(9) There’s Never a Break From Gluten Free
While people on a variety of diets will allow themselves “cheat” days, or they don’t fret if they ate something outside of their diet parameters, there’s never a break from eating gluten free for those of us with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. We can’t eat just a little gluten and be okay. Ever. We constantly have to think about what we can and can’t eat.
For example, when someone offers me a piece of gum, I can’t take it without reading the label first. When I’m offered peanuts on an airplane, I must first read the label to make sure the manufacturer didn’t add gluten to the mix.
Furthermore, when I go to a wedding, restaurant or conference, there’s no break from having to discuss my diet with many people to ensure I get to eat alongside everyone else.
There’s never a break from the gluten-free diet. Period.
(10) No Dedicated Fryer?
I love French fries, so when I go out to eat and the restaurant does not have a dedicated fryer, I can’t help but feel a little bummed. OK, I know this struggle sounds silly, but I love French fries and it’s my reality.
I want restaurants to know that their gluten-free customers like French fries too but we can’t eat ’em if they’re cooked in a shared fryer that contains the same oil used to cook foods containing gluten (like chicken nuggets). I wish restaurants would keep their naturally gluten-free French fries gluten free.
(11) Planning Your Day Around Grocery Shopping
Until you’ve been gluten free for a few years, grocery shopping is such a chore. There’s no such thing as doing a quick shopping trip. When you’re at the grocery store, you’re at the grocery store for a while.
On top of that, you’ll find that one grocery store has the exact gluten-free bread you like, but the other grocery store carries the gluten-free pasta you want. It’s exhausting to have to shop at multiple places just to piece together a decent meal.
(12) “Gluten-Free Friendly” and “Gluten-Conscious” Menus
I hate “gluten-free friendly” and “gluten-conscious” menus. Blech. Restaurants use these confusing terms to get out of offering safe gluten-free meals for those who need it most. Hello Panera?
To me, these restaurants are just trying to cash in on the gluten-free “fad” without providing a safe meal for those of us who need it most. Shame on you.
Please, restaurants, just tell me if my food can be prepared gluten free or not. Please don’t give me the runaround. I just want to eat something safe and feel normal, okay?
(13) Domino’s, Papa Murphy’s and Papa John’s
These pizza joints offer gluten-free pizza that isn’t really gluten free. Domino’s, Papa Murphy’s and Papa John’s offer a gluten-free crust, yet they take no precautions to prepare a pizza in a way that is truly safe for someone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
In fact, Papa John’s says on its website that people with celiac disease should not eat its pizza. Huh? Isn’t this just admitting that you’re just cashing in on the gluten-free trend without care for those of us who need to eat gluten free for medical and/or health reasons?
Quit teasing me with food I can’t actually eat. You suck. Yep, I said that.
(14) Why Did You Put Gluten in Rice Krispies?
If you make a product with rice as the main ingredient, it should be a law that it must be gluten free. Please, please, please leave all rice products alone. Don’t ruin rice!
Honestly, it’s so darn confusing when manufacturers like Kellogg’s add things like barley malt to Rice Krispies, a product that should be a naturally gluten free but isn’t.
