Need To Vent! Multiple Intolerances

[confusedks]

I have been gluten free for a while and lately we have a lot of family in town so we have been eating out a lot. Well, I am not only gluten but dairy, soy, sugar and starch free! It makes things VERY hard! I usually either get just plain grilled chicken and veggies or just a drink. Well, the problem with getting a drink only is that my family thinks I am not eating (I am fairly thin) and have an eating disorder.

The problem with just getting a drink also is that I can only eat so many nuts before I go somewhere...I am really sick of Lara Bars, etc. The ONLY way I trust food is if I make it at home, because it's so hard, nearly impossible to avoid gluten, dairy, soy, sugar AND starch. Since we have pretty full days when people are in town, I can't pack a whole day's worth of food to keep in a cooler in my car, and honestly, it's too much work. I am exhausted all the time from other health problems, so making 3 meals in advanced is almost impossible!

I guess I just need to vent, and I am just so sick of this! I just wish I could obly avoid gluten, it's SO hard with dairy, soy, starch and sugar also. Sigh.

[GlutenWrangler]

Kassandra,

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you have been having. At some point it becomes impossible to follow such a rigid diet. I only get a drink as well when I go out to eat with people, but the people I'm with know that I don't have an eating disorder. But I can understand how uncomfortable it must be when your family thinks that you have an eating disorder. I've been questioned by several doctors about eating disorders, and it's very uncomfortable.

I think the important thing to remember is that you are doing this for yourself. You know that you are doing what's right for health, and that's what matters most. It's very hard for others to understand what you're dealing with, which makes it easier for them to criticize. You're obviously wise beyond your years, and you're doing the best you can. It's tough to always have to plan ahead, but just do what you can, even if you can't take 3 meals along with you in the car. And try not to worry about what others think. It will all work out for you in the end. I hope you feel better soon.

-Brian

[Juliebove]

I know what you mean. I keep a lot of Goraw pumpkin seed bars for use as meal replacements.

When I dine out, I tend to have a hamburger patty or ground sirloin because I find a lot of times the chicken has added ingredients in it. Sometimes I have a salad. Those are always risky for me because I have gastroparesis and can't always digest them. I've also gotten croutons mixed in the bottom of the salad even though I said I didn't want any croutons.

Can you have fruit? That might be another option. I don't do well with it, but my daughter can eat it.