ABOUT US
Celiac disease is serious. Living with it shouldn't be lonely.
The Celiac Association Lebanon (CAL) helps people across Lebanon get diagnosed, eat safely and find a community that understands. Everything we share is written for Lebanese kitchens, Lebanese menus and Lebanese families.
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We educate
Clear, medically reviewed information in Arabic and English, from symptoms and testing to reading a label in a Lebanese supermarket.
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We support
A community of patients, parents and professionals who share recipes, safe places to eat and answers to the questions nobody else takes seriously.
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We advocate
We work with restaurants, schools and decision makers so that a safe gluten-free meal is something people can expect, not something they have to beg for.
- 1,500+ community members in Lebanon
- [00] partner restaurants and shops
- 13 awareness events held
MEMBER QR CARD
One scan. Safer, easier, cheaper gluten-free living.
Your CAL card links you to restaurants, bakeries and shops that take gluten-free seriously. Show it at a partner location, scan, and your member discount unlocks.
- Member discountsSavings at partner restaurants, bakeries and shops.
- Places you can trustEvery partner has agreed to follow CAL's cross-contact guidelines.
- Supports CAL's workEvery member helps us reach more undiagnosed people.
Where your card works
Own a restaurant, bakery or shop? Become a CAL partner
ABOUT CELIAC DISEASE
Not an allergy. Not a trend. An autoimmune disease.
When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, a protein in wheat, barley and rye, their immune system attacks their own small intestine. Over time this damages the villi, the tiny finger-like structures that absorb nutrients, and can lead to malnutrition and many other complications.
It is genetic, so it runs in families. People don't grow out of it and there is no cure. The treatment is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet, and with it the intestine can heal.
- 1 in 100 people worldwide have celiac disease
- Up to 80% of cases are still undiagnosed
- 1 in 10 parents, siblings and children of someone with celiac are also at risk
- 6-24 months for the intestine to heal on a strict gluten-free diet
It's not only the stomach
Celiac looks different in every person, and some people have no symptoms at all. Many people in Lebanon are diagnosed late because they only knew about the digestive signs.
Digestive signs
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Bloating and gas after eating
- Stomach pain and cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
Signs beyond digestion, often missed
- Constant tiredness and brain fog
- Anemia that doesn't respond to iron
- Bone pain or weak bones when young
- Itchy, blistering skin rash
- Recurring mouth ulcers
- Joint pain, numbness or tingling
- Anxiety and low mood
- Unexplained infertility
- Slow growth in children
BEFORE YOU CHANGE YOUR DIET
Get tested first. Then go gluten-free.
Celiac antibodies disappear when gluten leaves the diet, so testing afterwards can give a false negative. If you are already gluten-free, ask a gastroenterologist about a gluten challenge before testing.
- Blood testChecks for celiac antibodies while you still eat gluten.
- Endoscopy and biopsyA gastroenterologist checks the intestine for damage.
- Follow-upAntibody levels fall once the diet is working.
Myths we hear all the time
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"A little gluten won't hurt."
A crumb, a shared knife or a shared fryer can cause damage, whether or not you feel it.
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"Just remove the bread and you'll be fine."
Gluten hides in za'atar mixes, spice blends, processed meats, stock cubes and even medications.
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"Children grow out of it."
Celiac is lifelong. Early diagnosis and a strict diet protect a child's growth and development.
Eating safely in Lebanon
Our guides cover the hidden gluten in Lebanese food, how to read a label in Arabic and English, and questions to ask at a restaurant.