Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Bommarito.
Hi Sara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always considered myself somewhat of a “foodie.” I’ve always enjoyed the experience of trying a new restaurant with friends, exploring the menu, and soaking in the ambiance. I thought part of my life had ended when I was diagnosed with celiac disease in March of 2021. For those of you who are like me and have no idea what celiac disease is, it is an autoimmune disease where the consumption of gluten causes an immune response that attacks the small intestine. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems. Currently, the only treatment for the disease is – you guessed it – a strict gluten-free diet. I’m talking about not even a crumb of gluten. At first, I was upset, angry, and confused. But after accepting the reality, I decided to turn to social media to connect with others struggling with something similar. STL Gluten Free became my outlet and a way to connect with others in the community to share restaurants, recipes, and grocery finds. I quickly learned how incredible this local community is and how accommodating some of our local restaurants can be!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Adjusting to a strict gluten-free lifestyle has been challenging. When I was first diagnosed, I was very insecure. I felt like a burden, especially at social events and family gatherings. If I didn’t eat, I was questioned as to why. If I brought my food, I would be laughed at. Over time I have become much more comfortable with owning celiac and what it entails. And honestly, it’s fun to think of creative dishes to bring to gatherings I feel safe eating, and others enjoy too! As far as the day-to-day, it is always a learning lesson. I have made my fair share of mistakes. Getting too comfortable and skipping reading the label or reiterating to the server that your food needs to be cooked separately is easy. I’ve learned the hard way more times than I’d like to admit. But with this community, it has made every day a little easier. We can lean on each other for ideas and experiences and ultimately learn to love St. Louis and the fantastic offerings it provides for us.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
By day, I am in sales, but on the side, I love to run my STL Gluten Free page and stay up to date on the latest GF products, groceries & restaurants. I particularly love supporting the local St. Louis restaurants and highlighting their menu options on my feed. In doing so, I want to teach others in the community about places they can feel safe dining at and steer new loyal customers to these restaurants. I also love to give back however I am able. Last Thanksgiving, I did my first gluten-free food drive to help support families in the STL area who needed extra support around the holidays. I had so many people reach out to see how they can help. People donated money, dropped items at the food drive, and some even had Instacart deliver items directly to my house to support putting together family baskets during the holidays. I plan to turn this into an annual food drive, and I can’t wait to watch it grow for years to come!
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Overall in everyday life, I am a calculated risk-taker. I only take risks where I see it necessary. It helps you learn and grow. As it relates directly to gluten-free, I try not to take many risks. Sure, it is always a “risk” dining out at a restaurant that has any trace of gluten in their kitchen or trying food that isn’t labeled as certified gluten-free. But I have learned my lesson the hard way there, and it always seems to realign me to take the safe route versus the risky route.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/stlglutenfree/
- Email: stlglutenfree@gmail.com
