Throughout my college years, my friends would constantly ask me if I wanted to go out to eat at places like Buffalo Wild Wings and Chipotle. I know many people don’t see this is a problem, but to a girl who struggles with acid reflux, I was constantly finding excuses to stay home when my friends would go out to eat. For those of you who don’t know, acid reflux is basically when the acid that breaks down food in your stomach travels up your esophagus which burns and corrodes the esophageal lining. I have to avoid are mainly (surprise) acidic foods; lemons, tomatoes, garlic, oranges, etc.; which means I can’t have the “typical” college foods like pizza, salsa, and spicy wings.

My friends would either not understand why I couldn’t eat certain foods or forget about my acid reflux altogether. Since many college events are centered around food, socializing was difficult for me at some points, and if I did attempt to eat like a “typical” college student, I would often be throwing up and bedridden with horrible stomach cramps a half hour later. It seemed to be a lose-lose situation since I couldn’t have foods everyone else could and I couldn’t hang out with my friends over dinner.

Like any obstacle, I knew I had to find a way to either overcome or to live with it. Acid reflux is something that doesn’t go away, so I knew I had to change my lifestyle and eating habits to cope with my body as well as my friendships. I decided that I would not bend to anyone else’s will just to fit in because my health was much more important than my social status. I told all of my friends that I would be eating the foods I knew I could eat at the restaurants I knew I could eat at, and I asked my friends to confirm any restaurant with me if they wanted me to go out to eat with them. I was so nervous to be this bold about my health choices since I am typically a reserved person, but people reacted so much better than I thought they would. Those who are my true friends respect my decision to take care of my health. They are supportive to this day because they don’t want to see me in pain.

Acid reflux at first seemed to take away any control I had over my body. However, once I realized I could help myself, taking charged was the best thing I could’ve done. It was not easy to be bold and stand up for myself, but sometimes that’s what we have to do to be healthy whether that’s your physical, mental, or emotional health. Don’t be afraid to speak up and say no sometimes. Even though most people love things like Chipotle, you can decide for yourself if Chipotle really is your life.