Catalin Varela
Hey! I’m Catalin Varela, Social Media Manager at Equal Eats. I’m responsible for bringing our message to life on social media and love using storytelling, creativity, and connection to engage with our community in a meaningful way.
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2016 after a year of debilitating illness. That life-changing experience led me to study Medical Anthropology, where I wrote my thesis on how different countries approach gluten-free living and the impact this has on quality of life for celiacs. My research and personal experience inspired me to move to Italy in 2020, and since then, I’ve made it my mission to make the world more accessible for people with celiac disease.
Before joining the Equal Eats team, I built my own platform, The Celiac in Italy, which has grown into the go-to resource for gluten-free travel in Italy. My background as a content creator and longtime member of the free-from community helps me bring an authentic, relatable voice to everything I do online. I’ve always been passionate about making the world feel more accessible—and social media has been such a powerful way to do that.
Today, I’m proud to be the leading voice on gluten-free travel in Italy. I collaborate with the Italian Celiac Association of Tuscany (AIC Toscana) to develop English resources for international travelers, and I’ve helped hundreds of celiacs navigate trips to Italy safely through my consultation services and travel guides. I also pioneered the field of celiac travel consulting—an industry that didn’t exist when I first started—and recently launched Celiacs in Europe, a growing platform connecting celiac travelers with local experts across the continent.
When I’m not creating content or helping others plan gluten-free adventures, you can find me on the road (I’ve visited 15 countries since my diagnosis!), flowing through a yoga class, curled up with a good book, or junk journaling as a way to unwind and get creative. I speak four languages, love connecting with people from all over the world, and feel incredibly lucky to work with a team that shares my values and vision.
You can find me online at:
Instagram: @celiacinitaly
Website: www.celiacinitaly.com
