Celiac Disease is an auto immune disease where a person cannot ingest gluten. Gluten is not just wheat. Some people break out into rashes, some get violently ill with their stomach, and there have been stories where people have had seizures from Celiac. As somebody who has been living with Celiac Disease for nine years now, this illness can be fatal if not managed correctly. The pain people with Celiac experience if they accidentally ingest gluten is unbearable. Some people are very understanding about this disease, while others do not take it seriously. Some people with Celiac have to be hospitalized if it gets bad enough, which can lead to more autoimmune diseases. Here's six things people with Celiac Disease wish people would stop saying.
1. So that means you can't eat just bread and pasta right?
Surprising to many, gluten is also found in preservatives in foods. It is also in things like bread and pasta, but it is not limited to those. Gluten is in so many other things you would not expect. I spend a large chunk of time reading labels and sometimes even calling food companies if necessary.
2. What if you eat gluten? Can't you just eat one slice of pizza?
Even minuscule amounts will cause me unbearable symptoms. Unfortunately, even cross contamination in a kitchen can cause problems for me. I make sure people preparing my foods are aware of my medical condition. I do everything in my power to avoid gluten at all costs. No amount of pizza is worth the pain.
3. Oh yeah! I know someone who does this! It's the new diet, you do not need to lose weight though!
Actually, I have a disease and I am not trying to hop on the fad diet bandwagon. I have to make sure my food does not touch any gluten because it is a disease not a diet.
4. What can you eat really?
Everything. You can make any meal and any dessert gluten free. It is not a hassle, it would be like cooking anything else. You just have to buy different things to substitute, but honestly, it's not that hard.
5. It must suck to have this, I am sorry.
On the contrary, it does not suck. I eat the same as anyone else, but healthier. Yes, I have to ask every restaurant about cross contamination, but I would do rather that than get sick. Having Celiac has only made me a stronger person.
6. Joking in general about my disease.
I have seen many instances where people have joked about my disease. At the end of the day, it is a disease and should be taken seriously. Do not joke about my illness, there is a time and place for everything, making fun of a disease is not the right thing to do.
