Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Feel Like An Idiot...

L.A.

By L.A.
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

L.A. Contributor
L.A.
Posted

This Saturday, some people from my ball team are planning a surprise dinner and drinks at a restaurant for one of our team members who is getting married. Nothing gluten-free on the menu, so if I go I sit while everyone else eats and feel like an idiot. Doesn't help that I weigh 104 lbs and the wait staff gives me the "hmm bets she's anorexic look". I would really like to go but don't know what to do while everyone else is eating--maybe I could balance my cheque book or something. I need help.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Mango04 Enthusiast
Mango04
Posted

Order a drink. Explain that you have severe "food allergies" and nothing on the menu is safe for you. Consider bringing along some gluten-free junk food to munch on while you're there - don't make it obvious to the restaurant staff that you have your own food.

I know how you feel. I often am accusued of being anorexic - and I'm 30 pounds heavier than you and currently actually need to lose about five pounds lol. People are just weird about food. Try to just go and enjoy the celebration with your friends. If it looks to them like you're having a good time, they'll be less likely to freak out over the fact that you're not eating.

Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

Perhaps you could order a salad and bring your own dressing.

L.A. Contributor
L.A.
Posted
  • Author
Order a drink. Explain that you have severe "food allergies" and nothing on the menu is safe for you. Consider bringing along some gluten-free junk food to munch on while you're there - don't make it obvious to the restaurant staff that you have your own food.

I know how you feel. I often am accusued of being anorexic - and I'm 30 pounds heavier than you and currently actually need to lose about five pounds lol. People are just weird about food. Try to just go and enjoy the celebration with your friends. If it looks to them like you're having a good time, they'll be less likely to freak out over the fact that you're not eating.

Okay, so now the paranoid thing kicks in, don't you worry about cc on the glasses in a restaurant? Can you tell I have only eaten out once since dx...

hathor Contributor
hathor
Posted

You might talk to the restaurant. Sometimes they will prepare you something not on the menu or will modify something so it won't be gluten free. It won't hurt to ask. Tell them you will have to bring your own food otherwise ;)

If they won't accommodate you, go with your own food and just order drinks. My husband has this problem with a restaurant his firm likes to have meetings at. They refuse to serve anything vegan, even to the extent of leaving the sour cream off a baked potato or cheese sauce off the broccoli. So he gets carryout somewhere else and carries it into this other restaurant. Most restaurants aren't that silly, though.

gfgypsyqueen Enthusiast
gfgypsyqueen
Posted

I agree. Go to the party. Order some drinks and have a great time. Bring some cookies or brownies or soemthing in your bag. Eat a meal before you go. If anyone asks, just explain that you have severe food allergies so you can't eat here, but you wanted to come celebrate. Smile and have a great time.

As for the annorexia comment, ehh make a joke out of it. The one plus of this crazy diet is you are lucky enough you don't have to try to loose weight while eating on a strict gluten-free diet. Most of us have heard all the hurtful jealous comments from friends and loved ones regarding this diet. Try not to listen to them or worry about it anymore. Occassionally I have to explain that I used to be a good 50 pounds heavier than I am now. The only difference is I am now healthy and no longer in pain and miserable every day.

Have a great time at the party

Mango04 Enthusiast
Mango04
Posted
Okay, so now the paranoid thing kicks in, don't you worry about cc on the glasses in a restaurant? Can you tell I have only eaten out once since dx...

No, I order drinks in restaurants and I don't worry about cc on glasses.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted
As for the anorexia comment, ehh make a joke out of it.

Tell them you aren't anorexic, you're masochistic and you love to torture yourself by going to huge parties at restaurants and not eating anything.

L.A. Contributor
L.A.
Posted
  • Author
Tell them you aren't anorexic, you're masochistic and you love to torture yourself by going to huge parties at restaurants and not eating anything.

:lol: Thanks guys. As always, you made me feel better...and laugh. L.A.

blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted

I would go with a drink and a salad, and bring your own dressing. This way you can join in and feel like everyone else. It seems like you are an outsider at first but pretty soon you will be looking forward to outings again. If possible maybe you can also talk to the staff at the restaruant and see if there is anything safe to eat as well. Have fun!!!

