Whether it is a choice or not, having a gluten free diet is anything but easy. Simple things like going out to eat, grocery shopping or having dinner at a friends are not so simple for those who eat gluten free. For me it's not a choice. I have a disease called celiac which is severe allergy to gluten and can have serious consequences when exposed. Here are a few struggles we gluten free people can attest to:

1. Telling people you are gluten free and getting the eye roll in return.

Unfortunately, this response is very common. Most people are so narrow minded on the topic that they now associate you as a high maintenance individual. You know what's going through their head is probably, "Oh no, not one of those." I can honestly say that in the three years since I have found out I have celiac, I have probably got a positive response maybe three times.

2. Having to pay more for gluten free items.

Finding gluten free options makes you feel like you're on an episode of The Amazing Race. The places that do offer gluten free substitutes add significant up charges to your bill and going to the grocery store you can expect to pay double for any gluten free products.

3. "What do you eat?"

This is one of the most common questions asked when people find out you are gluten free. Then you tell, them and they act like they understand, but as the day goes on, they will ask you "is this gluten free?" "What about pizza?" "Can you eat this?" "Ugh I would kill myself if I couldn't eat bread." There are a lot of things in this world to eat people. Bread is just one of them!!

4. When deciding where to eat, everyone looks to you.

For the most part, you can find something gluten free wherever you go, but people never fail to make you feel like a burden when making plans. "Well you are the one with the special diet" they'll say. Especially if you're a go with the flow kid of person, this makes it a pretty difficult task.

5. The aftermath is you've been exposed to gluten.

Everyone responds differently, but its never good when this happens. Headaches, stomach aches, rashes, whatever it is, it is not fun. It is so hard to be sure whatever you eat is 100 percent gluten free because it is literally in everything.

6. The people who are "gluten free".

I say this with quotation marks because they tell everyone they are gluten free, but the next thing you know you see them eating a piece of pizza. I'm not here to tell anyone what to do, but if you want to eat that pizza, that's totally fine, but don't tell everyone you are gluten free. It's these type of people that give gluten free a bad name.

7. Constantly reminding people.

People offering you this and that and having to remind them politely that you can't have it. No matter how many times you tell someone, they'll probably forget and offer you something. They typically follow it up with an "oh yeah I totally forgot," "oh, duh," or "this has gluten?".

So, to those who make fun of, judge or tease people with who live this lifestyle, just be aware of the struggles they face and what they have to deal with. It's not easy, it's not a choice for everyone, and it's not always ideal, but it is what it is! To you gluten free people, keep doing you!