What is Coeliac? (in 5 simple post-its) | Navigating Coeliac Disease in business
- Pip Rudhall Hyett
- Jun 10
- 2 min read
If someone on your team has Coeliac disease, they’re not just avoiding bread — and they’re definitely not just being annoyingly difficult.
It’s Coeliac Awareness Week, and I’ve got 5 super simple Post-it doodles to break it down.
Coeliac disease is different for every body, but a little understanding might help you or someone in your team.
As when you have a bit of knowledge of what’s actually happening inside the body - things like food anxiety at work, fatigue, or even avoiding shared lunches… they start to make sense.
Read below, or watch my full short video here on Instagram.
🧠 What’s really going on with Coeliac disease?
1. Gluten enters the gut
Gluten is the protein in barley, rye, oats, and wheat – B.R.O.W.
2. The immune system attacks
It reacts to gluten by damaging the gut — not helping you.
3. The gut lining is damaged
The little nutrient-absorbing villi? Flattened.
4. Nutrients stop being absorbed
Which can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, low iron, skin issues, poor growth - or nothing at all. Some people look completely fine but still have internal damage.
5. The only treatment? 100% gluten-free for life.
No crumbs. No cheats. No “just one bite.”
💼 Why it matters at work:
When someone brings their own lunch, asks what’s in the food or how it was prepared, or doesn’t eat at the morning tea — It’s not being difficult. It’s survival.
A little understanding goes a long way.
Coeliac disease is different for every body.
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Coeliac Awareness Week takes place from Monday 9th to Sunday 15th June 2025.
Come along, keep an eye out for the first video on my Social Profiles @RudhallHyett — you might learn something helpful for your team.
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