SyDnEy’S pAtH tO HEAltH

There’s More Than Granola at the Health Food Market

ydney Engel was missing music and gym last May—two classes she loves, but she loves Sydney’s Health Market just as much, and not because it’s her namesake.

“I want to be sure everyone who needs to knows about this does,” Sydney said. “This” is what Sydney’s Health Market would remedy for Sydney—Celiac disease.

From the time she was a baby, Sydney experienced symptoms that, after doctoring for 14 months, ended in a diagnosis of “lactose intolerant.” But after Stephanie Engel, Sydney’s mother, did not see improvement, they switched physicians, had a blood panel completed, did a biopsy of her small intestines, and the day after Sydney’s second birthday they re-diagnosed her with Celiac Disease.

According to the Mayo Clinic1, Celiac disease is a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is found in bread, pasta, cookies, pizza crust and many other foods containing wheat, barley or rye. If you have celiac disease and eat foods containing gluten, an immune reaction occurs in your small intestine, causing damage to the surface of your small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients.

Eventually, the decreased absorption of nutrients (malabsorption) that occurs with celiac disease can cause vitamin deficiencies that deprive your brain, peripheral nervous system, bones, liver and other organs of vital nourishment. This can lead to other illnesses and stunted growth in children.

No treatment can cure celiac disease. However, you can effectively manage celiac disease through changing your diet.

“At the time I was teaching preschool,” Stephanie Engel said. “It was so frustrating reading every label to make sure everything was gluten-free. The Red River Celiac Group was and is still a great resource.”

“Me, my cousin, grandma and my grandpa’s brother, we all got sick a lot,” Sydney said. Now nine years old, the mini health guru named off symptoms of the sickness: vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches.

“Not fun,” Sydney said. “But since we knew so many people with Celiac Disease, everybody else was there to help me out.” Within a few weeks of changing Sydney’s diet, there was a noticeable difference.

“I didn’t have so many stomachaches anymore,” Sydney said. “I could eat because the food was the right food for me.”

After a move from a small building in north Fargo to its current location at 810 30 Avenue South, Moorhead, Sydney’s Health Market also is thriving.

“We’ve had the market now for two and one-half years, and we focus on local products,” Stephanie said of her and her partner Darby Smith. “We want to support the local farmers and U.S.made foods.” Many products in Sydney’s Health Market are from within 30 miles of Fargo-Moorhead and include organic beef, honey, flour, eggs, and non-homogenized glass-bottled milk. Theirs is a no-nonsense claim of being a path to healthier living, and the proof is in Sydney and their many satisfied customers’ visits.

Their website, www. sydneyshealthmarket.com, tells the market’s tale: “We offer the best selection of Organic Foods, Gluten FreeAllergen Free Products, and Nutritional Supplements.”

Stephanie said that a typical meal once included hamburgers and hotdogs, plain, no buns. Now options include gluten-free buns. Sydney’s favorite bread is “Udi’s Bread.”

Udi’s also makes cinnamon rolls, pizza crusts, and granola. In fact, it’s not unusual to see Udi’s Blueberry or Lemon Streusel Muffins advertised on the site.

Sydney’s school, Reinertson Elementary, has three students who are on gluten-free diets, and they keep that in mind when preparing the school meals. Well aware of Sydney’s special diet needs, one her best friend’s mom’s purchased cupcake treats from Sydney’s Health Market for a school celebration.

“That little extra thing she did, it meant a lot to us,” Stephanie said.

“We are hoping our store is a good addition to the F-M area. There is so much more we can offer now with the extra space.”

People may wonder if the store’s namesake puts in her share of work.

“Oh yes, I mark product and stock shelves,” Sydney said. That’s between all the other favorite things she loves to do: sculpting, painting, and coloring.

Sydney’s Health Market is located on the southeast corner of I-94 (Exit 1A) and 8th Street South in the Southmoor shopping center in Moorhead. The store is open for business Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. Call them at 218.233.3310 or email info@sydneyshealthmarket.com.

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For more information about Celiac Disease visit the Red River Celiac Group at www.redriverceliac.org.