Can I Whine

[Chrissyb]

I hate potlucks. I was at a ladies bible study half the ladies were suppose to bring an egg dish and the other half a side dish or dessert. No gluten is hard enough but add no dairy it is worse. I know there are many people on here that have many other food issues then this but it sucks. Every egg dish had milk and cheese in it and the other dishes I could not eat either. There wasn't even any fresh fruit. Good thing I had brought hard boild eggs and some pumpkin bars.

My chruch is wonderful but most of their functions revolve around food and it is so hard, I always end up bringing my own and I just run out of ideas of my own to bring. Sometimes I just want to cry and half the time I end up not going because it is just to much on me.

Coming up with things to eat at home and feed my family is hard enough as it is let alone having to deal with potlucks. These days I guess I am just feeling a little overwhelmed. I go into church to volunteer twice a week and I am running out of ideas to take for lunch, getting tired of salad.

Oh well I am done whinning thank you for listening.

[Bobbijo6681]

Whine away....thats what we are all here for. Sometimes we just need someone else to listen to us. I am too new to this yet to have many other ideas to help you, SORRY Hope things get easier for you.

[kareng]

I'll whine with you. Even if the food the other people made had a safe ingredient list, you couldn't trust that it wasn't cross contaminated - crumbs at their house or utensils, etc. I didn't go to a school parent party because I haven't gotten to the point I can happily smile & not eat. Also, get tired of "Why aren't you eatting?" - My answer: Its Rat Posion to me. "Can't you have some of that?" - Answer: Yes, before you gluten lovers put your hands, utensils or bread over or in it. Not real friendly attitude for a party. It will get better as we get used to this.

[Kategrad7]

I hate potlucks. I was at a ladies bible study half the ladies were suppose to bring an egg dish and the other half a side dish or dessert. No gluten is hard enough but add no dairy it is worse. I know there are many people on here that have many other food issues then this but it sucks. Every egg dish had milk and cheese in it and the other dishes I could not eat either. There wasn't even any fresh fruit. Good thing I had brought hard boild eggs and some pumpkin bars.

My chruch is wonderful but most of their functions revolve around food and it is so hard, I always end up bringing my own and I just run out of ideas of my own to bring. Sometimes I just want to cry and half the time I end up not going because it is just to much on me.

Coming up with things to eat at home and feed my family is hard enough as it is let alone having to deal with potlucks. These days I guess I am just feeling a little overwhelmed. I go into church to volunteer twice a week and I am running out of ideas to take for lunch, getting tired of salad.

Oh well I am done whinning thank you for listening.

I saw this post and I so identify with what your going through. I'm going to graduate school in a very small rural up-state New York town (2,000 ppl total) there are only 17 people in my graduate class and one of the main way we socialize is to get together about once a week for a pot luck. They used to be my favorite activity now I dread them. I'm gluten, nut and soy free, so while I don't have to avoid dairy, I do understand how restrictive the additional allergies feel. For the pot lucks we have, I either bring something that I know I can eat and that is all I get, or I just eat before I go and stand awkwardly without a plate while everyone else eats! I've been thinking about making a plate for myself and having a full meal rather than just taking from my own dish. Then I would get to have a main and side dish and maybe a desert! I feel like the purpose of a pot luck is to share the food and If I am not getting any of the other food then it would not be rude not to bring anything since I'm not partaking. Then when I make my own dish, I get to socialize without the awkwardness of not eating AND get to have a full meal! I know its not ideal but I'm just starting this process myself, if anyone else has any ideas I would love to hear them as well!

[tmbarke]

Hun, I can soooo relate to the potluck.

I had to turn one down at a church function with my mom and relativess because I couldn't trust it.

When my mom saw me afterwards, she said to me..."You could have gone! they had fresh fruits and vegetables!"

My response to her was........"MOM! Is that all I'm worth eating is fruits and vegetables?!"

Then they proceeded to talk about the sub sandwiches cut into small servings! And I thought about the smell of subway! That was a bad day for me to think about Subway.

As for finding things to eat.......I make spaghetti, taco salad, nachos, stirfry beef and broccoli.....just about anything in the cook book can be made gluten free....so I run with it!

Even that gluten free pizza that someone posted on here not too long ago is a once a month treat for me!

Just bought some Schar's buns just so I could have a hamburger! Oh that was heaven!

If you go to a potluch, eat a big meal first - then nibble on the veggies to satisfy that crunch and still socialize looking like a person that can control their eating habits.......I look at everyone else eat now and think to myself..........OMG! You're eating like you haven't eaten in weeks! lol

Love ya all - we can have a lot of fun with this!

[jackay]

I do not eat at social situations. I always eat before I go and that makes it easier. I only trust my own preparing of fresh foods and cooking. Yes, it is hard. I sometimes feel like an oddball. It has gotten easier now that I am feeling better.

