Navigating life with food intolerances can be challenging, but for Sanja, it has become an opportunity to inspire and educate others. She has faced the difficulties of non-celiac gluten sensitivity along with several other food intolerances—struggling, like many, to get a proper diagnosis. But instead of letting these challenges define her, Sanja embraced them.
Now, she shares her passion for delicious, intolerance-friendly meals on Instagram and Facebook, proving that restricted diets don’t have to mean boring food. Her mantra? Good food = good mood. As a teacher, it’s only natural that she uses her experiences to help others on their food journey.
Question: How old were you when you found out you had non-celiac gluten sensitivity? How did you get diagnosed?
Answer: "Ever since I was a child, I had 'tiny' health issues. Skin rashes, ear infections, sweats, pale skin, fainting, kidney problems, spring allergies, nickel allergy, coughs, early period and heavy bleeds, nosebleeds, bladder infections, brittle nails, dry skin around the eyes, dizziness, gum bleeds, stomach pain, bloating, infertility and finally early menopause…My problems changed through the years and got bigger.
I got the diagnosis in 2017. It was a very long and exhausting journey because everyone thought I was “crazy” and imagining things. I was diagnosed with endometriosis somewhere in 2007 and started my own research about food and my illness after my third surgery in 2011. I read hundreds of articles/research written by American doctors who made studies on endometriosis and found out that 70% of women with endo had celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It was difficult to get to the best doctor in Zagreb, and when I finally got there, I cried for about 10 minutes before I started to talk. Dr. Silvija Čukovic-Čavka was the first doctor who listened to me."
Question: Do any of your family members have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity?
Answer: "My niece was diagnosed with celiac at the age of nine, and I was the one who kept telling my sister her daughter might have it."
Question: What do you find to be the hardest part of living with gluten sensitivity?
Answer: "I mustn’t eat gluten, eggs, dairy, celery, avocado, and soy products.
And they are EVERYWHERE. The most difficult thing is preparing every meal every day when you come home from work and you are exhausted. I am a teacher and it is a very challenging work these days. On the other hand, I get to know almost EVERY detail about the plate I create and the final result ALWAYS makes me happy. This is the reason I started my own food blog - to make other people feel happy about the food they prepare on their own, too."
Question: Are there any positives that you feel came from your diagnosis?
Answer: "Yes, I am very proud of my discipline. Proud of the fact that I can resist all the delicious food when I travel somewhere or when I visit someone. It is hard, and not everyone can do this.
I also know what is on my plate and read every food label in stores for the ingredients. I eat healthier than most of the people nowadays."
Question: Do you know anyone else with celiac or non-celiac sensitivity?
Answer: "Yes - my niece, an ex-colleague of mine, and three of my students at school."
Eating out in Croatia
Question: How knowledgeable is the food industry regarding gluten-related issues (sensitivities, allergies, or Celiac disease)?
Answer: "Not very knowledgeable. In the last few years, there are more and more gluten-free products, but my problem is bigger because I have other food issues and I also do not eat meat anymore. So, I am very limited when it comes to industrial food products. Luckily, there are enough imported vegan and gluten-free products." Sanja explains that although she often looks for vegan food she is not vegan as she does enjoy fish on occasion.
Question: Are the menus clearly marked for allergens and gluten-free food?
Answer: "I rarely go out to restaurants because there are only two to three places for me to eat near the place I live in Croatia. I sometimes eat in restaurants that are not gluten-free, and they usually do not have clearly marked allergens, but I talk to the waiters or waitresses, and they check with the chef. But there is always cross-contamination, and I often get rashes or pain in my stomach."
Question: When you go out to eat at a restaurant, what can you order?
Answer: "I mostly eat cooked potatoes or steamed veggies with a bowl of salad when I eat out in gluten places. Sometimes, I ask them to prepare fish on a clean pan with no traces of gluten, but I can’t tell for sure if it was prepared like I asked them to. I also ask them to use only salt and olive oil during preparation, and very often when I get the plate, I can see black pepper on it… And they are not aware of what the traces of gluten in spices can cause. Most of the time when I eat out, it is not in Croatia but in Slovenia. They have a 100% gluten-free restaurant, and I feel great there. It is only 45 minutes away from my home. They have desserts, pizzas, burgers, and also lighter and healthier meals. The capital of Croatia is also about 45 minutes away from my home, and I can have a safe gluten-free meal in one pastry, two brunch bars, and one extra expensive restaurant."
Question: What is the easiest/hardest about eating out?
