Celiac & Anxiety: Why Youâre Not Crazy â and What Actually Helps
Not every symptom of celiac disease shows up in your stomach â sometimes, it shows up in your mind.
In this episode, Lucia dives deep into the connection between celiac disease and anxiety â from the neurological link through the gut-brain axis to the emotional weight of managing a gluten-free life every single day.
She shares the latest research on gastrointestinal anxiety, her own story of discovering that anxiety was actually a symptom of gluten exposure, and the mindset shifts and systems that helped her finally feel calm again.
Whether youâve ever felt anxious after getting glutened, burned out from food vigilance, or just tired of feeling âdifferent,â this conversation will remind you that youâre not crazy â youâre human.
In this episode:
- How inflammation and nutrient deficiencies impact mood and anxiety
- The mental load of constant food vigilance and cross-contamination fears
- Tools, routines, and mindset shifts that make life with celiac feel lighter
- Why anxiety is a valid part of the celiac experience â and what actually helps
đŹ âIf youâve ever felt like your anxiety was all in your head, this episode will make you feel seen.â
đ§ Listen now to feel validated, grounded, and more at peace with your gluten-free life.
đ News of the Week
đ Gluten-Free Favorite of the Week
âąď¸ Timestamps:
00:43 â Welcome & Life Update
A quick catch-up from Lucia: Travel updates and podcast social media updates
02:51 â Todayâs Topic: Celiac & Anxiety
Introducing the two sides of anxiety with celiac: when itâs a neurological symptom vs. when itâs a result of living gluten-free.
04:32 â Celiac News of the Week
A new study on âgastrointestinal anxietyâ â what it means, how itâs measured, and why it finally validates what so many of us feel.
06:52 â Gluten Free Fav of the Week
Luciaâs latest obsession: Honey Stinger Gluten Free WafflesÂ
08:21 â Anxiety & Celiac Disease
Sharing more about the two sides of anxiety with celiac.Â
10:56 â The Gut-Brain Connection Explained
How inflammation and nutrient deficiencies affect serotonin, mood, and focus â and why anxiety can actually be a symptom of gluten exposure.
13:28 â My Overnight-Oats Story
The year I accidentally ate gluten every morning, what it did to my body and mind, and how I finally figured it out.
18:04 â The Emotional Side of Living Gluten-Free
Hypervigilance, cross-contamination fears, social stress, and the mental load of âgetting it right,â plus Lucia shares personal experiences on situations that cause her anxiety.Â
20:10â Why Anxiety Shows Up Differently for Everyone
From childhood embarrassment to adult hyper-awareness â and how identity plays into it all.
22:18â Fear of Trust
Common experiences that cause fear of cross contamination and lack of trust.
24:24â Catholic Gluten Free Host Story
Lucia shares her experience with receiving low gluten hosts in the Catholic Church as a child.
25:37 â Identity Shift with Celiac
How having celiac disease can affect your identity.Â
27:08 â Research on Celiac & Anxiety
Recent research studies on anxiety in patients with Celiac disease.
28:35 â Coping Strategies That Actually Help
Mindset shifts around relationships & eating out at restaurants that make managing celiac less overwhelming.
34:35 â Key Takeaways & Community
The gut-brain link is real, anxiety is valid, and there are ways to feel calm again.
â¨Letâs Connect
- Follow the podcast on Instagram: @celiacdiariespod
- Subscribe to the Podcast on YouTube: Celiac Diaries Podcast
- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: Lucia Cordaro
- Follow the podcast on TikTok: @celiacdiariespod
- Follow the Celiac Diaries Substack: Substack Page
Disclaimer
Iâm not a medical professional. Everything I share is based on my personal experiences living with celiac disease. Please consult your doctor for medical advice specific to your health.
music provided by epidemic sound.