<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> In December, a celiac subscriber mentioned that he regularly cheated with the gluten-free diet even though he had definitely been diagnosed with a biopsy. He thought he might not cheat if he had more severe consequences. This scenario struck a chord in me as a celiac and leader of a support group. I too am not terribly sensitive if I get some inadvertent gluten; however, I NEVER willingly or knowingly cheat on the diet. I do remember how sick I was the year before I was diagnosed and I never want to feel that way again. My primary symptoms as a sick celiac were severe diarrhea (and then constipation) resulting in weakness and fatigue, and severe anemia. I find in our chapter that members who are self-diagnosed are more apt to cheat. However, most people who have been told by a gastroenterologist that they have the serious chonic Celiac Disease try very hard and do very well with the diet. Also, I myself have read and heard many times about the consequences of cheating: (1) possible inability to regenerate villi after constant bombardment of gluten, which might reduce the area of absorption of nutrients, (2) the real possibility of developing lymphoma because any chronic irritation/inflammation may cause a cancer, and (3) the possibility of developing osteoporosis because damaging the villi also damages the ability to absorb nutrients properly (including calcium necessary for building and strengthening bones. I look at food in a new light now: gluten-containing foods do not appeal to me as much any longer. I believe the keys to staying on a gluten-free diet are (1) advance planning for meals and outings, and (2) education about the disease and learning about acceptable products to get variety into your diet. I was diagnosed in 1988 and have rarely had any flareups of digestive distress since. I wish you better luck and a more positive attitude with the diet in 1996. Your future health depends on a strict gluten-free diet! Janet Rinehart, Houston Celiac-Sprue Support Group.