When people find out I have this disease and have to be gluten free I always get questions and here are the answers.

1. What even is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder where the small intestine can't digest gluten which is found in wheat, rye, and barley. It's also genetic, so I had the possibility to get it because my dad has it.

2. How did you know for sure?

What I did have I had a blood test taken. When you get your results back they come back as negative, positive, or somewhere in the middle. My results came back as over the top positive so they knew right then that I had Celiac Disease.

3. Is it hard to live that way?

It's both. Compared to 10 years ago, gluten free alternatives are a lot more common and it's way easier to go out and eat. But, that being said it doesn't mean there aren't times that I struggle.

4. Are you sure you can have that?

This has to be one of the most frustrating questions I get. I know what I can and can't eat so please refrain from trying to make it seem like I don't, especially when you proceed to ask me any of the questions I've listed.

5. I'm sure one time won't hurt you

Every time hurts me. It's not something that results in bad things happening right away. It's not like being deadly allergic to bees, but the long-term results from continuing to eat gluten or getting cross-contamination can lead to bad things like cancer, so I'll stick to just not eating it at all. Plus, who wants to constantly deal with stomach aches? Not me.

6. What happens if you do eat gluten?

It's different for everyone. For me, I get really bad stomach aches and pains. For others, they can get really bad diarrhea or feel faint. Some people don't get any symptoms at all.

7. Wait what is gluten again

The first time I get a question about what it is I explain what it actually is. When I get a question after (which is so much you'd be surprised) this I have a very simple answer. Flour.

8. Can you have ___?

Probably not unless it says gluten-free or doesn't have wheat in it. People always seem to ask me if I can have potatoes, though, so here is the answer you've been dying to know. Yes, I can have potatoes.

9. What do you miss the most?

I mean, I'll always miss a ton of foods, but at the end of the day, I know it's better that I'm not eating them. What I miss the most is not having to struggle with going out to eat. When I go out to restaurants now I have to be really aware as well as ask in advance where we are going.

Hopefully, these answers have helped you when it comes to people having Celiac Disease. Not all of us get to choose to have a gluten free diet, we need to have it.