Each label has its own connotation, but it all comes down to one thing: it sucks to be made sick by something so common and so pleasurable as gluten.
For those who don't know, gluten is a protein in most wheat, barley, and rye products.
Partially because I'm feeling the need to write out my frustration and partially because I believe people are uninformed about the actual lifestyle of HAVING to eat gluten free, I have decided to describe gluten intolerance in my own words.
Gluten intolerance is feeling carsick everyday, a nauseated feeling that not even puking could get rid of. It's headaches and sore limbs. It's fatigue so bad that you just lay in bed all day. It's knowing one bite of the wrong thing could put you in bed for days. It's fear of dinner parties, which are never simple for someone with food allergies. It's worrying that people will think you are rude if do t eat their food. It's waiters rolling their eyes when you ask for a gluten free menu. It's a constant stream of questions that you wish you didn't have to ask. It's embarrassment when you have to be "that person." It's the constant decision of what is more important: your pride or your health?
Gluten intolerance is confusing and inconsistent tests. It's not knowing what to say when people ask you if it's Celiac or an allergy; you've tested positive AND negative for both. It's doctors giving you no solutions, only comments about how it is quite common for women of Anglo-Saxon heritage to complain of these "tummy issues". It's being told by healthy stomached and well meaning friends that according to the article they read online, "gluten's not actually what is making you sick." It's knowing that there is a huge sphere of people who reduce the physical trauma you feel to "trendy hypochondria."
It's knowing restaurants don't take your issue seriously and understanding why they don't. Trendy diet followers don't even know what cross contamination is. On cross contamination, it's asking question after embarrassing question about the gloves cooks wear, the cooking utensils, the cleanliness of kitchen surfaces. It's the risk you take when you are tired and ashamed of asking.
Gluten intolerance is giving up on Chinese food. It's pretending you aren't hungry when someone offers you food because it's not worth explaining. It's a very short list of safe eateries. It's paying the same price for a small gluten free pizza that your family pays for the large pizza they share. It's an upcharge at restaurants, if you are lucky enough to find a gluten free menu. It's dry and crumbly "bread." It's knowing your family enjoys dinner much more when you are gone. It's bitterness towards picky eaters. What you would give to be able to eat that food they just refused...It's craving cake so badly, but knowing you can't afford a substitute from the gluten free aisle of Kroger.
It's friends asking what will happen if you eat gluten. Do you really want to know?
Fine.
Diarrhea and nausea for days and sometimes weeks. Soreness all over your body. Depression and fatigue that leaves you in bed for hours. And the constant surprise of whatever new symptom comes up.
Gluten intolerance is painful and inconvenient. It's a REAL problem, not a trendy lifestyle. I beseech you to please be aware and be gracious when encountering those of us with food allergies. We don't want to ask all these questions, we don't wish to be complicated, but there isn't really a choice.
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