While the primary purpose of this blog is to share information and resources about celiac disease, we have been experimenting with subtle ways to earn enough income to offset the time we spend on this website. Since Google Ads are so ubiquitous online, that was obviously one of the first things we tried. However, Google Ads will no longer appear on this website after today because we do not agree with the advertisements that appear in the ads.
I believe in the power of effective, well-directed advertising. Unfortunately, we don’t think the ads Google serves to our site are well-directed, and I hope they are not effective. Many of the ads that were appearing on our site are for extreme weight-loss diets, weight-loss drugs, and other weight-loss related items. While the gluten-free diet may be the haute diet right now, this website is intended for those who have celiac disease, a serious medical condition where the only treatment is a gluten-free diet for life.
Severe weight-loss and gimmicky weight-loss programs help perpetuate personal image problems, low self esteem, and eating disorders. These programs and their advertisements seem to always say, “you can be thinner.” Well, we all can always be a lot of things, but you won’t be happy with how you look until you’re happy with yourself.
Google, I realize we weren’t raking in the AdSense dough, but you’ve lost us as a publisher.
Update: For those of you interested in learning more about the gluten-free diet, please read this excellent article, Gluten Free. Is it a new fad diet?, by Shawn Dolan PhD, RD, CSSD.
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Hi! I got here by googling for a gluten free chicken noodle soup. Our 26 year old daughter was recently tested for allergies. Her skin was so broken up by her severe eczema that they could not test for everything, but they found she is severely allergic to wheat, soy, and peanuts. She is not celiac, but for her health, needs to get used to eliminating these foods from her diet. She is having some problems staying away from wheat, and her latest backslide caused hives as well as a flare up of her eczema.
Anyway, last night, when I asked her what kind of soup she wants me to make Christmas Eve, she requested chicken noodle, then made a face that indicated she was remembering she can’t have it. I found some rice fettuccine, and am thankful for the recipe here. I think I’ll put some chicken in it, though.
I wanted to comment here, to praise you for taking the ads off and then stating why. Kudos!
Sue
Thank you for your comment, Sue. We really appreciate your support! Good luck to you and your daughter. Crystal was 26 when she was diagnosed with celiac disease as well, so we understand how difficult 20-something diagnoses can be.
I commend you for taking action against having dieting banners, from google ads, on your website. Kudos.
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