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I’ve spent the past month contemplating where my journeys in gluten-free advocacy have take me (and us as a community) over the past year.
This time of reflection has helped me to see that we have made tremendous strides in getting the gluten-free lifestyle recognized in ways that have had a positive ripple effect.
It’s also made me rethink how we talk about and share the gluten-free lifestyle with those who are not yet educated on the matter or even those who don’t believe it’s necessary. I’ve considered how helpful our actions are and how clear we’ve been able to communicate a message that makes the public understand that living gluten-free is a real lifestyle change that has the power to positively affect many people out there beyond just those diagnosed with celiac disease.
And I’ve contemplated where we should go in the coming year because our work is not nearly done in gaining public awareness and support. I’ve thought long and hard over what actions and topics have been most fruitful in keeping the dialog going. At the end of the day, where we choose to go from here is entirely up to us and whom we choose to follow.
I recognize that I have become an advocate for a lifestyle that is what I live, breathe and sleep. I’ve been able to give a voice, and at times a face, to a community that’s not always taken seriously by even those who live under the same roof as many who are gluten-free. This led me to consider what leadership really means in order to forge a community that is strong and feels heard. That witnesses progress and is respected.
Gluten-Free Leadership & Advocacy: What Matters
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, leadership means…
lead·er·ship
: a position as a leader of a group, organization, etc.
: the time when a person holds the position of leader
: the power or ability to lead other people
And the meaning of advocacy is…
ad·vo·ca·cy
: the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal
: the act or process of advocating something
As I look around at various articles and blogs written on major news sites, high-profile gluten-free advocates webpages and lone blogger sites, I rarely see leadership or advocacy that progresses the conversation. There’s still so much confusion, bickering, back-biting, disagreeing, and in some respects, a total lack of education on what it really means to be gluten-free.
Sure, some “hot topics” or grossly unhealthy recipes advertised as healthy “because they are gluten-free” get you more web traffic, but they do little to advance our cause.
I would be lying to say that I’m not concerned with the public image of the gluten-free community. We probably get more back-handed comments and snickers than we do praise for helping support those to make needed change and feel better. Gluten-free needs a really good PR person or “fixer” (think an Olivia Pope for those Scandal fans out there) to re-direct the conversation away from the one emotion that I don’t think is being used to help us: anger.
Sure, using anger to galvanize an audience as they bond over shared frustrations and woes is certainly important (just as much as feeling and dealing with your anger about your diagnosis and lifestyle changes), but continually living in anger keeps the conversation stuck.
Anger is a powerful force when wielded productively. But when it’s not… when it’s used to nit-pick and bludgeon points to death that weren’t brought to the table in a positive way in the first place, the public stops listening. They don’t see gluten-free folks as needing help. Instead, they see us as whiny and annoying. I’ve read too many times this past month how the gluten-free diet is one of the most INSERT WORD (ie. annoying, stupid, lame, overrated, dumb) fads of 2013.
So as I’ve said, we’ve a ways to go.
Gluten-Free Success of 2013
Before we fixate solely on what’s not gone well, there were some successes this past year. To name a big one–
The FDA finally ruled on gluten-free labeling. Was it perfect? No. Was it a step in the right direction? Yes.
And positively channelled investigative energy got the mushroom industry to finally acknowledge that mushrooms could potentially be contaminated with gluten due to their growing process. Because of this article I wrote earlier this year, it forced the hand of an entire segment of the agriculture world to test and label their products (which are, by the way, gluten-free).
And whether you love him or hate him, Doctor Oz did a 12-minute segment (with yours truly… telling part of my journey to diagnosis with Dr. Amy Myers) on the issue of gluten sensitivity. If you don’t know, 12 minutes focused on this topic on a major nationally-aired TV show is huge in the world of TV.
Talking about this topic wasn’t a stunt by the show nor their producers… they wanted to shed light on a condition that still has a lot of grey areas and that doctors aren’t yet fully embracing. This scenario leaves folks like us to continue to struggle with health problems until more research surfaces (or a pill is developed by a drug company) that will validate non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
So wherever you stand, this segment on Doctor Oz is a big deal and I’m grateful that I was blessed with the opportunity to be a part of it.
And lastly, a huge thank you to all those who’ve joined the Gluten Free School Facebook community! We pass 19,000 fans in 2013… and I can’t wait to see how big this community and it’s voice grows in the next year.
Gluten-Free Leadership in 2014
It’s my intention to shed more light and gain us more respect in the public eye. To advocate for those who are newly diagnosed and even those who suspect they have a problem with gluten despite little support from anyone else. We all deserve a helping hand to get healthy and feel good.
Being sensitive to gluten, no matter where you fall on the spectrum, has massive health ramifications which is why education is key.
Let’s take the conversation out the gutter and away from spreading fear and lobbing angry blog posts at anyone who’ll listen on the web and make our words count.
This way of living has changed my life… your life… and others’ lives whom I and you know. There are so many people out there who simply want to feel good, play with their kids and eat well. It’s not too much to ask. If anything, I think it’s the bare minimum.
