I first heard the term “gluten-free” a few years ago while gathered around the food table at a party. The woman who stated she was gluten-free was standing – arms crossed – at the food table while the rest of us grazed like cattle over the delicious spread before us. The woman said her diet restricted her to eating only the corn chips and salsa at the table.
I was baffled. No cookies? No cake? No pasta? No sauces? No bread? No beer? How does one live this way? Surely her diet restrictions led her down a healthier path than mine as she was limited to fresh meat, fruit, dairy, rice, potatoes, vegetables, and most importantly, wine; however, I couldn’t imagine being restricted from things like pizza and Chinese food for the rest of my life.
A few cocktails later I was informed by the most trusted of sources – gossip – that this same woman has suffered from an eating disorder her whole life. Very clever, I thought. People would hound this gaunt-looking woman if she claimed to be on a diet, but if she claimed to have a legitimate autoimmune disorder, surely they would encourage her to snub the food at the table. It got me to wondering, how many people are using the term gluten-free to mask an eating disorder?
I did a little research on the gluten-free diet and learned that it is the only treatment for celiac disease. People with celiac disease who eat food containing gluten experience an immune reaction in the small intestine. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain and diarrhea. The number of people being diagnosed with celiac disease appears to be rising every year, and doctors believe there are hundreds of thousands of people whom have yet to be diagnosed. It is certainly a real thing, and a gluten-free diet is absolutely necessary for people suffering from celiac disease to live a normal, healthy lifestyle.
I’m not suggesting that everyone who follows a gluten-free diet has an eating disorder. What I am suggesting is that not everyone who follows a gluten-free diet has celiac disease. They may be using the diet to live a healthier lifestyle, but then again, they may be using it to mask an eating disorder in front of even close family members. You can’t really force a vegetarian to eat a fatty meat dish, and you certainly can’t force someone with what could be a legitimate autoimmune disorder to eat gluten.
I had a bulimic roommate in college. I never confronted her about it. In fact, if I am being totally honest, at the time it sort of pissed me off that she was eating my food and then leaving me with the disgusting task of cleaning the toilet. That is terrible. I know. For those of us who have had a love affair with food our whole lives, it can be difficult to understand an eating disorder. In fact, the only eating “disorder” I have ever had is an extreme aversion to ketchup and ranch dressing, though some might just call that un-American. Looking back, I cannot believe that I was too selfish to confront her. Looking back, I hate myself for ignoring her disorder. Looking back, I realize she needed me.
I guess what I am suggesting here is that you should perhaps be conscious of the idea that it is possible for someone to abuse the term “gluten-free diet.” If you suspect that someone close to you has struggled with an eating disorder and is now claiming to be gluten-free, perhaps you should find the courage to confront him or her in a loving and caring way. For that matter, if you suspect that someone close to you is struggling with an eating disorder at all, I think you should speak up. I wish I would have.
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Great post, Cass! I definitely agree that “gluten-free” dieting is on the rise and you now hear about it constantly and everyone is following it. Back when I was in my internship (4 years ago!) the gluten-free diet was a fairly new term in the world of dietetics. Celiac disease was still incredibly difficult to diagnosis, therefore you just didn’t hear much about it. It is a serious disease and can’t imagine willingly wanting to follow that diet, but I can assure you that people do. Must be the trendy thing to do these days?
I also know of people who put their small children on the diet as a preventative measure due to the “link” between gluten and autism. As a mother and a dietitian, this is all just super scary to me, as this diet eliminates countless important nutrients. I think you hit the nail on the head with this one. Well done!
countrary to mis-information out in the public – the gluten free diet does not eliminate any important nutrients. Grains such as wheat, rye, barley and oats are not at all important for a healthy diet.
Eating naturally – as close to earth as possible is said to be one of the best ways to ensure you are eating what your body needs and natural eating is nearly always naturally gluten free.
Cassie I have had bowel problems all my life. Was sent to the U of M Bowel Clinic and they could not find anything. Discouraged I never went back. Years later Katie read the book by Elizabeth Hasselbeck (please excuse me if spelled wrong) and told me I have all the symtoms that was in the book. She encouraged me to read it and try the diet. I happily tried it. Within a week I felt better then o ever did and had more energy then ever. I have been gluten free for over 2 years, I do cheat once awhile, but use Gluten Digest. It can be found in your nutritional stores. I have had some awful gluten free foods but have found that the company called Udi’s is the very best! I have never been clinically tested but my own personal test. But I can say I am gluten free and will stay gluten free.
Excellent post, Cassie. Thank you for taking the time to share this perspective.
What a coincidence, your post was written a week after a big brouhaha over this issue because of a stupid line on a sitcom. Come on admit it, that’s what inspired you! If people Google the sitcom line, this is what comes up. Well and legitimate sites about the gluten free diet.
Is there a reference to the sitcom line here that I am missing? An admission that this is not an original thought, that you stole the idea from a line in a TV show?
You probably should have waited a couple of weeks anyway.
Kellie James (comment #1) needs to demand her money back from the school where she studied to become a dietician. There have been gluten free diets since the 1940s.
No way to know if the corn chip eating woman you are judging in your post has an eating disorder or truly has to eat a gluten free diet. Got to read more here to see what other TV shows have inspired your posts.
Maureen –
An expression comes to mind regarding your super-tactful post: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
Ever heard of it? If you haven’t, I’m sure you can Google it. Or maybe learn about it from one of your television programs. My 18-month old daughter even knows about it.
If you read the post, I said Gluten-Free dieting is on the rise and it seems as though everyone is now following this diet, whether as a trend or as an actual diet prescription, as opposed to 5 years ago when it was still a somewhat up-and-coming trend and relatively “new” to the scene. I never once commented that it was newly invented.
I am certain that Cassie wrote this post as an original idea and I’m not sure that is was necessary for you to accuse her of stealing these thoughts from a TV show.
This is supposed to be a forum where women can share their thoughts and ideas with one another and feel supported, not bullied. It would probably be appreciated by everyone at The Mode Life if you took your cyber-bullying elsewhere.
I really enjoyed this article, but I have to call out the rude commenter on this post who seems to be trying to instigate some kind of a war by bad mouthing this blog and posting a link to it here: http://accustomedchaos.com/2-broke-girls-insults-gluten-free-diet#comments
I just don’t understand some people. If you disagree, fine disagree, but why go for the hurt like that?
Thanks, Nan. People are weird. I’m happy to say that Ms. McCabe has inspired my next blog post. Please keep an eye out for it over the next two weeks. I’ll be sure to post a link to it here once it is published.
Here you go!!!
http://themodelife.com/2011/12/09/mean-people-suck/