Gluten the enemy for those with celiac disease

F or about 2 million Americans, the bread basket used to be filled with a tasteless, brick-like loaf that crumbled when sliced.

That was the bleak world of food Pat Minnigh, 55, of Gambrills, found three years ago when she was diagnosed with celiac disease, or an intolerance to a wheat protein called gluten.

Her doctor simply told her, "Eat a gluten-free diet."

She soon learned this meant more than just giving up wheat bread, cakes and cookies.

"Gluten is in countless products you would never suspect of causing a problem - such as spaghetti sauce, medicine and toothpaste," she said. "Even lipsticks often contain...