Polite way to ask family to stop eating my food?

[EmmyChoi]

I'm a Celiac my family is not, I know it may sound selfish or self centered but they keep eating my gluten free food. It's hard to find and very expensive they have an option to eat regular bread or gluten free while I do not. My sister ate all of my gluten free bread even though we had two loafs of regular bread.  During this pandemic its been even harder to find gluten free food. I don't want to be mean and ask her not to eat my food anymore but at the same time my diet is limited and its hard enough finding something I can tolerate. I am an adult female, I was diagnosed with Celiac with an endoscopy and I also have Gastroparesis which  paralysis my stomach makes it hard to digest food etc. I basically live off of gluten free bread, and tuna because my body can't handle many other foods. I'm not sure what to do here because I want to share etc. and I'm glad they are enjoying gluten free but times are hard and I don't have an income to keep buying gluten free food anymore. 

[trents]

There is no way around it. You need to sit down with your family members and have a heart to heart talk with them and ask them not to eat your gluten-free food. But this begs the question, do your family members understand and accept your Celiac condition or are they dismissive toward it. I ask this because it is not uncommon for people to think that needing to eat gluten-free is just "all in your head" and just the latest pop fad diet.

Your forum handle suggests to me that you are Asian. Is there a cultural dynamic going on here that makes it difficult to be confrontive with family members?

It might also help to clearly label your gluten-free food products with "Emmy Only".

[Ennis-TX]

Back when I lived in a shared home I kept all my stuff in a different area and brought my stuff into the kitchen to cook hours before anyone else using my own pans. Others find keeping they personal food items in their own rooms easier to avoid contamination but would also serve to keep it separate. IE see about getting or setting up a little kitchenette with airtight containers for dry foods, mini fridge and either or both a microwave/induction cook top with your own cookware. This way they would have to go out of their way to take your gluten free food which would be less likely.

Many find compromises and work it out with those they live with, in my case I just had to move out in the end due to constant issues.

Edited August 23, 2020 by Ennis_TX

[knitty kitty]

Keep in mind, Celiac Disease is genetic.  All first degree family members should be tested for Celiac as well.  

Your sister may prefer your gluten free foods because she may be having subtle symptoms as well.  Discuss this possibility with her.  

[DJFL77I]

just tell her to stop or help you buy gluten free food if she wants some too

[trents]

On 8/23/2020 at 10:30 PM, knitty kitty said:

Keep in mind, Celiac Disease is genetic.  All first degree family members should be tested for Celiac as well.  

Your sister may prefer your gluten free foods because she may be having subtle symptoms as well.  Discuss this possibility with her.  

Good thoughts, KK.