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BridgetJones

By BridgetJones
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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BridgetJones Rookie
BridgetJones
Posted

I have been coeliac for 5 years now and it never fails to amaze me peoples reactions. I have been called a freak and told you're just a fussy eater. People can be amazingly judgemental and tend to be very ignorant about it. A little understanding goes a long way. Is it the same in USA or are people more understanding?

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leethinker Rookie
leethinker
Posted
I have been coeliac for 5 years now and it never fails to amaze me peoples reactions. I have been called a freak and told you're just a fussy eater. People can be amazingly judgemental and tend to be very ignorant about it. A little understanding goes a long way. Is it the same in USA or are people more understanding?

I have not been diagnosed and am still trying to figure out whether I have this or not, but I can tell you, come to Germany! LOL Germans tend to be generally much more careful about what they eat. I'm American, living in Germany, and I'm already scared about how my family (US) will react - I know they won't believe me. They'll think I'm just being a hypochondriac! But here, already just mentioning my issues, I've heard a few stories about friends of friends who have it, and how terrible it is, etc... I.e., sympathy and tolerance.

I don't get it... I think people think that Celiacs are just picky eaters, fanatical health nuts! <_<

NorthernElf Enthusiast
NorthernElf
Posted

I'm with you on this ! I've been at this for about the same amount of time. I'm in Canada and I guess it doesn't help that I'm a fitness instructor - but I do get tired of people thinking I'm just a serial dieter or something (worse I guess since I'm a lean person to begin with). People are so used to healthy diets being a CHOICE that they can CHEAT on, they just don't get the whole 'getting sick as a consequence' thing. Fortunately, those close to me or that I work with get it over time. They have either seen me sick or seen that I never cheat...it is not just some fad thing I am into !!!

I gotta admit though that I avoid some social situations that involve food - potlucks, eating out, etc. - and I always carry my own food when I travel. I also try not to talk about it too much because it frustrates me.

BridgetJones Rookie
BridgetJones
Posted
  • Author

Over here no-one has ever heard of it. Its not like you can't tell people either as a lot of social events involve eating. Some people do put themselves on a gluten free diet when they dont need to be. I don't get that, I would love to be able to eat normally. In a social situation you kind of have to draw attention to yourself as you have to ask for gluten free food. Perhaps if more restaurants had maybe a couple of gluten free options on their menu it would help. Its frustrating that they include vegetatarian options but its not going to make a vegetarian sick if they ate meat, its purely a choice they have made. ~Thats what it is like in the UK, grrrrr......frustrating. I don't eat out generally as I am concerned that they don't really understand. I have asked for gluten free salad in the past and been given one with croutons on it and a bread roll!

Phyllis28 Apprentice
Phyllis28
Posted

I don't usually have any problem with strange or rude reactions from people. I try to explain it is very simple terms. Something like "I can not have wheat, oats, rye or barley, they will make me very ill" I don't mention gluten or celiac since these are in the vocabulary of most people.

Hummingbird4 Explorer
Hummingbird4
Posted

I'm always amazed when I tell someone that I cannot have gluten (wheat, rye, barley) and then they say, "Oh, do you have Celiac Disease?" And I'm thinking, "Wow, they get it!!!!"

briscoe Newbie
briscoe
Posted
I'm always amazed when I tell someone that I cannot have gluten (wheat, rye, barley) and then they say, "Oh, do you have Celiac Disease?" And I'm thinking, "Wow, they get it!!!!"

Good for you. Ive been a celiac for three months now and everyone I talk to dont know. Of course I have to explain the whole darn issue. I feel like the doctor now. Briscoe

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ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

I usually just describe it as an allergy. Of course that's an incorrect term but one lay people understand. I have been surprised at the number of people who do get that it's celiac. There are many more out there than we realize. Most lay people understand that some food allergies cause your throat to close & could lead to death. If you say it's an allergy they take it more seriously. Restaurants especially see you as someone who could keel over in their facility leading to a major law suit so they take that word severe allergy to heart!

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

I've not really had any issue with it - no one saying I'm a freak or that I can have just a crumb. Of course, there is *nothing* apologetic in my tone, very "the sky is blue" matter of fact tone. Some people have heard of it, some people haven't - everything on the spectrum. I think it varies significantly by geographic location and sub-culture you're hangin' out with.

LuvMoosic4life Collaborator
LuvMoosic4life
Posted

it's half and half for me. Some people completely get it, others arecompletely ignorant. My roomate fo example thinks I'm on a diet and look at ingredients for caloric/healthy reasons, even after i explained to her what happens when I eat gluten. She understands not to use my silverware and dishes, but then she'll ask me qestions like "so is it hard not to cheat?" I just stood there with a blank gaze on my face...."um, no, I dont wan't to even touch the stuff, it makes me sick." and she says "oh, ok, yeah right...."

on the other hand I am finding more and more people are becoming aware of it because of people they know being diagnosed. I even met someone in person for the first time ever the other day. I literally was so happy I gave her a huge hug, and i didnt even know here LOL! :lol::lol:

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