Too much emphasis is placed on food in our society. I just joined a group of eight for game night once a month. It involves the other seven in the group eating the whole evening. Of those seven, one is morbidly obese, four are quite a bit overweight and the other two could afford to lose a little. I just have to look around and pat myself on the back for eating sensibly. I often wonder if others eat so much because they are gluten intolerant and just don't know it.

[sandsurfgirl]

I go to MOPS at church (Mothers of Preschoolers) twice a month and a big part of it is the brunch. Tables take turns bringing and this Wed it's our turn. Well... my table was kind enough to say that everyone will bring gluten free for me that day.

So now I'm in a bind. They will CC the food I'm sure and how do I know that they know what gluten free is? I think I'll have to email them and figure a way to make it polite.

Trouble is I can't have dairy or soy either. UGH

[Peace41]

I hate potlucks. I was at a ladies bible study half the ladies were suppose to bring an egg dish and the other half a side dish or dessert. No gluten is hard enough but add no dairy it is worse. I know there are many people on here that have many other food issues then this but it sucks. Every egg dish had milk and cheese in it and the other dishes I could not eat either. There wasn't even any fresh fruit. Good thing I had brought hard boild eggs and some pumpkin bars.

My chruch is wonderful but most of their functions revolve around food and it is so hard, I always end up bringing my own and I just run out of ideas of my own to bring. Sometimes I just want to cry and half the time I end up not going because it is just to much on me.

Coming up with things to eat at home and feed my family is hard enough as it is let alone having to deal with potlucks. These days I guess I am just feeling a little overwhelmed. I go into church to volunteer twice a week and I am running out of ideas to take for lunch, getting tired of salad.

Oh well I am done whinning thank you for listening.

Have u talked to ur church about this. A church is suppose to be His family and His body, if one suffers or has to go through something then all is meant to go through it together. Usually a lot of people really don't think of the food problem, because they don't live with it, or at times is because they really don't want to offend that they will also put up with it. But we are to speak His truth in love with our neighbours, so that also includes those that are running these nights or functions. I did this to a local church, because my son couldn't stand the church organ and had to stay outside while it was being played or he would cry. They told me virtually tough and they wou8ld not turn it down at all nor change it, so they expected my son to stay outside, he was 11 at the time. I also didn't go to that church anymore and interceded about them. I find there are a lot of problems when u have sensitivities and health intolerances, but Lord Jesus Christ cares and He gave to us His ministery. And now that I have been diagnosed with a gluten intolerance, then our ministery and church will be gluten free friendly. We are also preparing creating a place and space, so our family in Christ can come and stay etc.....and these problems can be addressd and healing take palce along with errors released. And we will then serve Lord Jesus Christ and our family that has Gluten intolerance as well as other disabilities and every one of them. But for now it is about learning, receiving His solutions and then bringing them forth. And one day we will have our sanctuary and resting place, where people can come and rest in Him amen. Its our beautiful vision.

Peace41

[brianw]

I hate potlucks. I was at a ladies bible study half the ladies were suppose to bring an egg dish and the other half a side dish or dessert. No gluten is hard enough but add no dairy it is worse. I know there are many people on here that have many other food issues then this but it sucks. Every egg dish had milk and cheese in it and the other dishes I could not eat either. There wasn't even any fresh fruit. Good thing I had brought hard boild eggs and some pumpkin bars.

My chruch is wonderful but most of their functions revolve around food and it is so hard, I always end up bringing my own and I just run out of ideas of my own to bring. Sometimes I just want to cry and half the time I end up not going because it is just to much on me.

Coming up with things to eat at home and feed my family is hard enough as it is let alone having to deal with potlucks. These days I guess I am just feeling a little overwhelmed. I go into church to volunteer twice a week and I am running out of ideas to take for lunch, getting tired of salad.

Oh well I am done whinning thank you for listening.

Chrissy,

I have been gluten- and lactose-free since 1/25, and have already had several church dinners and potlucks even in that short time period. It's a challenge! My wife and I always take a dish or two that we know I can eat, and then I serve my plate before anyone else gets in line, before the serving utensils might possibly get cross-contaminated.

The things that has helped me the most is finding some other gluten-free people in my church. We look out for each other at events like this. We have taken turns cooking for each other, and sometimes we keep "our" food in the kitchen separate from everyone else's. If a caterer is involved, we help the caterer know how to cook something we can eat. It's nice that we can look out for one another. Perhaps you may find others in your church too.

I have had a couple of events in which I have had to sit at a table and eat nothing, simply content to talk with the people there while they eat. It's not worth the risk of getting sick, so I have to be patient and gracious in those cases.

My wife has found some great ways to modify her soup recipes and other kinds of things for potlucks. She's been fantastic! There are some simple things you can do without much trouble.

I know it's hard, and frustrating at times, but I hope you find a solution that brings a little more peace.

I hope this helps~

Brian