The "Full Investigation"-Living with Celiac
Updated: Mar 3, 2023
When I was diagnosed I did not know anyone with Celiac. I had no idea what did and did not have gluten in it. I began to learn as much as I could about Celiac. It was very overwhelming! If I had to define my life as a Celiac in two words I’d say: “FULL INVESTIGATION.”
I feel like I spend a great deal of time investigating food, restaurants, and locations…it’s exhausting!
For example:
I run into the grocery store to pick up salsa (our brand isn’t there)-I must do a FULL INVESTIGATION!
Going out to dinner with friends-I must do a FULL INVESTIGATION!
My daughter, who also has Celiac, is invited to a birthday party-I must do a FULL INVESTIGATION! After some interrogation of her friend's parents.
Going to a conference for work-There is a FULL INVESTIGATION!
Out with friends for the day-I must do a FULL INVESTIGATION!
Traveling-I must do a FULL INVESTIGATION!
Gone are the days when I'm asked to go somewhere and I grab my purse and run out the door. I need to pack food in case there is nothing available. I need to look into possible places to eat and review their menus. How close is the restaurant to where I will be? Will my friends like this restaurant as well? If it doesn't look like there is anything safe I need to eat before I go. Will I get sick after doing all of this? Will I have to get a plain salad with oil and vinegar-AGAIN!? As you know I could go on and on.
Life with Celiac is a life full of investigations and planning ahead. There are so many situations that people without dietary restrictions would NEVER even think about. This is our life. I joke about it because…well because you have to. It’s hard. Sometimes overwhelming but it is our life.