Answer: "The prices. Everything is very expensive. I can pay for it, but sometimes I ask myself:
Do you really want to pay 8€ for a small sandwich? Or 7€ for two scoops of ice cream? Two tiny scoops…I feel like nothing is easy. If I can’t find anything in a new city, I buy fruit or gluten-free snacks in a grocery store. I get wings when I come to other European cities because there are more options there."
Question: How common are Celiac/gluten-free dietary restrictions in Croatia?
Answer: "I can’t say. It is still an illness that not many doctors are familiar with. Gynecologists, for example, never told me that I should change my eating habits because of my endometriosis.
This is why the process of getting the diagnosis is very long and tiring. No one takes you seriously. Everyone thinks that if you are eating gluten-free, you are doing it because it is fashionable and modern."
Question: Can you share pictures of your favorite dishes and/or restaurants?
Answer: "One of my favourite gluten-free places in Zagreb is Melt. It is a brunch bar, and the kitchen is open only until 5 pm. They are in the process of changing their address at the moment, and I can’t wait to go there! I hope they will have more vegan options."
Sanja shared several photos of traditional Croatian dishes, each highlighting the rich culinary heritage of different regions of her country. Her photos capture the diversity of Croatian cuisine—adapted to be intolerance-friendly without losing its authentic flavors.
Buying Gluten-Free Food
Question: Is it easy to find gluten-free options at the grocery store?
Answer: "To me, yes. I got used to it, and I always buy groceries at the same places."
Question: Are foods clearly marked gluten-free?
Answer: "Mostly, yes. There are gluten-free labels in every bigger store.
But many times, you can find something that they think is gluten-free only because it has a “sugar-free,” “integral” or a “light” label on it. They think that integral wheat cookies are gluten-free, too.
People who just got their diagnosis are totally lost! They do not know where to start."
Question: What would you say is your biggest struggle eating gluten-free in Croatia?
Answer: "People around me who think that I am gluten-free because it is trendy."
Question: Is eating gluten-free more expensive in Croatia?
Answer: "Everything is expensive in Croatia! Gluten-free is also very expensive. For example, GF free flour is around 8€ per 1 kg. I am lucky because my niece gets 10 kg monthly on prescription, so I get 2-3 from her. Luckily, I do not eat bread every day, and this is enough for me."
Question: Does the government help with the expense of gluten-free food?
Answer: "No. You get GF flour on prescription, 10 kg a month. But ONLY if you are celiac."
Medication
Question: Do you have to worry about gluten in your over-the-counter or prescribed medication?
Answer: "Yes. I have to Google most of the time. Once, a gastrointestinal doctor told me that all medications are gluten-free!" 😂
Travel in Croatia
Question: If someone was coming to Croatia for the first time, what would you say are the “must-see” spots?
Answer: "My country is the most beautiful one I have seen so far. Istria is one the most beautiful parts if you ask me."
"I live in the northwest part of Croatia in a region called Hrvatsko Zagorje. It is also magical, very green, and hilly.
Dalmatia and the islands of Dalmatia are also extraordinary because of the sea with clear and blue/turquoise water.
Over 15 million visitors come every year to enjoy the beaches, the islands, historic cities, and nature. For a country with a population under 4 million, that’s an awful lot of visitors!
I would recommend Dubrovnik, National Park Brijuni, Opatija, Plitvice Lakes, Rovinj, the island of Vis, the island of Hvar, Istria region, Lastovo island, Hrvatsko Zagorje region, Cres island, Zadar, Šibenik, Zagreb."
Final Thoughts
Sanja’s story resonates with me—not only are we both educators, but we also experienced the struggle of getting a diagnosis, juggling other food sensitivities, and the overwhelming reality of having to prepare nearly every meal from scratch. As she pointed out, additional food restrictions make eating out even more complicated, and finding truly safe gluten-free options is already a challenge.
It seems that, whether in Croatia or the United States, many people still view gluten-free eating as a trend rather than a medical necessity. This lack of understanding makes it even harder to find safe food, especially when restaurant staff don’t recognize the seriousness of cross-contamination. Conducting these interviews has shown me that, no matter where we live, we are facing many of the same struggles—especially the ongoing need for better education and awareness. We must continue to spread awareness and educate those around us.
Thank you, Sanja, for allowing me to share your story, learn more about your beautiful country, and for inspiring us to stay creative and positive in our life long journey living gluten-free. Your passion and resilience remind us that good food truly leads to a good mood!
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