LAKE VILLA - Evie Amelio wants to get the word out.
The Antioch resident is co-coordinating an event called "Gluten Free and Loving Every Bite," which will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26, at Lakes Community High School. Christy Wickencamp, also an Antioch resident, is the other co-coordinator of the event.
It will be an informational event that focuses on the benefits of eliminating gluten from an everyday diet. The event also will inform people about celiac disease.
This is the first event Amelio has co-coordinated dealing with gluten. A Type I diabetic for 35 years, Amelio has organized Diabetes research fundraisers in the past.
"One of the biggest reasons for [organizing this event] is that more and more people are being diagnosed with gluten allergies and celiac disease," she said. "In the past, it was almost unheard of. Many people still have never heard of celiac disease or don't realize the things you can't eat and the adjustments that have to made to follow this diet."
Amelio said there are obvious foods one can not eat, such as pizza, bread, pasta, or anything made with rye, barley and oats.
For those wanting to lead a gluten free lifestyle, there are different foods and drinks, which will be represented at the event. Amelio said there will be businesses at the event who make gluten free items such as lasagna, pies and even cake. There will also be books on how to live a gluten-free lifestyle and some helpful information, such as what popular restaurants carry items that are gluten free.
"This event is being put together to inform people leading a gluten-free lifestyle that there are options, and we want to introduce some of those options to them," Amelio said.
Amelio said there will be several guest speakers at the event. Ruth Smith, the former nationwide president of the Celiac Sprue Association, has lived with celiac disease for more than 40 years.
"She knows so much about the disease, products, past research and which universities are doing large research projects," Amelio said. "It will be informational in whatever direction you look at the event."
Amelio said once a person gets diagnosed with celiac disease, he or she is not supposed to eat any gluten.
"Even a toast crumb can affect your body," she said. "If you don't follow the diet, it can lead to cancer after a period of time."
Amelio said gluten free diets can also positively affect children with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, expanding their attention span.
Besides this event, Amelio is also organizing a gluten-free group cruise on Carnival's Triumph to the eastern Caribbean . The cruise line offers a gluten-free menu, but Amelio said they will work with the group to expand the menu. The price is $561 per person, and payments can be made so that everyone can afford to go. There will be a booth about the cruise at the event on July 26.
Some of the symptoms of celiac disease are gas, bloating, nausea and weight loss, but Amelio said a lot of doctors don't know very much about it. She's had problems in the past with the disease, and the doctors originally couldn't figure out what was wrong.
"I had come down with severe symptoms three years ago," Amelio said. "I was so sick that I ended up in the hospital [twice] for four to six days. They kept feeding me toast and crackers - which is exactly what I was allergic to - making me worse."
Amelio then switched to a doctor in Kenosha, Wis. who correctly diagnosed her after performing a scope and a blood test.
"If you are having symptoms that you don't understand and you are not getting any solutions from the doctor you are seeing, go to a new doctor," Amelio said. "I can't stress that enough, because even many good doctors don't know much about celiac or gluten-free diets. We hope that this event provides much new information and hope of leading a normal life for those leading gluten free lives."
If you go
What: Gluten Free and Loving Every Bite
Where: Lakes Community High School, on the corner of Grass Lake Road and Deep Lake Road
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 26
Cost: $10 at the door, $7 if you pre-register. Children 10 and younger are free.
More information: There will be several booths displaying gluten-free food and drink items, as well as helpful information for those wishing to lead a gluten-free lifestyle. For more information about the event, call 847-489-7107.
