Julie Roberts Sings the Praises of a Gluten-Free Diet After Celiac Diagnosis

Celiac.com 09/06/2023 - Country singer and songwriter Julie Roberts recently opened up about her harrowing battle with celiac disease. Talking with PEOPLE Magazine, she revealed the challenges she faced in a candid interview with PEOPLE magazine. Roberts, a hit singer known for songs like "Break Down Here," recounted her journey from the onset of symptoms to her eventual diagnosis and treatment.

Roberts first noticed something was amiss when she began experiencing severe nausea and vomiting after eating. Her condition deteriorated to the point where she had to call her mother in the middle of the night to rush her to the emergency room. Weighing just 99 pounds at the time, Roberts underwent a battery of tests.  Eventually she was diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten consumption that impairs food digestion due to the small intestine's hypersensitivity to gluten.

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Despite the relief of finally having a diagnosis, Roberts grappled with concerns that celiac disease might exacerbate her multiple sclerosis symptoms, with which she was diagnosed with in 2005. Even though her multiple sclerosis had been in remission, the stress of celiac disease triggered a relapse. Fearing a worsening of multiple sclerosis symptoms, Roberts consulted her neurologist and resumed multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapy to mitigate the impact of a potential celiac disease flare-up of her multiple sclerosis.

The impact of celiac disease extended beyond Roberts' health, affecting her relationship with her 2-year-old son, Jackson. The illness made it challenging for her to physically care for him, which deeply affected her. She recounted instances where she had to put him down to manage her symptoms, often feeling sorry for not being able to fully engage with him due to her condition.

Roberts has been managing celiac disease through a strict gluten-free diet, which has enabled her to regain 15 pounds and return to weightlifting at the gym. She expressed her relief that the healing process has commenced and that she feels great. Despite having to postpone shows due to her diagnosis, she is back on the road and was pleasantly surprised when her hit single "Break Down Here" achieved gold status during a show in Louisiana.

Reflecting on her journey, Roberts emphasized her excitement for the future. She plans to embark on a 20th-anniversary tour to commemorate her debut album's release and continues to draw inspiration from her music. While Jackson may not fully understand the significance of her achievements, she hopes that her experiences will inspire him to pursue his dreams, just as she has pursued hers in the face of adversity.

Read more in PEOPLE Magazine