Gluten Free Restaurants
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Celiac disease is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. The damage is due to a reaction to eating gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats.
The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown. The lining of the intestines contains areas called villi, which help absorb nutrients. When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products that contain gluten, their immune system reacts by damaging these villi. [PubMed health]
Gluten is a protein found in pasta, bread, beer, etc… It can be really hard to travel in this condition. Restaurants say that can accommodate any condition, but the wait staff usually thinks of it as another allergy, so the problem of cross-contamination (gluten-free food touching gluten) is usually underestimated.
For an updated list of gluten free restaurants in Sicily, check the database of AIC (Associazione Italiana Celiachia). Scroll down the page and select Sicily in the region field.