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted

I'd just bring my own food if you're worried about CC. I do it all the time with no problems.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to Ello's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      You might consider asking for a referral to a RD (Registered Dietician) to help with food choices and planning a diet. Even apart from any gluten issues, you will likely find there are some foods you need to avoid because of the shorter bowel but you may also find that your system may make adjustments over time and that symptoms may improve.
    2. Ello
      - Ello replied to Ello's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      I wish Dr’s would have these discussions with their patients. So frustrating but will continue to do research. Absolutely love this website. I will post any updates on my testing and results. Thank you
    3. trents
      - trents replied to Ello's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      Losing 12" of your small bowel is going to present challenges for you in nutritional uptake because you are losing a significant amount of nutritional absorption surface area. You will need to focus on consuming foods that are nutritionally dense and also probably look at some good supplements. If indeed you are having issues with gluten you will need to...
    4. Ello
      - Ello replied to Ello's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      Yes this information helps. I will continue to be pro active with this issues I am having. More testing to be done. Thank you so much for your response.
    5. trents
      - trents replied to Ello's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      There are two gluten-related disorders that share many of the same symptoms but differ in nature from each other. One is known as celiac disease or "gluten intolerance". By nature, it is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the ingestion of gluten triggers the body to attack it's own tissues, specifically the lining of the small bowel. This attack causes...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,832
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Duhgirl
    Newest Member
    Duhgirl
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      By trents · Posted

      You might consider asking for a referral to a RD (Registered Dietician) to help with food choices and planning a diet. Even apart from any gluten issues, you will likely find there are some foods you need to avoid because of the shorter bowel but you may also find that your system may make adjustments over time and that symptoms may improve.
    • Ello
      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      By Ello · Posted

      I wish Dr’s would have these discussions with their patients. So frustrating but will continue to do research. Absolutely love this website. I will post any updates on my testing and results.  Thank you
    • trents
      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      By trents · Posted

      Losing 12" of your small bowel is going to present challenges for you in nutritional uptake because you are losing a significant amount of nutritional absorption surface area. You will need to focus on consuming foods that are nutritionally dense and also probably look at some good supplements. If indeed you are having issues with gluten you will need to educate yourself as to how gluten is hidden in the food supply. There's more to it than just avoiding the major sources of gluten like bread and pasta. It is hidden in so many things you would never expect to find it in like canned tomato soup and soy sauce just to name a few. It can be in pills and medications.  Also, your "yellow diarrhea, constipation and bloating" though these are classic signs of a gluten disorder, could also be related to the post surgical shorter length of your small bowel causing incomplete processing/digestion of food.
    • Ello
      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      By Ello · Posted

      Yes this information helps. I will continue to be pro active with this issues I am having. More testing to be done. Thank you so much for your response. 
    • trents
      Small Bowel Resection 12 inches

      By trents · Posted

      There are two gluten-related disorders that share many of the same symptoms but differ in nature from each other. One is known as celiac disease or "gluten intolerance". By nature, it is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the ingestion of gluten triggers the body to attack it's own tissues, specifically the lining of the small bowel. This attack causes inflammation and produces antibodies that can be detected in the blood by specific tests like the TTG-IGA test you had. Over time, if gluten is not withheld, this inflammation can cause severe damage to the lining of the small bowel and even result in nutrient deficiency related health issues since the small bowel lining is organ where all the nutrition found in our food is absorbed.  The other is NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just "gluten sensitivity") which we know less about and are unsure of the exact mechanism of action. It is not an autoimmune disorder and unlike celiac disease it does not damage the lining of the small bowel, though, like celiac disease, it can cause GI distress and it can also do other kinds of damage to the body. It is thought to be more common than celiac disease. Currently, we cannot test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out to arrive at a diagnosis of NCGS. Both disorders require elimination of gluten from the diet.  Either of these disorders can find their onset at any stage of life. We know that celiac disease has a genetic component but the genes are inactive until awakened by some stress event. About 40% of the general population has the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% develop active celiac disease. The incidence of NCGS is thought to be considerably higher. I hope this helps.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.