DECATUR, Ill. — While many people choose to eat gluten-free foods, only 1% of the population have a confirmed celiac disease diagnosis. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of a gluten-free lifestyle? Find out at a free upcoming workshop presented by University of Illinois Extension.
Gluten-free: Facts and Fads will be at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 10 at the Weldon Public Library, 505 Maple St. Participants will learn about celiac disease, sources of gluten in foods, and tips for shopping, cooking and eating.
“Eating gluten-free is medically necessary for individuals with celiac disease,” says Nutrition and Wellness Educator Caitlin Mellendorf. “While many people eat gluten-free for other reasons, cutting out gluten-containing foods can mean missing out on important nutrients.”
The workshop is free but advanced registration is requested. Participants may call the library at 217-736-2215 or visit go.illinois.edu/Gluten by Jan. 8 to register. In case of inclement weather, an alternative date of Jan. 17 is scheduled for this event.
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact 217-877-6042. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.
About Extension
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state’s land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy. Learn more at extension.illinois.edu
–Maria Lightner, University of Illinois Extension
