Gluten-free at last

I just made (and devoured) the Goat Cheese Pizza with Rice Flour Crust in your article "With the Grains" [April, page 78]. Now, I can't wait to make it for my nonceliac friends. Articles about celiac disease help demystify this often misdiagnosed condition.

Suzanne Morris

via e-mail

Living with celiac disease requires more than a simple change in diet. You must eliminate anything containing wheat, rye, barley, and most oats. That includes many glues, Play-Doh and modeling clays, medicines, natural remedies, health and grooming aids (shampoos, conditioners, creams), as well as perfumes and makeup. In a huge move forward, the FDA has added wheat to the list of foods that must be included on the ingredients list, however this rule applies to neither barley nor rye. Additionally, most gluten-free foods are only available at health food stores or online, and they're often two to three times more expensive than regular food.

Fortunately, as more food and drug manufacturers, restaurants, and doctors recognize this disease, it will get easier to navigate. Until then, we need as much honesty about it as possible.

Michelle Shuey

Conneautville, Pennsylvania

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning