As more people are showing an interest in decreasing or completely eliminating gluten from their diets, businesses are working to accommodate this growing trend. Green Living asked our friends on Facebook to share their stories about living a gluten-free life. The responses we received were not just from those who have changed their eating habits, but from those whose eating habits have changed their lives—many have even started businesses inspired by their gluten-free experience. Here’s what they had to say:

I wanted to tell you my story about being gluten-free! Ever since I was young, I have always struggled with minor weight issues. I could never figure out the right diet combinations. I met my husband in 2005 while getting my bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and was instantly thrown into the vegetarian lifestyle, as he was raised a vegetarian. For about 7 years I lived as a vegetarian and compensated for the lack of meat with other wheat, soy, rice fillers. In 2012, I read the book Eat Right 4 Your Type, and it said since I am an O blood type that I should avoid eating gluten at all costs because I don’t digest them well. I decided to give it a try with fervor. I lost weight immediately! I now have also stopped eating most grains and dairy as well. I feel lighter, healthier, and have more energy. It’s a challenge having such a particular diet but I love it and am so happy I have my husband to support it. Being a blogger for Green Lifestyles TV, I’m always exposed to new and healthy ways to be gluten-free. This past weekend I was so pleased to be able to attend the Natural Products Expo West and learn about so many great gluten-free products. I love the organic, gluten-free, non-GMO lifestyle that I have chosen and hope it will help me live a happier life, longer.

Jessica | Blogger | Greenlifestyles.org

In response to your Facebook post, I do live a gluten-free lifestyle, not by choice, but by necessity. I have celiac disease and so does my 9-year-old daughter. We were both diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago. I personally had a number of mysterious ailments including migraines, infertility issues, upset stomach, and joint pain, to name just a few. My daughter’s growth had slowed and we became concerned. Now that we’ve been gluten-free, my daughter has blossomed into an outgoing young lady with confidence, and all of my problems nearly vanished. Two years ago I thought I felt OK, but I had nothing to compare it to. I figured this is what I’m supposed to feel like. I didn’t know how sick I was or how much better I could feel until gluten was removed completely from my diet. My favorite food was pizza and still is. I’ve found some great restaurants, like Picazzo’s, Buon Gusto, and NYPD, that prepare gluten-free pizzas. There are just too many great gluten-free restaurants to name.

Juli La Porte | President and Co-founder | CanIEatHere.com

Hi! I just saw your post on Facebook and wanted to share something new that we are doing for our community at the Gilbert Farmers Market. We have made Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan and Dairy-Free signs that go on our vendors’ tents, so it’s easy for our customers who have restrictions to shop the market. We would love to help get the word out to those who have restrictions to help make their daily lives easier.

Jessa Koppenhofer | Coordinator | Gilbert Farmers Market

After years of stomachaches, lethargy and bloating, I was diagnosed with celiac spur disease. Going on a gluten-free diet has literally saved my life. I was so sick, no doctor could figure out why. They took me off dairy and tried different medications, but nothing helped until they did an endoscopy and saw all the villa in my large intestine lying down. Malnutrition caused my constant fatigue; then all the food would get stuck in my colon, which caused the bloating. I felt pregnant all the time.

Being gluten-free was not easy in the beginning, seven years ago. Since that time, many new products have come out, restaurants now have gluten-free menus, and more people are cognizant of gluten intolerances. For some, it is a fad, a way they will lose weight; for me it is a way of life and the only way I will have life.

Sherie K. Smith | Green Living reader

Hi!  I’d like to tell you my story on how I have changed my eating habits for a better me.

My name is Mila Pierce and I had suffered long enough with lactose intolerance, gluten allergies, and the threat of Crohn’s disease that had taken the life of my beloved Grandpa George. About 3 years ago, I stumbled upon a raw and gluten-free cookbook one day and decided to change my diet for good. The result?  More energy, a 20-plus-pound weight loss, improved digestion, and the passion for clean cooking and helping others.

Although True Food Kitchen always hits the spot, dining out and grocery shopping are quite the challenge these days; that is why I decided to take matters into my own hands and create Raw Canyon Foods, an incomparable 100 percent raw, gluten-free and vegan granola product.  I plan to be in local farmers markets very soon and hopefully expand my line into more tempting treats for gluten-free nuts like me.

Mila Pierce | Director |Raw Canyon Foods