Celiac disease is considered a disability under several laws and regulations including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), therefore, schools are required to make appropriate accommodations for your child.

We have a free downloadable packet that covers important aspects of navigating the school environment such as 504 plans, meals at school, celebrations, and art classes, and provides tools to help you and your child advocate for their needs.

The packet also contains a sample letter to the teacher.

The packet is at nationalceliac.org/school!

08/27/2026

Back-to-school mornings call for a breakfast that is quick, easy, and delicious! Start the day with Canyon Gluten Free Bakehouse gluten-free baked goods for a simple meal the whole family can enjoy. Shop in store or online at our website canyonglutenfree.com!

08/27/2026

08/25/2026

Communicating with your child’s teacher is key to a safe school year. In this video, Valencia Robinson, a parent of 4 childen with celiac disease as well as a dedicated teacher herself, talks about the importance of that child-teacher relationship when it comes to advocating for celiac disease. Your kiddo should have a “safe person” at school, preferably someone in the classroom that he can talk to about his feelings and concerns with CeD. (This should be included in the 504 plan.) The teacher will be the main person implementing many of the accommodations listed in the 504 plan, for eample contacting you in advance of classroom celebrations, ensuring extra hand-washing, or cleaning work surfaces. Check out our ROCK Back-to-School Packet for a sample teacher letter to help you kick off the conversation. nationalceliac.org/bts

You can watch this whole webinar, entitled “Steps For a Successful Back to School Experience: 504 Plans and Advocating for Your Child” on our YouTube channel!

08/25/2026

As our celiac kids head back to school, it’s important to recognize that their teachers and other school adults can be some of their greatest allies for success.

Communicating with your child’s teacher is key to a safe school year. Schedule an unhurried time to talk about what celiac disease is, where gluten is found, how to prevent cross-contact, and what to do if your child accidentally ingests gluten.

Don’t forget to align on meal and snack routines! Your kiddo should have a “safe person” at school, preferably someone in the classroom whom they can talk to about their feelings and concerns related to celiac disease. (This should be included in the 504 plan.)

The teacher will be the main person implementing many of the accommodations listed in the 504 plan, such as contacting you in advance of classroom celebrations, ensuring extra hand-washing, and cleaning work surfaces.

Check out our ROCK Back-to-School Packet for a sample teacher letter to help you kick off the conversation: nationalceliac.org/bts

08/22/2026

What do celiac students do for field trips or when traveling for sporting events? Caroline Johnson, who at the time was a Division 1 distance runner at Lafayette University living with celiac disease, shared her experience managing the gluten-free diet while competing at the college level.

08/20/2026

It is very common that children struggle in social settings (as do adults), they do not like feeling different and often feel left out during situations involving food. In the early stages of life such as the preschool years, kids are usually pretty easy going and not so bothered about being different, but once they get into elementary school it is very common that these feelings increase. Educating your child on celiac disease (CeD) and the gluten-free (GF) diet and teaching them to advocate for themselves is key.

Here are some tips:

It’s ok to be different! We all know that kids want to fit in, especially older kids. Be sensitive to their needs, but at the same time reassure them that it is ok to be different.


Keep information age-appropriate.

Explain to your child in simple terms what CeD is and what happens when they eat gluten. Check out our Raising Our Celiac Kids page (https://nationalceliac.org/raising-our-celiac-kids-rock/) for simple explanations and our “I’m Hungry, What Can I Eat” (https://nationalceliac.org/im-hungry-what-can-i-eat/) section.

Explain that it is ok to ask questions and that their health is important; it is better to question than to get sick. To be as healthy as possible it is important to stay away from gluten, which will help their body grow strong.


Get them involved with the GF diet, the more involved they are the more accepting they usually become.

Let your child shop with you for food and help you read the label.

Let your child pick out favorite foods and snacks to bring to school.


Cook and bake with your child to get them involved with food and ingredients.

Suggestions for issues with school:

Get a 504 plan that outlines accommodations for CeD, such as meals, snacks, food in the curriculum etc. Have a process in place where you have to be notified in advance of any treats being brought into the classroom. Check out our ROCK School Packet (https://nationalceliac.org/school) for more info how to initiate and implement a 504 plan.

Some parents provide snacks and treats for school to keep for unplanned celebrations. However, keep in mind that all snacks and treats need to be stored properly to prevent cross-contact with gluten. Also, make sure that they are labeled clearly with your child’s name.

Visit the school to talk to teachers and school staff, communicate about any issues surrounding staying GF or feeling left out.

Assign a “safe person” at school, preferably someone in the classroom that he can talk to about his feelings and concerns with CeD. (This should be included in the 504 plan.)

Volunteer in the classroom and read a book about CeD to all the kids in class, so everyone can get more of an understanding of CeD and the GF diet.

Seek help from the school therapist or other therapist that specializes in children to provide strategies to cope with anxiety and feelings of being different.

Finally, reach out to our support network, sometimes it can be very helpful for children when they are able to connect with another child who also has CeD.

08/19/2026

We’re all about making back to school season a little more stress-free, starting with snack time!

Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers are crispy, satisfying, and perfect for pairing with hummus or Greek yogurt dip, whether it’s in the lunchbox or after school. A snack you can feel good about saying yes to, every time.

Find them via the link in Milton’s bio or grab them on Amazon! 🔗