Dietetics Meets Lived Experience – Penny Dellsperger on Coeliac Disease, Advocacy & Research

A Gluten Free PodcastEpisode 10On this episode of A Gluten Free Podcast, I’m joined by Penny Dellsperger, an accredited dietitian, Health Advocacy Officer at Coeliac Australia, and someone who also lives with coeliac disease herself. Penny brings a rare dual perspective — both professional and personal — to the world of gluten-free living, patient support, and cutting-edge research.We dive into Penny’s own coeliac diagnosis and how it shaped her career path in nutrition and dietetics. As someone who not only educates and advocates for people with coeliac disease but also manages the condition herself, Penny offers incredibly insightful advice on navigating the gluten-free diet with confidence and evidence-based guidance.We also explore her role at Coeliac Australia, where she’s deeply involved in advocacy, public education, and national projects that aim to improve the health outcomes of people living with coeliac disease. Penny unpacks some of the major research projects she's contributed to, including the Gluten Threshold Study, the role of oats in the gluten-free diet, and challenges around coeliac disease diagnosis in Australia.Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone with coeliac disease, or working in healthcare, this episode offers clear, science-backed information from someone who truly “gets it” from both sides.In this episode, we discuss:Penny’s personal journey with coeliac disease and diagnosisWhy she became a dietitian and how her diagnosis shaped her pathHer current role at Coeliac Australia and what it involvesAn overview of key research studies including the Gluten Threshold StudyThe controversy and science around oats and glutenChallenges in diagnosing coeliac disease in Australia todayAdvice for navigating the gluten-free diet with confidenceLinks & Resources:Coeliac AustraliaAbout Penny Dellsperger – Coeliac Australia TeamGluten Threshold StudyOats and the Gluten Free DietDiagnosing Coeliac DiseaseConnect with A Gluten Free Family: Instagram: @a.gffamily Email: [email protected]: I am not a medical professional. The information in this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider for medical advice tailored to your personal circumstances.Head to happytummies.com.au & use our code GFCHRISTMAS to save 20% off Free From Family Co everyday range! Valid from 8th Nov - 25th December, 2025.  Up to 25% discounts on Bask & Co products site-wide and with NO discount codes required! FREE shipping on orders over $99. Only while stocks last! Shop here🥣 Celiac Cruise - a 100% gluten free vacation cruise is setting sail on two Australian cruises in 2026: one to the South Pacific and the other to New Zealand. There'll of course be awesome 100% gluten free food onboard, heaps of fun stuff to do, educational talks and a community of people who understand each other. Buy your tickets here & see ya onboard gluten free fam! 

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