Celiac Diagnosis leads to Food Line

May 8, 2007 By DENISE I. O'NEAL for the Chicago Sun-Times

For many, Larry Schneider's story sounds like one of woe and despair. Instead, the upbeat entrepreneur has turned his misfortune into a tool to help others.

"God has put me here for a purpose," Schneider said.

For the balance of his life Schneider suffered from one ailment or another, and it wasn't until he was in his 60s that he discovered the source of his problems.

Schneider was diagnosed with celiac disease, a genetic disorder that affects people in various ways from weight loss and fatigue to nutrient deficiencies and loss of bone density.

The disorder can be controlled with something as simple as a change of diet. The problem for many, just like Schneider, is being properly diagnosed.

"My first reaction was, what in the world is that?" he said.

Once he learned more about the disease, Schneider took matters into his own hands. It is essential that people with celiac disease follow a strict diet that eliminates all gluten and wheat products. That's not as easy as it sounds, as both turn up in myriad processed foods.

So Schneider turned his diagnosis into a new venture. In 2005 Schneider, along with marketing and developing strategist Shari Cole and food scientist Karen Davidson, started Gluten Free & Fabulous LLC.

To date the line consists of three products. There's Karen's Krisps, which are sweet and savory crackers. A gluten-free macaroni and cheese is available, too, as is chocolate chip flavored Cookie Bites. Schneider's products carry the seal of recognition from Celiac Sprue Association/United States of America Inc., a member-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis worldwide through education, research and support.

Schneider's goal is to bring to market quality products and hopes to become the best manufacturer of gluten-free items.

"We are dedicated to quality and taste and have one thing in mind, creating gluten-free foods so fabulous that the entire family will want to eat them," he said.

The products are available at Sunset Foods; Garden Fresh, Northbrook; Gluten Free Store, Northbrook, and A Way of Life, Niles. For more information, visit www.glutenfreefabulous.com.