Tell me…
Leave a comment below and tell me how I can be a better advocate for you and the gluten-free community. I’m open to all sorts of ideas and suggestions! Are there events in your area that I could come and speak at? Local support groups that need a jolt of inspiration and enthusiasm? Are there certain aspects of this diet and lifestyle that you’d love to see covered? Are there recipes you’d love to see or someone you want to hear interviewed on my podcast?
I’m listening!
Wishing you a wonderful 2014…
I feel very lucky living in the New York area. There are many places at have GF menus and I have plenty of places to shop for my needs. It is wonderful to be in a progressive area. BUT, one of my friends lives down south and in her immediate area her resources are very limited. She has told me that I order to get the only health food store in the area to carry something she has to order a whole case! What? If she travels she can get stuff, but who has time to travel a couple of hours to buy basics? This is where e word needs to be spread, in more rural areas.
Yes please continue to get the word out. We have no one here in Mississippi. I’ve tried in the past to even get a short segment on our news several years ago when a doctor encouraged me to. The local girl who does the health segments told me that “there really isn’t anyone out there interested. No one has Celiac down here”. So I struggle alone because we can’t get the community of Celiacs to come together. Doctors won’t put us in touch with each other because of the “privacy act”. I’m so thankful I found Gluten Free School and my buddy became Joann. She’s a great encourager while Jennifer has taught me new things to help me personally on my journey.
Being from Louisiana we love our gumbo! Have you come up with a roux or gravy recipe using a gf flour???
Jennifer: People like you serve to lift and support the GF community, despite any negative press or comments the GF diet may receive from ignorant individuals. Your podcast and blog are valuable educational resources for proving the validity and importance of the GF diet. Thank you for all you do!
I loved your 12 minutes on Dr. Oz, it was very informative and positive. I was so proud for you. You are a great voice for the Gluten Free Community and I thank you for your advocacy. Keep up the fine work.
I have been eating gluten-free and no corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup since June 2013. I am truly eating things with no gluten because of stomach issues. My gastrologist put me on the Fod Map diet and it truly works for me. I have had stomach issues for the last 8 years and have had tried everything and nothing was working. So he said try not to eat gluten and other things with it in it. Though I thought is that what is casing me to be bloated and diarrhea constantly. I’ve tried everything what’s one more thing, so I tried it and so far it has worked for me. I have changed to gluten-free pasta’s, bread crumbs, snacks, and more fruits in my diet plus lean cuts of meats, etc. It wasn’t about the weight I had but how my stomach was feeling. I always said that I had this 6 month pregnancy stage stomach because that was how I felt. Now I don’t have that and I feel great!! I was weighing in at 167 when I started this and now I am down to 138 but like I said before it wasn’t because of weight, it was my stomach and how I felt. I couldn’t eat anything without feeling sick to my stomach all the time. So, please whatever you are doing keep doing it. It has helped me out a lot and continue to read on to see what else can help me. Thanks for being a support I can lean on in my time of need!!!!
Jenn, I am so proud of you to stand up to your mission in life, your passion and what has made you healthy. I look forward to you continuing to be the advocate and leader in GF information, recipes and encouragement! I have learned so much from being GF and have felt and seen the results thereof. Why should we who have gluten sensitivities or celiac disease be behind our doors in pain to just keep the world quiet? These conditions are real and is showing up more and more in many people. I can say that changing my way of eating has taken down the inflammation in my body from fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. It is no fun carrying pain and having to cancel plans because of what we are forced to eat in the restaurants or dinners we are invited to. So be bold, my friend, don’t give up! Thank you for all you do and may God bless your year 0f 2014 with more people to stand beside you and us! Hugs, Evie
Hi Jennifer,
I really enjoyed reading the comments on your site.
I have been gluten-free for over 25 years. My gluten journey has evolved into grain free journey, with the exception of brown rice. Rice is a part of my culture, it sits well with my countenance and I cannot give up my occasional brown rice. My ancestors lived to 100 or more and were and are very healthy as long as they are not on a western diet.. I give gluten free consultations to commercial business, and am trying to evolve their thinking into grain free. It is very difficult. It is amazing how the food industry, is so similar to the media. Restaurantuers have to please their customers. their customers are influenced by the food industry(media). It seems as though most people do not realize the benefits of a grain free diet, and have not been educated to do so. The food industry has done a great job at snowballing the public with refine substitutes for wheat. Some people are so happy to have mastered their gluten free cooking( with high glycemic indexes), and when you tell them about grains, they say: now- what no grains!
Sometimes I feel we are back where I was 25 years ago, now fighting a different battle. Back then, I only had rice as a substitute. I was not overweight, but when the refined substitutes hit the market, i started to gain. it took a few years, before I was aware of what was going on. Its only because I keep up on research that I discovered what was going on in my body, and changed it.
There is some much naturally delicious gluten free foods , available, but the Americanization of everyones diet, masks them.
I feel we can only pass along good information and let people make their own decisions. I think I might be becoming a little weary of the battle, but, I am a pacifist, and always believe in ones own right to decide.
The world is evolving, and staying conscious of change is essential. Battling with each other over what we believe is right, creates war. We should be able to present our case and express our beliefs and concerns as a means of communication of solid information, not to present swords.
Cia for now!