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

Don't Know What To Say Anymore Now That I Am Gluten/dairy And Soy Free

Sarah8793

By Sarah8793
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Sarah8793 Enthusiast
Sarah8793
Posted

When I was just gluten and dairy free, it seemed easier to pass with a polite, no thank you I can't have it because of gluten etc. But now, I can't eat ANYTHING other people offer (except maybe fruits and vegetables). The thought of saying no I can't have it because I can't have anything with gluten, dairy, or soy in it, makes me feel weird. It is like the more things you can't have, the more strange you appear to others. So what do those of you that have 3 or more intolerances, say to others when you can't eat with them? If I just state one of my intolerances, then they might find something else for me to eat with a different intolerance. So then it all ends up coming out anyway. I have just been feeling a little down since adding soy to my list.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Mom23boys Contributor
Mom23boys
Posted

Thank you X sounds nice but I have multiple food allergies and cannot try it.

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted

I also do the "Thank you, but I have multiple food allergies."

Takala Enthusiast
Takala
Posted

Most of the time no explanation is necessary if it's said with the right cheery attitude.

"No, thanks, I just ate, but thanks for offering" is sufficient.

If people persist, just tell them you're not hungry or better yet offer them something you have that you can eat. You are't wierd, there are a huge number of people in the world who don't eat something because of how it makes them feel. Most of the time in a casual encounter no big wikipedia explanation is necessary.

Phyllis28 Apprentice
Phyllis28
Posted

I simply say "No thank you" assuming this is a casual social contact.

I only go into a more detailed explantion when the person is persistant, usually after they are still pushing after the third "No thank you". I very briefly explain that I will get sick if I eat anything with wheat, oats, rye or barley, for you add dairy and soy or you could say multiple food intolerances. If they are still pushing at this point I tell them a white lie about not wanting to go to the hospital.

Sarah8793 Enthusiast
Sarah8793
Posted
  • Author

Thank you to all of you for your ideas. :)

Multiple food intolerances was the vocabulary I needed. I think I will try saying "no thank you," or I just ate, as takala mentions and then if pushed I will use the pharse about multiple food intolerances. Thanks takala also for reminding me that I'm not alone with this. I just never meet anyone (besides this forum) who has the same problems I do. It is easy to begin to feel like I am unique.

hathor Contributor
hathor
Posted

I tell people I have multiple allergies if they notice. Folks rarely understand what an intolerance is, but "allergy" gets their attention. They don't need the details, unless they ask. I have been known to make a joke out of it like, "Yes, I'm allergic to food, so that does limit me a bit."

Sometimes folks don't notice and I just say, "No thanks."

If I can talk to someone in advance, I will mention the fact that I have these allergies and asking what will be served. I make it clear I don't expect to be individually catered to; I'm just trying to see if there will be something I can eat or whether I should eat first or bring my own food.

You will get used to it over time. I'm feeling so philosophical today since it is my one year gluten-free anniversary. Well, gluten-free except for the times I messed up or others glutened me.

The thing that still gets me is that people don't know what is in food. They don't know that white bread or regular pasta is made from wheat, confine "dairy" to milk, and think of soy as just tofu or soy sauce. They don't know egg (another problem for me) is in mayonnaise. Frequently, these include people who work in restaurants! I just try to save the experiences as amusing anecdotes, not something that should make me feel strange.

I can't beat the story I heard on another board. A certain young woman, bright enough because she was in grad school, honestly thought that flour was made from ... flowers.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Ginsou Explorer
Ginsou
Posted

I too, am lactose/casein/gluten/soy intolerant. No one really knows what it means, unless they also have the same problems. I simply say I have multiple food allergies. When they ask what I am allergic to, I say about 90% of food....which is true!! If they want more details, then I tell them and their reaction is a blank look. I laugh and say, other than being allergic to everything, I'm perfectly healthy!

I never eat any food item someone else has prepared. A friend of mine made spaghetti sauce for me many years ago when my only health problem was lactose intolerance. I got sick, and questioned him about the ingredients. He said "oh, there's no milk in it....I threw in a couple slices of cheese that were in the fridge". I'm sure to this day he still thinks I'm a nut case.

Mom23boys Contributor
Mom23boys
Posted
I got sick, and questioned him about the ingredients. He said "oh, there's no milk in it....I threw in a couple slices of cheese that were in the fridge". I'm sure to this day he still thinks I'm a nut case.

I cannot tell you how many times I've heard a line like that. :rolleyes: I now ask "and what is cheese made from???"...thinking..."OH!!!"

kbtoyssni Contributor
kbtoyssni
Posted

I've only got gluten and peanut restrictions, but I still say "oh, I have a ton of food allergies". With strangers or casual acquaintances I don't go into details unless they ask.

Gwen B Rookie
Gwen B
Posted
Thank you to all of you for your ideas. :)

Multiple food intolerances was the vocabulary I needed. I think I will try saying "no thank you," or I just ate, as takala mentions and then if pushed I will use the pharse about multiple food intolerances. Thanks takala also for reminding me that I'm not alone with this. I just never meet anyone (besides this forum) who has the same problems I do. It is easy to begin to feel like I am unique.

I also like to appease the host, who probably would like to feel that they want to look after you by providing you with something as a only a good host does. I also avoid going into detail, saying that I am a little food challenged. I try to steer them onto the posative aspect of the guest/host relationship by requesting something I can have, like friut, plain salad, glass of water/wine/tea. That way, hopefully both our roles are fulfilled and we can ge on with enjoying the party!

mftnchn Explorer
mftnchn
Posted

Thanks for asking this. In a couple of days, I am going back home to the USA for 2.5 months from where I live overseas. Here I can't eat out, but my social obligations are more minimal. When I get to the USA I am thrust into a lot of social situations and obligations, it is going to be awkward I am afraid.

I appreciated people's input. I am also GFCFSF.

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. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,334
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    johnfreirefr
    Newest Member
    johnfreirefr
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • 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.