Being allergic to gluten is the new black. Apparently. Just about everywhere I go, I hear people say they ‘can’t eat gluten. It makes me feel bloated’.
My favourite bit is when they next say ‘I know EXACTLY how it feels to have diabetes and not be able to eat sugar. When I eat a piece of bread containing gluten I get bloated. I feel really uncomfortable.’ Usually I ignore them whilst I mentally picture myself strangling them until they admit they’re stupid.
The other day I forgot. I snapped ‘actually you don’t know AT ALL what it’s like to have diabetes. I do. I have it. And I can eat sugar. And your perceived little bit of discomfort when you eat bread? Believe me; it’s NOTHING like living with diabetes’.
A couple of years ago, we held a diabetes and coeliac information session as part of Diabetes Australia – Vic’s World Diabetes Day activities. Prior to this event, I had only a basic understanding of coeliac disease which basically consisted of me dutifully having a screening blood test every couple of years which, fortunately for me, has always come back negative. I was fascinated to hear about just how meticulous people with diagnosed coeliac disease have to be in their avoidance of gluten. Different toasters…different tubs of margarine. A crumb of gluten-containing bread can cause symptoms.
After this information session, my tolerance of people being ‘gluten intolerant’ went from about 1.2 out of 10 to, oh, I don’t know, minus one squillion.
At Christmas last year, I sat at a table laden with the most incredible, delectable food imaginable. Everyone in the family had contributed their specialty. A veritable feast! ‘Where’s the gluten free bread?’ someone asked. My head snapped around to hear who had asked that question.
Now, my family collects autoimmune conditions as others collect china cats, so I thought that perhaps someone had been diagnosed with coeliac disease. ‘I’ll have some of that when you’re done’, said someone else. ‘Me too. I get bloated when I eat wheat,’ said another. ‘Does everyone here coeliac disease all of a sudden?’ I asked, trying desperately to keep the contempt out of my voice. I don’t think I succeeded, judging by the sideways glance my sister threw my way. ‘Yeah. Maybe. Well, not diagnosed, but you know, I feel bloated when I eat gluten,’ said one.
There were general sounds of agreement from three others at the table. “Oh yes,” said another. “I never eat bread with gluten.” I noticed, however, that she ate more than a few of my mother’s amazing zippoli (Italian donuts). Ah – so it’s an intolerance that chooses what it can eat. I want that! I want diabetes that reacts by sending my BGL out of range for no apparent reason only when I eat spinach. On a Tuesday. In months ending with an ‘e’. It would be great to pick and choose like that!
Here’s the thing. If people really, legitimately feel that eating something upsets their digestive system, see a doctor and have it tested. Swanning around claiming to be allergic to things or being intolerant of certain food groups minimises the seriousness of those who have life-threatening allergies and those who have conditions where food really is a consideration.
First world, bourgeoisie problems! (Grumpy rant over.)
Information about Coeliac Disease can be found here.
Diabetogenic 
9 comments
Comments feed for this article
February 13, 2012 at 2:34 pm
mairi-anne macartney
I AGREE 100%, it appears that you must have an intolerance to something these days…. every one i speak to is the same. Well I have ONE intolerance
too……. Im fed up with people climibing on the self diagnosed wagon without getting anything checked out by …say…..a Doctor”!!!!!
Worse is when someone asks me about how Tess is doing and before I answer they or someone else tells me there latest illness. What happened to
health?
LikeLike
February 13, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Jeann
I love you when you are angry, Renza!
LikeLike
February 13, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Emma
On the other hand, it’s everyone’s own business what they want to put in their mouth. I’m totally with you that people comparing their mild intolerances to something as life altering as diabetes is wrong, but if someone feels that a certain type of food makes them feel worse, who are we to say that they should just suck it up and eat that food anyway? Even if they can’t be shown to be intolerant by a test, does that mean they should keep eating whatever doesn’t make them feel good?
IMO, it annoys me when people compare their mild issues with diabetes (mostly because I don’t agree with comparing hardships in general – everyone is coming at it from a different perspective), but I couldn’t care less if someone chooses not to eat a particular food. As far as I’m concerned, that is their own business. I don’t think someone with this kind of intolerance should expect other people to cater for their needs, but if they choose to bring along their own gluten free bread and eat it, what is the big deal?
LikeLike
February 14, 2012 at 10:21 pm
Rosa Spencer
I have been diagnosed as gluten and lactose intolerant and allergic to MSG (another thing lots of people have trouble accepting as a “real” problem). What’s happened since I stopped eating gluten and lactose foods is that I not only feel more comfortable – no bloating, no cramps, no vomiting or diarrhea, no difficulty breathing, no sleeping half seated to get some air into my lungs, no throat constrictions, rashes etc. etc. – but also many of my immune system disorders, not to mention my general health and well being, have proven easier to manage. I have also lost a reasonable amount of weight, as has my sister (the undiagnosed one) who went on a gluten and lactose free diet. The loss of weight has proven helpful with managing heart disease, blood pressure, diabetes joint issues and some digestive issues.
