Friends And Family Don't Understand

[Gluten free kitchen]

I thought that the diagnosis was the cure all, but now I know it was just the pebble that started the avalanche. I have been VERY good with my gluten free LIFESTYLE! (Otherwise, it's not pretty).

I am having problems eating out at restaurants and family/friend gatherings. I am not sure if my kitchen is ultra sterilized or if the cross contamination is not regarded, but I feel very isolated in my own home.

My friends make fun of the taste and flavor of my foods, but I have yet to get the guts to stand up for myself. I am just wondering if people have the same issues. I didn't ask for this and would never wish this isolation on anyone....

Teri

[dksart]

Yes.

I am so jealous whenever people post about how their husband threw out all the bread to keep a completely Gluten-free kitchen or how their kids support them.

My family thinks they are doing OK, but still make grilled cheese in my Gluten-free specific pans or use my colander because they say they will wash it and I'm just crazy for thinking that one little speck of gluten can get me. They think it's alright to wipe their toast crumbs off the counter and put that towel back on the rack.

I finally got them to stop double dipping in the butter, jam, mayo or peanut butter. They know what will make me sick, and don't want to hurt me, but sometimes they are a little lax when it comes to cc issues.

[gfpaperdoll]

GlutenFreeKitchen, your isolation is my heaven. I love my all gluten-free kitchen. Summon up the courage to speak up for yourself. Just take your own food with you when you go places. I did it for years before I even knew about gluten, because of all my allergies. Other people with allergies have to do this also, not just the gluten avoiders!

Have a topic of conversation ready & change the subject when it is directed towards your food. Really these days it should not even be a topic, what with people eating vegan, raw, no carb, no eggs, no this & no that. Most of us have a varied diet, it is just that we cannot eat fast food! & what a blessing that is!!!!

Try to start thinking of your kitchen in good terms & not put in the limitations.

[YoloGx]

Not to contradict, but I think going gluten free plus also having to avoid a host of other allergens does make it a lot more difficult if not almost impossible to eat out. Having an allergy to carrots does not make me react if there is a speck of carrot around if you get my drift. I could live with that and my nut allergies, fermented food intolerance, nightshade family and citrus reactions, sugar intolerance etc. Even gluten thought of as an allergy was OK. But now entirely off all gluten I react like others to the smallest trace amount like the vinegar or some invisible whatever. It makes going out to eat not fun at all unless I just alternatively bring my own.

The most difficult part is when people try to honor me. For birthdays now either I make the cake etc. or I just go do something different--though I got caught recently since my date wanted to take me out to dinner. I chose a restaurant which I thought had gluten-free food but as it turned out it wasn't gluten-free enough for me and I was miserable the next day. If I do this again I will go to some big chain known for their gluten-free dishes and still insist on talking with them thoroughly to remind them of the protocol.

The first date thing is really still pretty tricky, since even tea can be a problem if made with a server's gluteny hands. These days I plan on just bringing my thermos and hope no one really notices or cares.

Any other suggestions?

Bea