People have questions when it comes to my gluten free necessity and choice and I answer a few of them below.
How long have you been gluten free? I have been gluten free for 11+ years. It's hard to know exactly how long it's been because in the first year or two, I was not completely gluten free. It's a hard process to turn your entire eating habits around.
When I first tell someone I am gluten free their first response is, "yuck, how can you eat that stuff"? I don't think they fully realize that being gluten free is gross. They don't seem to realize that, they might have at least one food item that they dislike, and would ask the same question about that particular food item, whether it be gluten free or not. Is gluten free food truly a "yuck" response food? I would say not, yes there are certain brands of gluten free items that I would consider to bland, but never to the point of never eating it.
Some people don't realize that are many gluten free foods that they probably consume, Vegetables, fruits, meat, coffee, tea, dairy and a few grains just to name a few.
Don't you miss your carbohydrates and desserts? Trust me, being gluten free doesn't mean you stop eating foods loaded with carbohydrates or delicious desserts. On the contrary, most gluten replacements for flour are even higher in carbohydrates. When it comes to desserts, there are plenty alternatives for desserts that are absolutely delicious.
Can you eat out? Yes, yes, yes. There are plenty of restaurants and fast food places that have gluten free options. (Here is a list of places I go in northern Illinois). :)
Do you feel bad when people eat gluten filled food in front of you? No, absolutely not. Just because I can not and will not consume gluten does not make me wish others did not! Yes, when I see people eating donuts I wish some place served fresh inexpensive gluten free donuts. Or when I see all the cheesecake options, I wish more were gluten free friendly at the Cheesecake Factory. There are a few Polish dishes and desserts that I wish were gluten free friendly as well.
Will you be gluten free, FOREVER? Yes, I mean, I want to live a long and healthy life, and one of the ways my body will achieve this goal, is by staying away from any and all gluten. As, I have mentioned in a previous post, "I choose to live a gluten free lifestyle because I don't enjoy feeling like garbage shortly after consuming gluten, but I also don't want to face more long term problems down the road!" Just like in anything, we make choices, whether with the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the route we drive, or even the thoughts we let consume our mind. There is a choice, and my choice it to live a life without consuming gluten foods.
Does your family avoid gluten? My husband is not gluten free, however when it comes to most meals in our household they are gluten free. Why make two different meals?! Most of the food in our house is gluten free friendly besides a loaf of bread, some soup, and some candy!
When you have company over do you make everything gluten free? I have been working hard at making most dishes gluten free even for guests. Most do not complain, but once in a while I will have someone not eat something because it's gluten free. A few items I don't make gluten free pancakes, buns, and pasta, for more than 4 non-gluten free guests. At that point I make non-gluten free dishes and gluten free dishes.