I am not coeliac. When I was first diagnosed as having an intolerance, I immediately went on my special eating plan. My specialist physician (the one that makes sense for me of the various diagnoses I get from my neurologist, neurosurgeon, rheumatologist, endocrinologist, respiratory physician, cardiologist, gastroenterologist and gynaenocologist) suggested a test for coeliac. Problem was I had to eat gluten products for a while to make the test reliable. I wasn’t prepared to do so, such was the difference in how I felt on a gluten free diet. (I have since been tested, during a hospital stay).
One thing about gluten intolerance, any intolerance (not allergy) generally, is that you are not asked to go off that particular food permanently, but to retry after an interval to see if you might be able to tolerate it better. I have not been able to tolerate gluten or lactose better. I am also intolerant to citrus, but can have an orange a month or a squeeze of lime on my fish. There is a great deal of diversity on how people react at different times and how different people react to various intolerances.
As for people having to have their intolerances tested, the tests are not covered by medicare or private health funds; there are several and they cost between $300 and $400 each, even if referred by a GP or gastroenterologist. I can understand why some people rely on their own experience. I call it taking responsibility for your own health.
You need more information, as you are actually disseminating misinformation and fostering intolerance (pardon the pun). Check the work that Monash University is doing on non coeliac gluten intolerance and have a look also at the book they sell on their website on the FODMAPs diet. I would be interested to hear what you might have to say after you have done this research.
On a more personal note, eating a small zippola (I’ve had 3 in the past 3 years) at Christmas is a long family tradition full, at this time in our lives, of nostalgia and shared memories. Worth the discomfort on that one night of the year.
As for your diabetes being serious, while other conditions are not – it’s not a competition.
LikeLike
February 15, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Kristy
That’s three less zippoli for me, Rosa! Selfish! And Renza, word of advice – do not annoy people who have a restricted carbohydrate intake. Playing with fire. 😉
LikeLike
February 15, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Jess
I think the post from Rosa may have actually proven Renza’s point. Having teh ability to eat something and suffer the consequences is actually not available to anyone with anaphylaxis. My son is allergic/anaphylactic to dairy. Discomfort isn’t the effect if we decide that nostaligia or ‘shared memories’ are a good enough reason for him to have a sip of milk (bit of yogurt, cheese, ice cream etc). The effact is adrenalin (epi pen) and possibly a visit to the hospital.
Also, was Renza saying that it’s a competition? I didn’t read that into it. I have type 1 diabetes and come here beciase that’s what she writes about. I am probably more than a little biased.
I like the debate though. Rosa- Are you part of REnza’s family? Is Christmas lunch going to be awkward this year?
LikeLike
February 15, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Rosa Spencer
Jess, I do understand, and did allude to the difference between an intolerance, though these vary in severity, and an allergy; in my case the gluten is an intolerance, the MSG an allergy which has necessitated rushing to hospital.
Kristy, being on a gluten free diet does not exclude carbs – rice, corn, millet, quinoa, potato etc are fine, but I get the message – you want all the zippoli.
Yes Jess, Renza and I are related but, forget the uncomfortable Christmases; in our family we always call it as it is and discussion can be vigorous, but not the cause for awkwardness. we may, however, continue to ask for gluten free bread to go with the gluten free incredible, delectable food just to watch Renza’s head snap around.
LikeLike
February 18, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Lisa
I love the heated debate….. But I do have to agree with Renza on the current trend of being “intolerant”. It seems there are “gluten intolerate” people everywhere you go (I’m not including Rosa and her sister here). I don’t wish to belittle the real “intolerants”, nor the allergic’s, but even they must get sick of the wannabees everywhere.
LikeLike
February 21, 2012 at 9:29 am
Rosa Spencer
What concerns me in not so much the wannabees – because I can’t think of any reason why anybody would want or choose to be gluten intolerant , it’s expensive and inconvenient – but the fact that SOME non diagnosed people who believe that they are gluten intolerant because they feel ill when eating wheat may in fact actually be coeliac or fructose/fructan intolerant. There is information about the incidence of coeliac illness and other potentially serious intolerances in non tested gluten intolerant people that I found via the Monash website. I certainly agree that people should be tested if their blood test doesn’t exclude the illness.
One big advantage to having so many people requesting gluten and/or lactose free or MSG free foods is that many restaurants (from some of my locals to Florentinos) now provide these alternatives, including delicious gluten & dairy free breads, pastas, deserts etc. and yummy MSG free Korean and Japanese food. This surely can only be a good thing. Especially for coeliacs. I have a friend who for many years couldn’t eat out and now finds that she is far better catered for.
LikeLike