Think you'd like a pizza and beer, or nachos and beer? If you are celiac, think again. Celiacs can't eat or drink anything with wheat, rye, oats or barley. Malt, made from barley cancels out the beer, wheat cancels out the pizza and toppings, and may cancel out the nachos.

The Canadian Celiac Association defines celiac disease as a little recognized autoimmune disorder with a genetic component affecting as many as one in 133 Canadians. For these individuals, following a strict gluten free diet is the only treatment and the only solution to remaining healthy.

As Dr. Mohsin Rashid, Paediatric Gastroenterologist from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, pointed out in his 2008 presentation at the Canadian Celiac Association National Conference in Victoria BC, individuals with undiagnosed celiac disease, or those not following their diet after diagnosis, could suffer from anemia, chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, muscle pain and deterioration, arthritis, and a number of other symptoms including potentially life threatening diseases linked to the diminution of nutrients in the body, including major B vitamins, folic acid, iron, protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals essential for good health.