For some of us, being gluten-free is not a choice or the latest fad, it is a lifestyle and a necessity for our health.

I was diagnosed with celiac disease last year and I never thought it would affect my social life as much as it has. Going to parties or BBQ's has a whole different feel than it used to. Social gatherings are usually always centered around food, that's how it has always been. From fancy dinners, to birthday parties to luncheons, food is the center of social get-togethers. There is so much ignorance and misunderstanding about celiac and gluten-sensitivity that it is really tough to live with this disease and not have to feel the need to justify all the decisions we make socially.

Eating out causes a lot of anxiety.

There are only a handful of restaurants that I can eat at. A lot of people don't understand that even if a restaurant has a gluten-free menu, it doesn't mean it is celiac safe. I can get sick from something as small as a crumb of gluten. Fast food is usually a no-go as well so if all my friends go out for a quick meal of burgers and fries, I usually can't join them. All my food has to be cooked in a separate area, with separate fryers and can not come into contact with gluten at all. There is a struggle with eating out because you have to compromise and you don't want to be seen as selfish or needy because you have to eat somewhere with gluten-free food. On the other hand, going to a restaurant that isn't gluten free and having to watch everyone eat is never fun, it really makes to feel left out and reminds you that you have this awful disease that makes you different from anyone else.

Explaining your diet to people sucks.

Celiac disease is complicated, it isn't an allergy to gluten but an autoimmune disease that affects every part of your body and mind. The worst thing about this disease is when people say that they could never live with being gluten-free. This statement irks me so much because people like me don't have a choice. We either eat gluten-free or get extremely ill. If you are at a party and can't eat anything, it is beyond annoying to have to explain all the facts about celiac disease and exactly why you can't eat the food.

All in all, living with celiac really does affect your social life and unfortunately a lot of your relationships. More and more people are starting to develop gluten sensitivities and celiac disease so we have to appreciate the ones who do respect us and stand by our side no matter what. :)