Today we’d like to introduce you to Skylar Feldman.
Hi Skylar, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
At 18 years old my life took a turn. I was diagnosed with Celiac disease 7 days before my sophomore year at Penn State. I didn’t even know what this meant for my future or what I was allowed to eat from now on. I quickly removed gluten from my diet but beyond the bread, pizza and pasta, thought I was fine. Between educating myself, watching social media videos, sitting in info sessions and doing tons of research, I quickly learned that Celiac disease is so much more than just “removing gluten.” Celiac is a chronic autoimmune condition where eating gluten causes the immune system to damage the small intestine. For me, I needed to completely shift my diet and speak up for myself at restaurants, family dinners, events and anywhere else I may be. Four years after my initial diagnosis, I wanted to be a mentor for others and educate them on how to navigate their new gluten free lifestyle. Then came my account @gf.inthecity where I quickly began sharing restaurants, at home recipes and new gluten free snacks along with educating on the restaurants gluten free and cross contamination precautions. Now, just over a year later, I am approaching 3,000 followers on Instagram and 1,000 followers on TikTok.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning that living with Celiac disease is about so much more than simply avoiding gluten. Cross-contamination is a constant concern, and something as simple as eating at a restaurant can require a lot of extra research, questions and planning. In the beginning, I was often scared to speak up for myself. I didn’t want to feel like I was being difficult, asking too many questions or inconveniencing the people around me. I sometimes struggled with advocating for my needs and making sure my food was truly safe to eat. Over time, I realized that my health had to come first and there was nothing wrong with asking questions or making sure the proper precautions were being taken. I had to learn how to confidently explain Celiac disease, ask about ingredients and cross contamination and recognize that my safety was more important than feeling uncomfortable in the moment. It was a learning process that took time, patience, and a lot of self-education.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Through @gf.inthecity, I create lifestyle content focused on helping people with Celiac disease discover delicious food and feel more confident navigating life gluten free. I specialize in short form videos featuring restaurants I visit, where I share what I ordered, how the food tastes, and most importantly, the precautions the restaurant takes to prevent cross contamination. I want my content to go beyond simply showing people where to find gluten free food. I also want to help them understand whether a restaurant is knowledgeable about Celiac disease, what questions to ask, and what to look for when deciding where to eat. I share restaurant reviews, gluten free finds, snacks and at home food ideas, with a focus on making gluten-free living feel less overwhelming and more enjoyable. Having Celiac disease myself, I understand how intimidating it can be to eat out, especially when you are newly diagnosed and unsure what questions to ask. I bring that personal experience into every video, highlighting the details that someone with Celiac disease genuinely wants to know before visiting a restaurant. What I am most proud of is building a community where people can find both inspiration and practical information from someone who understands what they are going through. What sets me apart is that my content combines my love of food and discovering new restaurants with the perspective of someone who lives with Celiac disease every day. I know that finding a restaurant with gluten free options is not always enough. My goal is to make eating out feel less stressful, help people advocate for themselves, and show that living gluten free does not mean missing out on incredible food.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is the importance of advocating for myself. When I was first diagnosed with Celiac disease, I was nervous to ask questions at restaurants or speak up when I wasn’t confident that the proper precautions were being taken. I didn’t want to feel like I was inconveniencing anyone, but I quickly learned that my health has to come first. I’ve learned that asking questions, setting boundaries and making sure my needs are understood is nothing to feel guilty about. That lesson has not only made me more confident in navigating life with Celiac disease, but it has also inspired me to help others find their voice and feel empowered to advocate for themselves too.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @gf.inthecity
- TikTok: @gf.inthecity
- Other: BELI: @skylar_feldman
