"why Aren't You Eating" Getting Frustrating

[HAK1031]

Yesterday was Rosh Hashanah, and I specifically asked my family what we would be doing for lunch and if I should bring food. They told me not to worry, they'd make sure to find something. Well, we wound up going to a catered luncheon at a family friend's house. Typcal jewish menu: lox and bagels, kugel, potato pancakes, and desserts galore. It was buffet style so the few dishes that would probably be ok were out of the question. Plus, the basket of bagels was right above the plates...I could see crumbs! Needless to say, I chose not to eat anything, which was fine, I really didn't mind. But the "why aren't you eating? just have a little bit!" got sooooo obnoxious, even after I explained the allergy thing.

Then today we had an all-staff meeting for work where they served dinner: chicken parmesan, pasta, rolls, and salad. I had some salad (dressingless) and got a lot of weird looks or comments. The fact that the first twenty minutes of the meeting were spent doing teambuilding activites with balloons (I am severely allergic to latex) didn't help my case. I explain wherever possible, but I tend to get the "teenage girl, another crazy diet" type of attitude, even when I explain it in the context of an autoimmune disease or an allergy.

Anyway, it's just frustrating. But I'm sure we can all relate!

[zero]

You had a rough couple of days there. I am still working out my rules for eating out but they are currently

1. always have low expectations
   
2. if I don't know what is in it, don't eat it but I generally trust the restaurant chefs if they say and it looks gluten free
   
3. if I am hungry, bring food
   

I don't know what to do about the really annoying helpful comments.

rob

[YoloGx]

I agree--never believe anybody unless they too have celiac and are really on it (some aren't and cheat regularly). Always bring along some emergency food just in case... People will see you eating. They may or may not notice but it will make them more comfortable than if you eat nothing at all at such an event... I tend to bring something others will like too so the subject hardly comes up, if it does, its no big deal since most people like to eat what I make. You might even get praised. I just have to make sure what I actually eat is separate however and give left overs of the main part to others unless its something like a pastry that can be individually wrapped in cellophane (with hands washed before and after unless it too is kept separate).

Bea

[missy'smom]

I agree--never believe anybody unless they too have celiac and are really on it (some aren't and cheat regularly). Always bring along some emergency food just in case... People will see you eating. They may or may not notice but it will make them more comfortable than if you eat nothing at all at such an event...

Bea

I agree.

[ShayFL]

I generally do not trust others to prepare my food. I let a good friend of mine cook me dinner about a month ago. But she is "grain free" herself and understands CC very well. When I got there she showed me everything she used and she even covered all of the baking dishes in tin foil. Made note that she was using stainless steel spoons and such. I ate there and did not get sick.

But I had almonds and an apple in my purse just in case. I always have something in my purse. Always. Then again I have been doing it for years because I am one of those people who has gotta eat when I gotta eat.