Just Venting

[cbear6301]

wow... so its been 17 days and for the first part I was okay, but in the last week I have had office party after office party followed by church potluck and family dinners... people telling me what is gluten free, wondering if I bring something, do I try this or that, this part is hard.

any tricks for those who have been on this road longer?

[samcarter]

Bring your own food. Everywhere. At least at first. It's really the only way to be sure that you're getting gluten free food. I have a church coffee hour nearly every week after services, and I just bring a Kind bar or my own crackers. A lot of times the lady who runs it will have mixed nuts or some other gluten-free offering, she's very considerate, but I don't expect her to.

Same for family gatherings. Bring your own salad, main course, everything. Even drinks. Even if you have helpful family members trying to give you gluten free food, often they're not aware about things like soy sauce and seasonings having gluten in them, so they may unintentionally give you food with gluten in it.

If anybody takes it personally, you can just say, "I'm on a gluten-free diet as per my doctor's orders. I don't want to burden anybody else with planning for my special needs, so I'm taking care of myself." And smile the whole time.

[cbear6301]

ok.. I can keep smiling... I think I am struggling.. I have been trying to be so optimistic and now I guess I bummed... but you are right.. thank you.

[samcarter]

ok.. I can keep smiling... I think I am struggling.. I have been trying to be so optimistic and now I guess I bummed... but you are right.. thank you.

It is perfectly normal to be bummed. And to grieve for the old foods, the old lifestyle that existed before gluten-free. But I've found that if I act bummed about my condition around others, they think that I would like to try "Just one bite" of a gluten-filled treat, and start offering. Or they are well-meaning and try to give me something that is wheat free, but not gluten free.

However, if I'm cheerful and accepting in public about my condition and lifestyle, then they see me as content and happy and not in need of any sympathy.

[Ahorsesoul]

Yep, bring your own food. I always bring something that is my favorite and fill my plate when I set out my crockpot/bowl/pan. That way I'm sure I'll have something to eat. I know not to trust people when they say it's gluten free.

A friend was so proud of her herself that she made me a "gluten free" salad. She said she checked all the ingredients and there wasn't any gluten in them. Since it was a pasta salad I asked what brand of pasta she used. Yep, it never occurred to her that pasta wasn't gluten free. So just don't trust them. You health is more important.

I've been gluten-free since 2003 (wheat free since 1999). I cheated and wasn't really careful. I did feel better some of the time. Two years ago, after a bout of gluten illness, I went totally gluten-free. I can not believe how great it feels. It's well worth the trouble.

[missy'smom]

I bring my own all the time too. Sometimes I'll bring a processed food that's available at places where the masses shop-like Rice Works chips-available at Costco and Walmart. They know I brought it and therefore it's gluten-free. You never know, maybe someone else will bring it next time-I'm not expecting anything though. I've been bringing some fruit, gelatin, pudding based desserts lately and many have requested the recipes, which use readily available ingredients are easy to pull together and don't cost much. Like this one https://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/index.ph...c=56446&hl= Lettuce based salads are another easy option to bring. I'll bring a packed meal or assortment of stuff just for me and if I'm up to it, a dish to share.

[2ofus2kids2dogs]

I have run into the same problem since going gluten free. My main problem is that I did not want to offend anyone. However, after getting "glutened" almost everytime I ate outside of my own kitchen, I learned to better care for myself. For family get-togethers, I take my own plate of food. Period. My mom loves me- but she does not have a good grasp on gluten or cross contamination. I react to very small amounts. Everyone was offended in the beginning, but I just stuck to my guns, saying that I didn't want to get sick. It does get easier with time. For church, I try to take a gluten free dish and fix my plate first. My biggest disappointment at things is not being able to try all the good looking desserts. I promise you it will get easier with time. I've been doing this 2-1/2 years now and am amazed at how it has just become my life now - I really don't even think about it much anymore. I have figured out how to make almost everything I loved before - so I no longer feel deprived. Good luck.

[cbear6301]

Exactly what I think, I hate to offend people, nor do I like to be the center of attention. And I do miss the desserts, I keep thinking I will just try one.. but I know better and its not worth getting sick..

thank you for all the encouragement..this board is the best.

[Crystalkd]

It's okay. It will get easier. As far as the deserts. you can make some of your own. Foe easter I made a pudding pie frpm Pamala's Brand Gingersnap cookies. Next time I'll try arrowroot cookies. Also Whole Foods has a store brand line of gluten-free mixes. I tried the brownies. They taste like the real thing. I went to my first cookout since going gluten-free yesterday and made my own BBQ to take. It was good! It took me a good six weeks to greive and I'm still making adjustments 2 years later that I should have done at the start. Pick up Living Gluten Free for Dummies. It's helps. I also saw Gluten Free cooking for dummies that I'm most likely going to get.