Gluten Free Spring Break Camp Leads to Local TV Kid Show

It's estimated that one in 105 people in the United States suffer from celiac disease and cannot tolerate the gluten found in the wheat, rye and barley they ingest.  Fit2cook4Kids will address this serious health problem during the school spring break, April 21 - 25, by focusing on gluten free food preparation on the URI Kingston campus at the Independence Square Foundation Cafe. 

Many people who suffer from celiac disease aren't aware of it because the symptoms go beyond digestive problems.  According to the Mao Clinic only  twenty percent of people with celiac disease have constipation, and 10 percent are obese.  They list the other signs and symptoms of celiac disease as:

·        Anemia, usually resulting from iron deficiency

·        Loss of bone density (osteoporosis) or softening of bone (osteomalacia)

·        Itchy, blistery skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)

·        Damage to dental enamel

·        Headaches and fatigue

·        Nervous system injury, including numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, and possible problems with balance

·        Joint pain

·        Reduced functioning of the spleen (hyposplenism)

·        Acid reflux and heartburn.

At Fit2cook4Kids camp, students 8 to 15 prepare food all morning and spend afternoons on fitness and playing the game  "Pressure Cooker©" where teams create original dishes to be judged on taste, presentation and creativity.  Winning teams get to demonstrate their creation on the Fit2cook4Kids TV show aired on local cable access.  Go to Fit2cook4Kids.org  or call 401-294-6800 to register, or for more information.  Limit of 15 students per session.