Stupid things people say when you mention gluten free - part 2

Daily struggles being gluten intolerant (light-hearted) - Part 2

Ever since the success of my first blog post “21 stupid things people say when you mention gluten free”, I felt inspired to create a follow up with the help of my lovely readers. Now, I received a little stick after my first post with people banging on about using it as an opportunity to educate folk who express such comments and not to poke fun at them as such. I want to point out that this is intended to be a humorous, light-hearted post for people to resonate with. 

Knowing that you aren't alone in the world with a particular symptomatic disease/disorder, whether it be anxiety, depression, endometriosis (or the shits and giggles symptoms gluten causes), provides a sense of relief that you aren't alone and gives you the relief feeling of "haha, I've been there!".  Now, of course if I hear a 'silly' comment, or a condescending remark regarding the "fad" diet that it is mistakingly made out to be, I use it as an opportunity to politely educate and raise awareness, however... when your battling with a wannabe Gillian McKeith on whether or not your symptoms are real, the grin and bear it tactic - the struggle is real. 

The people that don't understand cross contamination...

"Oh, I'll just pick the croutons out for you. It'll be fine" 
"Oh! I've no gluten free bread... I'll just take the filling out a normal sandwich and use that"
"So... just how sensitive are you?"
"Just a little won't matter, she won't even notice" - overheard by the ex-friend who was supposed to be cooking me a gluten free meal... needless to say I didn't eat it. 

The people that don't understand what gluten is... 

From a friend "Oh, I know you can't have bread... what about some toast?"
"Good news! These cakes are vegan"
"Oh, that's ok then. Just cut out bread and you'll be fine"
"So you can't eat potatoes or dairy?!"
"Its fine it's organic"
"Yes it's gluten free... it contains no dairy!"
"Do you use cutlery?"
"I know you can't eat biscuits... will a cracker do instead?"
"It's not suitable," said the waiter, "It contains rice"
"Tomatoes are gluten free. right?"
"When on a first date, he told the server I was a fussy eater... It was also our last date!"
"Someone told me that my son would grow out of out of it... so I made them stand and listen to my rant about autoimmune diseases and that it's not an ADD".
When people say... "Oh I think I'm a bit like that too!" whilst tucking into a BLT from Greggs... uh?!
"Oh... I'll not put any cream in your sauce"
"Do you cheat? I'm gluten free, well not diagnosed I just follow the cutting out bread part"

Finally, the people that have zero understanding, or willingness to understand... 

"It's a fad diet... It'll pass!"
"You're just a fussy eater", said the nurse.
"We can't guarantee anything will be safe, why don't you just go somewhere else and come join your family later? I have literally been kicked out of a restaurant. It's a struggle".

Thank you to my lovely readers for your honest input. Laughter sometimes really is the best medicine. Especially with this condition! If you can't laugh at your own misfortune, when can you?! 

If you have any niggles that you'd like to express. Please be my guest... vent away! 


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