Finding a doctor who truly understands celiac disease can be challenging—many still rely on outdated info or dismiss lingering symptoms. Here's what's worked for me and others in the celiac community: 1. Start with a Gastroenterologist (GI) Specializing in Celiac Look for GIs affiliated with celiac research centers (e.g., Columbia University, Mayo Clinic, University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center). Ask if they follow updated guidelines (e.g., repeat endoscopy/biopsy when needed, monitor for refractory celiac, nutrient deficiencies). 2. Leverage Celiac Organizations Celiac Disease Foundation Beyond Celiac Coeliac UK (UK): Healthcare Professional Network 3. Ask Local Celiac Support Groups Facebook groups or Meetup.com chapters often share doctor recommendations (e.g., "Seattle Celiac Group"). Example: "My GI in Boston orders tTG-IgA + DGP-IgG and checks my villi healing progress yearly." 4. Red Flags to Avoid Doctors who say: "Just avoid gluten, you'll be fine" without follow-up testing. Those who dismiss non-GI symptoms (e.g., neuropathy, DH rash, fatigue). Pro Tip: For complex cases (e.g., refractory celiac), seek a university hospital celiac program.

A year later, I can say (1) I've sailed around in the BVIs now twice since my original posting on this subject and found several restaurants that were safe for me.  I was happy to see most of the larger restaurants had at least someone who could answer questions if no mention was made in the menus.  And (2) I was sad to see that none of the bars or restaurants in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, were safe for folks with celiac disease, especially since I used to live there quite a while back but had not yet been diagnosed. For the record, Road Town in Tortola had two places I could eat relatively safely in public: The Village Inn Marina restaurant, because the kitchen is outside and I could speak directly with the chef (servers aren't much help in knowing, but are helpful if you ask them to ask the chef), and Capriccio di Mare, which is a short hike from Village Cay.  Again, servers, not so much.  But the owner/manager is very visible and accessible and she's got celiac down to a tee.  She even makes sure there are gluten-free desserts available! As for the other British Virgins: Virgin Gorda: There's a place in Leverick Bay and another at Saba Rock resorts where we can eat safely.  I didn't make it down to Spanishtown on either trip due to weather.  Above The Baths was another place supposed to be another place, but I have that on hearsay from one of my non-celiac disease shipmates. Marina Cay: Lots of gluten-free options and I felt quite safe eating there. Jost Van Dyke: Foxy's had someone who knew what I could have safely, and they included most everything on the menu.  Some weren't, but the lady could tell me which. Norman Island: The Pirate's Bight restaurant is about as safe as it gets down there.  Servers are clued in, food was marked on the menu and plates when they came out.  Leave it to BVI to have the safest gluten-free restaurant on an unhabited island! No problem, mon. Anegada: We ate at the Lobster Trap and at Potter's.  Good stuff, Maynard! I have to say, most of the restaurants make real food rather than processed, out-of-the-packet/box food down there.  So as long as you stick to whole foods, you're more than likely fine.  I did use my GliadinX product the first time I went down there last November in all the places I ate ashore.  But not the second time in April.  Especially in the places where the locals remembered me.  I actually felt safer in most places down in the BVIs than most restaurants in my own hometown in New Hampshire.

My college aged step grand daughter, diagnosed with Celiacs 2 years ago, did get a reaction after kissing her new boyfriend. It was driving her nuts trying to figure it out until I asked her if she'd been kissing anybody. She went beet red. They did some testing of the situation, and thought that was the source.  For her, having him drink something and rinse out his mouth didn't do enough.  He started carrying a little toothbrush and toothpaste around with him.  I noticed he started kissing the back of her hand instead of her face from time to time, so dang cute.  She hasn't had the problem since, and still with that nice young man that was so considerate and willing to do a little change for her. 

Thanks, and I'm excited about it.  I just hope I get some interest in it here and quickly.  I'm planning on trying to go to contract soon with BVI Yacht Charters in Tortola, whom I've contracted with before.

I contacted nuts.com and they responded with: They are not shared on processed lines or contaminants. They are on an exclusively gluten free line.