314: Celebrating Celiac Awareness Month: Real Talk on Safe & Inclusive Gluten-Free Dining
What does it really take to feel safe, heard, and included when you’re dining with celiac disease? In honor of Celiac Awareness Month, this episode of Eating at a Meeting brings real talk—and real solutions—to the table with two powerhouse advocates: Kayla King (@celiacwithkayla) and Gabby Hemond (@noglutengabby).
Kayla is a certified nutrition coach, Restaurant Growth Lead at Fig, and founder of the MyMeal app. Diagnosed at 8, she’s spent over 17 years navigating celiac disease and is now helping others eat confidently through honest restaurant reviews, advocacy for stricter labeling, and tools for safer dining.
Gabby hosts the Celiac Disease Foundation's Celiac Teen Talk, a virtual meet-up series for teens navigating the gluten-free lifestyle. Diagnosed in 2020, she’s built a vibrant community by sharing personal stories, travel tips, and practical advice to help others—especially young people—feel empowered and supported.
Together, we’ll explore the realities of eating out with celiac, the emotional and social impact of dietary restrictions, and how to create food and beverage experiences that are truly inclusive. From tech tools and teen talk to restaurant risks and labeling myths, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for anyone who wants to do gluten-free right.
Whether planning menus, supporting a loved one, or living gluten-free yourself, this episode will leave you better informed and more inspired.
Let’s celebrate Celiac Awareness Month by raising the bar for what gluten-free dining should be.
Heard on the Episode
"Mistakes happen. We live in a world with a lot of gluten. Your body will recover if it’s once in a while and it’s a little mistake."
~Kayla King
"Preparation is key to figuring out where you can go that’s safe—and also advocating for yourself and just having the confidence."
~Gabby
"If you just say 'I’m gluten free', you’re relying on the chef to understand all those pieces of cross contact. It’s your responsibility to think through those things."
~Kayla King
Key Topics Discussed
Celiac Experiences & Advocacy
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Navigating diagnosis from childhood through adulthood
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Effects on social life, mental health, and dining spontaneity
Questions to Ensure Gluten-Free Safety
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Strategies for communicating with chefs, managers, and servers
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Asking about fryers, prep areas, and cooking procedures
Travel & Global Dining
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Countries and cities with strong celiac awareness
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Approaches to eating safely abroad and finding trusted venues
Working with Foodservice & Events
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Challenges with buffets, weddings, and catered events
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Dealing with ambiguous labeling and legal language ("gluten friendly")
Community & Education
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Helping newly diagnosed individuals gain confidence
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Importance of improved diagnosis and dietitian support
Key Takeaways
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Self-Advocacy is Critical: Confidence and clear communication are vital in managing safe gluten-free dining, especially when procedures and understanding vary widely across venues.
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Ask Detailed Questions: Go beyond "Is this gluten-free?"—ask specifics about fryers, prep areas, and cross contact protocols to ensure true safety.
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Preparation & Flexibility: Research and planning build security, but adaptability when traveling or eating out helps maintain spontaneity and mental wellness.
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Need for Better Education: Systemic improvements—like including gluten as a top allergen and better foodservice/dietitian education—will make dining safer for everyone.
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Community Support Matters: Sharing stories and resources empowers others newly diagnosed, while robust online and local networks connect the celiac community.
Tips
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Plan Ahead: Use apps, reviews, and community recommendations when traveling or choosing restaurants.
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Practice Advocacy: Prepare a short, confident script or use “allergy cards” to clearly communicate your needs.
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Observe & Follow Up: Look for visible protocols (labels, allergy tags); always clarify by asking questions in different ways if needed.
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Educate & Engage: Don’t hesitate to politely educate staff—it creates safer experiences for all.
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Support Each Other: Share positive restaurant experiences/reviews and connect with advocacy groups for ongoing support.
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Gabby Hemond
Celiac Advocate
I’m Gabby, also known as No Gluten Gabby on social media! I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2020 and began sharing my journey on the gluten-free diet in 2021! Since then, I have been advocating for celiac disease and helping educate others on the gluten-free diet!
Kayla King
Kayla King has been a content creator and social media manager for 5+ years with over 95K followers across platforms. Kayla has built a loyal community through her platform @celiacwithkayla by sharing real, relatable content about living with celiac disease. She’s worked with dozens of brands in the food space—both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. She currently specializes in helping restaurants and CPG brands grow their social media.
