How Dealing With a Food Allergy Made Me Wiser | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

How Dealing With a Food Allergy Made Me Wiser

18
How Dealing With a Food Allergy Made Me Wiser

Five years ago, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, a multi-symptom auto-immune disease that can be treated with a gluten-free diet.

I don’t have a serious disease. I have a sickness that has a relatively easy fix. But it has had quite an impact on my life nonetheless. If I eat a little bit of gluten, it is not too much of an issue. I may feel sick for a little while, and then move on. But the long-term effects could be a little more catastrophic, which is why I have to stick to a gluten-free diet for the rest of my life.

Before my diagnosis, I always thought how happy I was that I didn’t have to worry about avoiding allergens in my diet. And then, just a few years later, I found myself in that very place. It seems like a small change, but it made me think about everyday life very differently.

I spent the first year of my gluten-free diet worrying about every meal I had in public. I even started to avoid going out with friends because I simply did not want to deal with the complications I faced.

After that first year, however, I began to figure out what I could eat, and things got easier. I stopped having to think about my diet as much as before, and I got used to it. I realized this was simply something I had to deal with, and that I could.

The kind of worry that I experience before mealtime is nothing compared to the worry that millions feel around the world every day. I worry that I may not find food that I will enjoy, while others worry that they may not find food at all. My worry is insignificant compared to that.

My disease has given me just the smallest glimpse into that kind of worry. Many of us do not worry about our next meal. In fact, we sometimes don’t even have to think about it at all. It is, therefore, something that we often take for granted.

I don’t pretend to know what it is like to go hungry. But a change in my diet made me think about the inequalities our world still holds more than I had before. I encourage you to thank God for the next meal that you eat, and to pray for those who may not have one.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl holding phone
NYCPRGIRLS

Now that it seems “talking” is the new way to date, and will stay that way until another idiotic term is used to describe the people who can’t settle down and just date someone, I feel as if it’s time to go over the unwritten rules of “talking.”

Rule 1. Having feeling without feeling.

Keep Reading...Show less
The Stages of Having FOMO in College
iamthatgirl.com

Are you one of those people that gets super upset when you miss out on anything? Well, you may have FOMO, or fear of missing out. In college it’s not hard to experience FOMO every once in a while. You just love doing everything and anything, so hen you have to miss out on something it's the worst possible thing in your mind. Whether you’re sick, have to work, or have so much work to do you could cry – FOMO will hit you hard in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Vivien Leigh
Revelist

I've lived a whole 21 years with an RBF (Resting Bitch Face), so naturally, I go through most of these struggles on a daily basis.

And before you ask, yes I'm fine. No, I'm not mad. This is just my face, so take it or leave it! To those of you who have been #blessed with an RBF, you'll probably relate to these more than you'd like to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Iconic Duos: Timeless Legends

From Luke and Leia to Beyonce's twins...

774700
Luke and Leia from Star Wars, a iconic duo
Lucasfilm

“Name a more iconic duo... I'll wait." OK, well, if you insist. In no particular order, here's a list of 100 iconic duos that seem to be timeless.

SEE MORE: This Is The ICONIC Disney Sidekick You Are To Your BFF, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

A Candid Letter to My Best Friends Ex

Because this is the real form of torture you deserve.

934
middle finger
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

What's up Asshat,

I've composed a list of things that I wish upon you, and they're harsh and cruel. These things are things that I wouldn't wish upon my worst of enemies, not even that Starbuck's barista who always screws up my order, not even him. You fall into a whole other category of hate. You surpass Starbucks barista. Congratulations, I'm actually a pretty nice person, making you worthy of every single bit of torture I wish upon you. What are these things I wish upon you you might ask?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments