Don't Give Me Gluten-Grief

I have seen several Facebook posts lately announcing that there is no reason to avoid gluten; there appears to be a backlash directed toward those who chose to follow a gluten-free diet. I wanted to put a face on this discussion. Eight years ago, I began having terrible abdominal pain. After several tests, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease—an autoimmune condition that causes chronic inflammation of the digestive system. I spent two horrible years taking many expensive drugs, enduring disgusting tests, and undergoing two surgeries. I weighed less than one hundred pounds, had no appetite, rarely slept, and worried constantly about whether I would ever feel healthy again. This chronic illness consumed all of my time and thoughts.

When no treatments eased my pain, my GI began talking to me about a third surgery. Before I would consider that, I went to a naturopath and took a series of food sensitivity tests. He came to the conclusion that I had difficult time digesting gluten. Soon after, my GI and family doctor both suggested I try a gluten free diet. Furthermore, I read of several studies that found that giving up gluten appeared to help patients with autoimmune disorders. I truly had nothing to lose, so I gave it a try.

For three weeks nothing changed, and then one day I woke up feeling better. My appetite returned, I gained back my lost weight, and returned to my normal, happy self. Six years later, I still have no sign of Crohn’s and I am a healthy, gluten-free woman.

I have read Facebook posts that claim that gluten-intolerance is all in one’s head. Perhaps that is true, but if my head was so easily swayed, I wonder why thousands of dollars in drugs and two surgeries didn’t convince it that I was actually healthy. Moreover, if it is just in my head and only a choice, what difference does that make to anyone, anyway? Vegetarianism is a choice for many thoughtful people; I don’t see it mocked in social media. I suspect some of this backlash is because there are people demanding gluten-free foods who are annoying in restaurants, but I am also pretty sure those people are just annoying—please don’t confuse my dietary needs with the reality that there are jerks in every crowd.

I am grateful every day for my health, and it is hurtful to see posts claiming that I am uneducated or silly when I don’t eat that wedding cake or doughnut. I hope before people ridicule this diet, they think of me and others like me and respect our desire to be healthy.