Eight Things a Gluten Free Person Never Wants to Hear

photo from glutenfreefat2fit.com

Huffington Post has this article on things you don't want to hear if you are gluten free. If you want to commiserate go here for the rest of the items! I get these all of the time. If people don't come out and say it, they imply it. The joys of being gluten free! At least you know, you are not alone. :)

"If you are gluten intolerant or have coeliac disease then the chances are that you will have heard every one of these at some point in your life.

I believe that the awkward questions stem from people feeling uncomfortable because they don't fully understand, but I have to admit that at times it's difficult not to burst out laughing.

These are eight things that will either infuriate anyone who's gluten-free, or will have them in fits of laughter:

1. Oh! I was thinking of trying that diet too!

Although the gluten-free diet has attracted many people who don't need to live a gluten-free lifestyle for their health, the majority of people on a gluten-free diet are not doing so because they think it'll help them to lose weight. If anyone with coeliac disease or gluten intolerance eats gluten it's typically a very uncomfortable and often painful experience. It is NOT a diet. It's a lifestyle change because their bodies can't tolerate gluten.

2. You're such a picky eater!

This is possibly the most common thing said to anyone who is gluten-free because they always have to ask what ingredients are in recipes, or pack what might appear to be strange things for lunch. If they are asking for a 100% beefburger without the bun it is because they can't eat bread. If they request salad without the dressing it's because most sauces contain hidden gluten. It isn't being a picky eater, it's trying to avoid the pain that they experience when they've eaten gluten by mistake.

3. Why don't you just try a bit and see how you get on?

If someone has been advised by a doctor to follow a gluten-free diet then it's a permanent change. Your body can't just suddenly stop being intolerant to something, particularly if you've completely stopped eating it. Once you cut something out of your diet it actually becomes even harder to reintroduce it, so yes, just one sandwich will hurt. In many cases even a crumb will hurt. No, they are absolutely sure they don't want to just try.

4. But all of the best foods have gluten in them!

Yes, most of them do. All that this statement does is simply remind anyone who's gluten-free of what they are missing out on... as if they weren't already aware."