I began getting an upset stomach a few days after going back to high school after summer vacation. At first I thought nothing of it. I had started cross country and was eating more than unusual.  Up to a few months ago, my diet was about 80% bread or bread-based products: dinner rolls, flour tortillas, chips, etc. I honestly thought I would die if I couldn't eat bread.

A few weeks into the new school year, I began getting terrible diarrhea almost every day, at the same time.  It began to get serious when it lasted for months and was inhibiting my running performance.  

I thought to try the gluten-free diet when my cousin Sarah,12, tested positive for celiac disease. My aunt and mom were also diagnosed with celiac. When my mom told me to try the gluten-free diet, I was kind of horrified. But after a few days, I started seeing dramatic improvement in my digestive health. I have now been gluten-free for 4 months and feel back to normal.

Note: It is recommended that you see a doctor and get tested for celiac disease before going gluten-free. For more information, see our section on Diagnosis & Treatment.