In-Laws Do Not Understand

[MyTummyHurts8]

Hi everyone,

I am new and this is my first post! I do not have Celiac disease, but I am what you would call self-diagnosed gluten sensitive. I figured it out by doing an elimination diet when I was 18, didn't care enough to really change until I did more research and read about all the damage I was most likely doing to myself. I am 26 now and have been gluten free for the past year (with slip-ups here and there, due to my own stupidity in not asking questions or reading labels more carefully). Anyway...

My husband is not gluten-free, but he is very supportive of my diet and tries to help me by using different utensils for his gluten foods and whatnot. I was pretty proud of him when we had Thanksgiving at his parent's house this past week. He was announcing to the family what they could and could not do to the gluten-free food I bought :-) It's hard to watch him eat sandwiches or stop for a donut, and I've asked him if he would ever consider being gluten-free with me... he isn't quite ready to give it up yet though.

I am feeling frustrated because his family thinks my sensitivity is just a joke, and that I'm pretending to be allergic to something for attention. They used an oven bake bag for the turkey at Thanksgiving and put flour in it, and I didn't know about it at first, but my husband knew that's what they normally do so he asked about it. They said, "It was only half a cup of flour, and we didn't think it would matter. It's not much. Can't she just peel the skin off and eat the meat? I didn't think a little bit of flour bothered her."

They've done similar things other times we have been visiting them. I usually just take my own food, or offer to make dinner for everyone.... although, I'm used to eating paleo/specific carbohydrate diet/gluten-free/sugar free, so when I make things and they try it, they sort of smile and say "Oh, this is... good" and reach for a box of mac n cheese.

I've tried to explain why I can't eat it and what it does to my body, but they don't get it and tune out when I start talking about it. How do you deal with your in-laws? Has anyone been successful in having gluten-eating family members really understand the need to be gluten-free and take it seriously? I'm open to advice and tips!

Thanks!

[kareng]

You are pretty new to this family. Is it possible they wouldn't really listen to anything you said? I just mean it may be the way they are and nothing to do with you & gluten sensitivity..

Because you are new to the family (Under 20 years of marriage is new to some families), I think its best if your husband speak up. Also, always bring your own food so you have something to eat.

I made one of those bag turkeys last year with some gluten-free flour. Don't remember if I used rice flour or some Pamelas mix and it worked great. If you think its worth it, you could send over a cup of the gluten-free flour ahead to use on the turkey.

[Skysmom03]

We got one of kroger's frozen turkey's this year and it came with a gluten free gravy made from rice flour. Very good and couldn't tell a difference!