Julia Giatrelis: Following a Passion from Undergrad, to Graduate Studies, and Beyond

Celiac disease is a chronic digestive and immune disorder that damages the small intestine and is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. The disease is triggered by eating foods containing gluten like wheat, barley, and rye. 

Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease is committing to a lifelong gluten-free diet. Even ingesting small amounts of gluten, like crumbs from a cutting board or toaster, can trigger small intestine damage. For those with celiac disease trying to maintain a gluten-free diet, finding safe foods can be a challenge - they must pay close attention to ingredient lists, may find themselves repeatedly explaining their condition, and can feel a sense of separation from those with no food restrictions.

Julia Giatrelis was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2019 after countless doctors visits, and discovered firsthand how challenging day-to-day life can be for someone with this disease.

"I had taken for granted the meaning of small moments throughout the day that centered on food," Julia shares. "I developed new insecurities; the embarrassment of explaining my condition overwhelmed me. I also felt a creeping sense of alienation from my own culture; food is my family's way of infusing our Italian and Greek immigrant past with our current American lifestyle." 

In response to her own challenges with celiac disease and maintaining a gluten-free diet, Julia launched GlutenFreedomForAll just as she began her undergraduate career at Tufts. GlutenFreedomForAll is a growing snack company that produces gluten-free snack packs that provide those with a gluten intolerance an easy and accessible on-the-go snack option that fits within their dietary restrictions. Through her business, Julia also hopes to raise funds for celiac disease research and improve the lives of those who need to be gluten-free.

"The combination of my Entrepreneurship minor and MS in Innovation & Management (MSIM) graduate degree worked especially well," said Julia, "the minor provided a strong framework for ideation and execution, while the MSIM grounded me in problem discovery and validation, and sharpened my ability to translate insights into scalable, data-drive decisions. Those skills were immediately applicable to my business and continue to guide how I engage with customers and evolve the solution." 

GlutenFreedomForAll allows for those who need to live with a gluten-free to diet to have normalcy, peace of mind, and an opportunity to give back to the community. The pre-packaged and selected snack packs provide customers with an easier transition to gluten-free living and the ability to continue being spontaneous in life without having to worry about snack options. The snack packs include gluten-free educational materials and pro tips written by an expert celiac registered dietitian which gives customers the comfort of knowing they are eating safe foods, a stress-free experience from purchasing to eating, and beneficial information to help navigate gluten-free living. 

Besides the snack packs themselves, GlutenFreedomForAll is passionate about giving back to the celiacs community by donating a portion of profits to the GlutenFreedomFoundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that Julia founded as well. This foundation is focused on making a difference and giving back by helping to fund celiac disease research and support other organizations that improve the quality of life for those who need to live gluten-free. 

By the Numbers:

• Over the past 4 years GlutenFreedomForAll has worked with 20+ hotels, universities, and boutique grocers across 6+ states, selling thousands of snack packs each year

• Snack packs are in 350+ in-room minibars at Resorts World Las Vegas

• The organization held a fundraising event which raised over $5,000 for celiac disease research supporting the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University in New York

• Hundreds of snacks have been donated to help combat gluten-free food insecurity through Project Just Because in MA and Three Square Las Vegas (part of Feeding America)

• In 2024, GlutenFreedomForAll came in 2nd place at the Tufts New Ventures Competition - winning $8k to help scale. Also won the Montle Prize Senior Award in 2024 and first place in the Ideas Competition in 2025

The Human Side:

Julia hopes that her snack packs bring back a sense of normalcy while shopping and eating, that GlutenFreedomForAll creates an experience where all of the worry and stress that comes with being gluten-free is minimized, and that her nonprofit raises money for celiac disease research and projects that improve the lives of those dealing with celiac disease. 

"GlutenFreedomForAll was born out of an effort to eliminate the restrictions and insecurities many face while on a gluten-free diet, and make eating a positive experience. I hope that it adds as much value to other people's lives as it has to mine" Julia shares. 

GlutenFreedomForAll continues to offer on-the-go snack packs readily available on her website, as well as wholesale options for airports, convenience stores, hotels, and universities. 

Learn More: https://glutenfreedomforall.com/

Program Information: Entrepreneurship Minor , MS in Innovation & Management