Ok. School is out. I can relax more. Still occupied, but more relaxed. And I can get back more into blogging. Woot!
Over the past couple of years--whether seeing my dad and brother answer questions or now myself dealing with the same situations-- I've noticed the same questions popping up about food.
As I'm getting back into my Julie/Julia moment, I thought it would be good to address some of these questions.(I am not a registered gastroenterologist. I am not a doctor of any kind. If you have serious questions about celiac disease or a gluten-free diet, go to a real doctor or dietician. Like now.)
So what happens if you eat gluten? (Usually asked while eating)
*poot*
That's what I would like to say, but actually it depends on the person.
For me, it can be described in a couple of different ways. It feels like an alien is about to pop out of my stomach; like someone threw a rock into washing machine; and like my stomach tried to fold itself into a paper crane, but ended up being a crumpled piece of paper. And that's just the initial pain.
Typically, I don't feel that cramping and twisting and writhing until the day after I eat gluten. Also, I get really achy like I have a fever, but I don't have a temp. I can't get enough water.
For the next two weeks+, I have to deal with the gluten getting out of my system. I'll refer back to what I would first like to say.
So it's an allergy?
I usually tell people, "Sort of". My throat doesn't swell up. I don't sneeze. I know some people do break out into a kind of rash if they continue to eat gluten. But actually, it's more of a disease where the gluten inflames my intestines, and I can't digest food correctly. That leads to a whole lot of issues.
Can you just pick off the croutons/fried chicken skin/crust of the bread?
Can you wipe off germs if I sneeze on a salad?
Oh..... Sorry. I didn't mean to talk about how good this was.
Don't feel bad about talking about something delicious. I can live vicariously just as well as anybody else. You shouldn't have to feel bad about enjoying what you're eating. What makes me sigh is that, every time you do enjoy it, you remind me by pitying me. I appreciate the kindness and empathy, but I don't need the regular pity party.
I wish you could try this.
No. I don't. Read above as to what happens to me.
Can you eat this bread? Can you eat (fill in the blank)?
It's amazing how many times I will get asked this question. I wonder if it's just a natural human reaction to think a slight change might mean I can possibly eat it. "Can you eat whole wheat bread instead of white bread?" "Well you can have rice krispies, right?" 97 out of 100 the answer will probably be "Nope". However, when I can say yes, I play that up.
Can't you eat just a little bit?
Nope. Unfortunately, this isn't something I can just cheat on. If that were the case, I think everyone would do it. But no, even the smallest bit, even when it touches other food like the croutons, food in the same fryer, food touching the same counter space (like pizza dough), my stomach becomes the Titanic.
What's wrong with soy sauce? Isn't soy sauce made from soy?
Yeah! What's wrong with soy sauce?!? Why does it even need that wheat in there? It's got soy. It's good enough.
Now, there is tamari sauce for my alcohol-drinking friends. It's basically soy and alcohol. Tamari is a great substitute, and some restaurants can easily accommodate for that request instead of regular soy sauce.
As a Baha'i, I need to avoid consuming alcohol in my diet--whether drinking or cooking with it. Fortunately, there's a brand that I can get locally that is a gluten-free soy sauce. I'd hate to have to special order.
It's alright. It doesn't have any gluten. It's just tempura.
Ok. I can understand most people not know about celiac and which foods do and don't have gluten. But if you work in the restaurant business, you have zero. excuse.
You work with food day in and day out. You don't need to know the details of celiac disease, but I do expect for you to know what is in your food. I expect for your waiting staff to know too. Also, if the dish has some sort of drizzle or embellishment that's not on the menu, write it down or let me know. I don't want to order something just to find out I can't eat it as soon as I get it.
