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Feel Like An Idiot...

L.A.

By L.A.
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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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.

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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.

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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.

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