Lying With My Fingers Crossed

Every week day from 12:45 to 1:15 pm you can find me in the cafeteria at work munching down on a homemade gluten free meal as I'm surrounded by co-workers who are busy eating gluten-filled pizza, fried things and more. Besides the fact that I secretly envy their ability to eat whatever they want without exploding on 1 or both ends (TMI?), I try my best to one-up them with my gluten free pastas, sandwiches and yummy desserts - but the thing is that they don't even know it.

You could probably call me the newbie as I've only been employed here for about 2 months now. This could also be defined by the fact that none of my lunch buddies know that I have Celiac Disease yet. With meals that look like they're filled with gluten, I haven't had the opportunity to let my eating habits become known. This seems like a topic that could easily be brought up during lunch but I can't seem to find a way to drop the bomb without sounding sorry for myself or seeming random.

I wish there was some kind of social formula that could tell me the best time to bring up my autoimmune disease because, as time goes on, first speaking of this fact turns into a bigger and bigger deal for everyone involved. Maybe I should start just introducing myself by saying, "Hi, I'm Amanda. Don't feed me gluten if you don't want me stuck on the toilet for 10 hours."... Or something like that.

I know I'm being dramatic but after having lunch with the same people for 8 weeks now, I almost feel like maybe I'm secretly trying to hide the fact that I'm gluten free. However, it's been going on so long that I don't know how to turn this secret into common knowledge to my new co-workers. I mean, it is fun going along when they talk about how I should try out the new Chinese restaurant in town or bonding over some food that I haven't honestly eaten since before my diagnosis. How do I bring it up without them realizing I've been keeping it a secret?

Does anyone else subconsciously see how long you can go knowing someone without them figuring out that you have Celiac Disease? Or am I the only one?

Gluten Free As An Oxymoron

"I need to lose a few pounds so I think I'll go gluten free' = the most annoying and inaccurate statement ever. We all know a person or two (or a dozen) who have uttered such a phrase and it makes me cringe every time as there is a major difference of eating gluten free and taking bread out of your diet. I can vouch for this as I eat (gf) bread on a daily basis and let's just say that my pants are more likely getting tighter than looser.

The second after I was finally properly diagnosed, my doctor told me point blank that I would probably gain weight as I would actually be fully digesting my food for once. What he didn't mention was the fact that gluten free foods have additives and lead to an even more unhealthy solution as they also lack the elements that could make that food item better for you. The moral of the story is that the purpose of eating gluten free food is not to lose weight - it's to wake up energized, without stomach pain or the need to use the bathroom every 5 seconds (in my case).

Are you thinking about cutting bread and carbs out of your diet? My only advice is to be a little more specific about your new weight loss plan as you could be reciting a phrase that makes all celiac diseasers laugh behind your back!