Medical Conditions

Person seated at a café table rejecting a plate of toasted bread, indicating a gluten-free diet; a cup of coffee sits in front of them on a rustic wooden table. This is in a post about Illinois celiac disease training bill SB 1288.
Dietary Needs Medical Conditions May 26, 2025

Celiac Safety Gets a Boost: Illinois Senate Bill 1288 Heads to Governor’s Desk

Dietary Needs Medical Conditions May 26, 2025

Celiac Safety Gets a Boost: Illinois Senate Bill 1288 Heads to Governor’s Desk Celiac Disease Training Bill is A Big Win for Gluten-Free Diners During Celiac Disease Awareness Month Dining out with celiac disease shouldn’t be a gamble—and in Illinois, it may soon become a whole lot safer with a new celiac disease training bill. This May, during Celiac Disease Awareness Month, the Illinois General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1288—a powerful piece of legislation that will require all food handlers in the state to be trained on celiac disease and the safe preparation and handling of gluten-free food. Sponsored by…

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An iPad and iPhone on a table. On the iPad is a picture of two women who are on video screen. On the iPhone is the Eating at a Meeting podcast logo with Episode #174 How to Expand Your Food Choices When Living With Diabetes with Julie Cunningham.
Dietary Needs Medical Conditions Podcast January 24, 2023

Episode #174: How to Expand Your Food Choices When Living With Diabetes

Dietary Needs Medical Conditions Podcast January 24, 2023

Registered Dietician and Certified Diabetes Educator Julie Cunningham shares the main message she hopes people understand through her book “30 Days to Tame Type 2 Diabetes,” and how to help event attendees with diabetes — how about everyone — enjoy a meal without feeling deprived or worried.

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Low GI diet food with blood sugar testing equipment diabetes type 1
Medical Conditions November 26, 2019

Diabetes: Know Your Types

Medical Conditions November 26, 2019

While you may be covering the bases for attendees with Type 2 diabetes already by offering healthy food options, those with the Type 1 form of the disease may need a bit more in the way of accommodations.   Most of us have at least a passing knowledge of the most common form of diabetes, Type 2, in which the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin, or the person has developed insulin resistance. But Type 1, also known as Juvenile-onset diabetes, is generally much less well-known, with the possible exception of those who were fans of the Baby-Sitters Club young-adult series…

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Guide to Celiac Disease
Dietary Needs Medical Conditions April 28, 2017

Here’s An Important Guide to Celiac Disease

Dietary Needs Medical Conditions April 28, 2017

With the month of May approaching, it’s time to take a moment and focus on an auto-immune disorder that does not get much attention. This illness, while not always terminal, does change the everyday lives of those affected. That means Celiac affects the person afflicted as well as the expectation that loved ones, friends, schools, grocery stores, restaurants, workplaces, event planners and others will be involved. That’s because it is not the sole responsibility of the those with Celiac Disease to look out for their well-being and safety. Thank you for reading my guide to Celiac Disease and for sharing…

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Community Dietary Needs Food Service Medical Conditions Meetings & Events Religious Dietary Practices June 6, 2016

Ramadan Mubarak (Happy Ramadan), An Important Primer

Community Dietary Needs Food Service Medical Conditions Meetings & Events Religious Dietary Practices June 6, 2016

There are approximately 1.6 billion Muslims, 22% of the world’s population, which means Ramadan is a big part of many people’s lives, probably several people you know. In the meetings and events industry, it’s also a unique time because it directly involves the consumption or non-consumption of food.   What is Ramadan About? Broadly speaking, Ramadan is a month-long way to cultivate self-discipline, a sort of spiritual detox, that brings about good habits of worship and day-to-day practices to be carried out throughout the year. “The fast is performed to learn discipline, self-restraint, and generosity, while observing God’s commandments,” according…

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Medical Conditions May 25, 2016

6 Celiac Disease Myths for Celiac Awareness Month

Medical Conditions May 25, 2016

There has been an incredible public movement toward gluten free foods, gluten free recipes, and gluten-free options at restaurants. Yet, even with all this gluten-free talk, lifestyle changes, and diet restrictions, there are still myths that are very commonplace. [heading size=”24″]Myth 1: Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity Are the Same Things[/heading] Not even close. Celiac Disease isn’t an allergy to gluten as many people often mistake. It is an actual autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) causes damage to the small intestine. An estimated 1 in every 100 people has celiac…

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Breakfast Options For Attendees with Celiac Disease
Medical Conditions May 17, 2016

6 Breakfast Options For Attendees with Celiac Disease

Medical Conditions May 17, 2016

Breakfast can be one of the toughest meals for those on a gluten-free diet when attending meetings and events, especially when we order so many continental breakfasts that are loaded with pastries, bagels and muffins. With a few modifications, I think that breakfast options for attendees with celiac disease and other gluten sensitivities can be quite the opposite. Once you realize all the naturally gluten-free options that hotels and convention centers can offer, you can easily the possibilities you can offer your guests are endless! 1)        Juices and Smoothies. There are so many options. Some of my favorite come from…

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Dietary Needs Duty of Care Food Allergies Food Service Laws & Regulations Lifestyle Choices Medical Conditions Meetings & Events Religious Dietary Practices May 10, 2016

The Real Difference Between Dietary Choices & Dietary Needs

Dietary Needs Duty of Care Food Allergies Food Service Laws & Regulations Lifestyle Choices Medical Conditions Meetings & Events Religious Dietary Practices May 10, 2016

As the controversy and, let’s face it, confusion, rages on around the world here’s an easy primer on the why’s and woes of dietary choices and dietary needs. Let’s begin with an actual disease, Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease isn’t an allergy to gluten as many people often mistake. It is an actual autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) causes damage to the small intestine. An estimated 1 in every 100 people has celiac, worldwide and most are undiagnosed. Because this is an actual autoimmune disorder, a diagnosis will ensure opportunity for…

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