Happy Friday! I want to start doing a feature on Friday’s involving celiac disease and gluten free life. Tips and tricks, recipes, products, random thoughts about gluten free, etc. Hopefully I can come up with a more creative title than “Gluten Free Friday,” but we’ll just go with that for now.
Even though I try to downplay it, living gluten free is a big part of my life. I don’t like to stand out and be “the weird, healthy girl” so I usually don’t talk about celiac unless I’m asked. I also hate being a burden on others so I prefer bringing my own food to a social event than asking someone to prepare a special dish. That and I’d rather not risk something being contaminated.
Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disease and something that should not be taken lightly. Obviously there are a myriad of reasons why people eat gluten free (weight loss, sensitivity, makes them feel better), but for those of us with celiac, eating gluten free is not a joke. With that being said, I’d like to discuss vent about the struggles we celiacs face. Sometimes instead of getting frustrated with people/restaurants/food/gluten, it’s better to laugh about the odd problems we deal with, right?
Here are a few that have been on my mind lately (plus those from funny memes and graphics)…
When people say “That’s why you’re so skinny.” Uh a) not a compliment and b) this is just my body structure…let’s move on.
Not screaming at someone who says they are “eating gluten free to lose weight.” Major eye roll.
It takes a lot of self-control to not scream. Source
Having to intensely watch the line staff at food counters to see if they change their gloves. And then asking them to change them if they don’t. Where’s the Food Safety Inspection Department when you need ’em?
Having to always place utensils on a napkin because you never know if gluten touched the surface. I go through more paper towels than necessary.
Source
Having to say “no” when someone asks for a sip of your drink. I don’t mean to be rude, but unless you want to brush your teeth right then and there, I can’t share.
Having to explain to people that, yes, I can survive without regular pizza. It may be hard but it’s necessary. There’s also plenty of GF pizza out there so we don’t feel “deprived.”
Yes, I totally understand this. Source
Only buying a certain lip gloss brand that you’re sure is GF after spending a half hour on the phone with the company. I like Red Apple Lipstick because it’s written on the package :) Bobbi Brown is GF too, I confirmed.
Laughing when someone says “the best thing since sliced bread.” I can think of much better things.
Bringing your own meal to school/work functions. Because 95% of the time the GF meal (if offered) will be a plain salad.
Having to read labels on EVERYTHING. And no, we’re not looking at the calories. That salad dressing? Medicine? Marinade? They all need our approval first.
Worrying that the GF dinner someone specially made for you isn’t safe. I wish I knew the polite way to deal with this. I feel so loved when someone takes the time to make a special meal for me, but I can’t help but think the worst. Any suggestions?
I always worry. Source
Knowing that you are in the true 1% of the world. Those billionaires have nothing on us.
1 in 133 = approximately 1%. Source
But despite all of these “problems” I know that I’m healthier, stronger and happier since my celiac diagnosis. Living gluten free has changed my life for the better and the way I feel now is worth a thousand #celiacpains.
Celiacs: What’s your #celiacpain?
Non-celiacs: What’s your current pain?
I’d never realized how hard y’all had it until going to school for nutrition. I can’t even imagine how hard it must be at times – especially in the beginning. Just know your a rockstar & never need to explain to anyone why you have to eat GF. It’s your choice to share.
Btw, I’m loving this series already!
The beginning was incredibly challenging, especially with the lack of products/information available. Oddly as it’s become a mainstream “fad” it’s helped me because more people know about it.
Omg….you just made my day, haha! Yes to ALL of these! Every single one! We celiacs are the best though XOXO Celiac 4 Life ;)
Hahaha, yes we are :)
Oh my gosh, wow! I have a friend who is gluten free but not to this extent. I had no idea it involved so much, well, work! Dang, girl. Props to you for survivin’ and thrivin’ despite all that. It must be a pain! xo Have a great weekend!
Thanks for your sweet words! It doesn’t feel like a pain all the time- mostly when eating out…and when I’m in a list-making mood and come up with things haha
“I’m eating gluten free to lose weight” is like saying “I’m eating organic to lose weight”.
What? No! You can eat organic but still eat like crap!
Yes, you can eat gluten free and still eat very poorly!
My boyfriend’s sister has celiacs and I would NEVER want it. Separate cutting boards, knives, and all possible contamination during a weekend this summer camping and I see that day to day things suck! I hate the gluten free for weight loss thing- props to you for dealing with it all!
Yes- separate everything! It was awkward explaining to my roommates why they couldn’t use my cutting board or why I had to lysol everything before and after I cooked.
Once I was at a pasta dinner and heard a non-celiac explaining she waited for the gluten free pasta because a celiac friend of hers cut out gluten and felt much better. I just don’t understand some people’s logic!
I think a lot of people are quick to blame gluten for their problems.