If you're having a bad day
For the past four months, this blog has remorsefully remained untouched, neglected and abandoned. Much like my Summer wardrobe during the blistering Winter months in Scotland. My main excuse is that for the most part, I have been snowed under with Uni work, general life and admittedly, a serious lack of inspiration.
I feel that for many of my readers, this blog is a safe outlet in which you can vent your frustration and chuckle at your misfortune. Recently, admittedly I have been having a bit of a wobble in relation to food. More bad days than good, resulting in me feeling woes of isolation and despair. Why can't I be one of the normal people that go out for something to eat without pangs of anxiety and deep-rooted distress? I am someone that has always enjoyed the social aspect of eating out, mingling outside your normal home surroundings and the ease (I use this term loosely) of simply popping in the car to your local curry house facilitates without the mountain of dishes to tackle at the end.
I realised the other day that I have taken a few steps back in regards to the anxiety aspect of dining out, however, I need to keep reminding myself (and listening to my Boyfriend when he does) that I have come a tremendous way with food since before D-day. Hence my reappearence on the blog.
Before my diagnosis, I would say that my diet was 90% veggie and I was admittedly one of the pickiest eaters around - much to my Boyfriend's dismay. I would never have dreamed of digesting red meat, fish or eggs as I was never forced to as a child and they simply just did not appeal to me. As many of you will be aware of, it is extremely difficult to eat out on a gluten-free diet when not consuming any of the aforementioned food groups. Slowly, and with extensive persuasion and encouragement, I have introduced these additional items into my diet which has immensely improved my dining experiences and also helped me achieve a balanced, protein-rich diet. Something which I have always struggled to maintain my macros on.
Now I know from discussing with others that you will always encounter individuals with a lack of awareness, understanding and compassion. I've had countless comments made, of both a jokey and snarky nature, that I always batter on about gluten-free. However, when reminded of the simple fact that food you know... keeps you alive, well and ticking coupled with honing a serious, debilitating condition which causes consumption of this heavenly life source to be restraining and prohibiting, you are allowed to shout it from the rooftops when you find Morrisons' have extended their free from section, or when your local restaurant implements a new free from menu. Unashamedly, I have let out a squeal each time I find a new GF discovery. Taste buds, yer' in for a treat.
On reflection, this blog post is a big of a moany, rambled mess. A bit like my life, ha. On a serious note, if you are having a bad or off day, remember the simple fact of how far you have come, both mentality and physically. If someone grumbles at you, makes a snarky comment, leaves you out of a social gathering, lets out a sigh when you ask for additional information on a menu whilst muttering to a colleague "it's just a fad diet". Keep your head held high and remember four simple words.
No condition, no opinion.
I feel that for many of my readers, this blog is a safe outlet in which you can vent your frustration and chuckle at your misfortune. Recently, admittedly I have been having a bit of a wobble in relation to food. More bad days than good, resulting in me feeling woes of isolation and despair. Why can't I be one of the normal people that go out for something to eat without pangs of anxiety and deep-rooted distress? I am someone that has always enjoyed the social aspect of eating out, mingling outside your normal home surroundings and the ease (I use this term loosely) of simply popping in the car to your local curry house facilitates without the mountain of dishes to tackle at the end.
I realised the other day that I have taken a few steps back in regards to the anxiety aspect of dining out, however, I need to keep reminding myself (and listening to my Boyfriend when he does) that I have come a tremendous way with food since before D-day. Hence my reappearence on the blog.
Before my diagnosis, I would say that my diet was 90% veggie and I was admittedly one of the pickiest eaters around - much to my Boyfriend's dismay. I would never have dreamed of digesting red meat, fish or eggs as I was never forced to as a child and they simply just did not appeal to me. As many of you will be aware of, it is extremely difficult to eat out on a gluten-free diet when not consuming any of the aforementioned food groups. Slowly, and with extensive persuasion and encouragement, I have introduced these additional items into my diet which has immensely improved my dining experiences and also helped me achieve a balanced, protein-rich diet. Something which I have always struggled to maintain my macros on.
Now I know from discussing with others that you will always encounter individuals with a lack of awareness, understanding and compassion. I've had countless comments made, of both a jokey and snarky nature, that I always batter on about gluten-free. However, when reminded of the simple fact that food you know... keeps you alive, well and ticking coupled with honing a serious, debilitating condition which causes consumption of this heavenly life source to be restraining and prohibiting, you are allowed to shout it from the rooftops when you find Morrisons' have extended their free from section, or when your local restaurant implements a new free from menu. Unashamedly, I have let out a squeal each time I find a new GF discovery. Taste buds, yer' in for a treat.
On reflection, this blog post is a big of a moany, rambled mess. A bit like my life, ha. On a serious note, if you are having a bad or off day, remember the simple fact of how far you have come, both mentality and physically. If someone grumbles at you, makes a snarky comment, leaves you out of a social gathering, lets out a sigh when you ask for additional information on a menu whilst muttering to a colleague "it's just a fad diet". Keep your head held high and remember four simple words.
No condition, no opinion.
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