Is being diagnosed as having celiac disease a good or a bad thing?

This is all in how you view it, and I think you have already given yourself an answer. It is often helpful to have the diagnosis, so that you do know the treatment. Many people remain ill all their lives, never knowing the root cause.

You are lucky because not only do you have the diagnosis, you are willing to follow the treatment. The diet that can be difficult is bringing you benefits. Most gluten free items are found in the health food section.

These foods do tend to be healthier for you, as many uneccessary ingredients have been remmoved or left out, as well as the gluten. There are so many things that you cannot eat, that you are forced to select less, and a weight lower than the national average is certainly going to be good for your health.

Living on a gluten free diet is not always easy, you are 100% correct in that statement :) Living a gluten free life is hard because many processed foods contain gluten, even lollies can contain gluten for what seems like no reason at all....but it does make choosing healthy food a lifestyle and that's a good thing for sure. And I think overall it encourages you to find new foods to eat you wouldn't normally try! I've noticed on a gluten free diet your skin will be a lot healthier and you feel less bloated after eating and even sleep a little better at night ( these are just some of the things I've noticed ).

I certainly noticed a change in my skin - it just looked healthier than before. There are plenty of books at Amazon for gluten free living :) amazon.com/Gluten-Free-Books-You-NEED/lm....

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.