At least, I feel that way. 

Feel Free to stick up.

Now this mostly goes for the husbands and friends of an introvert (points to self). I have a hard time ordering food. I don't know what it is but it always makes me anxious and nervous eating at a new place or somewhere where I know there aren't many GF options. In the back of my mind I'm waiting for the waiter to give me the dumb look when I ask if an item on the menu is gluten free.
My husband has learned that he sometimes needs to just ask straight up for me if I'm having trouble. One of my favorite things he does is if I order a salad and forget to tell them no croutons
(I usually don't say anything because I don't have Celiac where having a crouton touch my salad would be an issue. I'd only have an issue if I actually ate the crouton).
He ALWAYS remembers and will tell the waiter for me and not in a way that draws attention to me.

While this is really small and silly, it really shows me his support. He always asks our local ice cream shop what flavors are gluten free when he goes to get our weekly ice cream, and he asks/finds the allergy menus so I can find something to eat when we eat out.
As long as you know it helps the person and they know you are helping, stick up for them, help them out!

Its ok to eat gluten in front of me/us.

This one may be a little biased. Mostly because I've learned to just deal with it and it is kind of selfish to expect my husband to eat gluten free when we go out to eat when he doesn't need to.

He has learned this doesn't bug me and the only time it did was on our honeymoon when he sat in front of me and ate 6 beignets as we sat on the waterfront in Savannah. 

However, for everyone else, know it is ok to eat gluten filled goodness in front of us.

I think a lot of people with gluten intolerance, allergies, and even Celiacs Disease understand that not everyone gets to be on the special lifestyle train with us cool people.
We don't need you to justify or apologize for eating that Olive Garden bread stick in front of us.

Its ok. Just act normal.

Don't act like we are children in need of special attention

This kind of goes along with the first tip.

Even though I love my husband and that he will stick up for me when I need help ordering food, he also doesn't baby me. He doesn't make a spectacle in a restaurant and points out that I am "gluten free" and need special assistant. Even though I am an introvert, push comes to shove, I can deal with my gluten allergy on my own and can stick up for myself and order my own food.

As you can tell this is one I am very passionate about because I feel like many people see those of us living this lifestyle as "special". And while we are special in a certain way we don't need to be pointed out like the multicolored cow in the middle of the room.

I have had too many experiences with people (intentional or not) pointing me out at table to the waiter who then comes over and talks to me like I'm 6. 

Like i said in the first tip,we like the help, but do it in the right way and not like I just described. 

Cater but also don't Cater

I have a dear friend who had a great balance of catering our weekly dinner get together to my allergy but also doing it in a way that didn't make me feel bad or an inconvenience. I think how she did is is a great example of how you can be a great host to someone with gluten issues and in turn show your support.

She would aways let me know what she was making and asked what she could do to make it GF.
And if it was too difficult or complicated, she was always open to letting me bring my own additions to the meal so I could eat it. 

Us GF peeps understand the whole world is not catered to us so we are NOT offended if you can't make your entire meal GF. Don't make it harder on yourself! 

I know myself, I like to bring my own additions just so I know there is something I can eat, and if I can do that without offending the host, thats a plus. 

Offer to cater the meal but don't be offended if we protest and offer to bring our own food. And again don't make it harder on yourself. Gluten Free cooking is a pain the butt sometimes, so leave it to us to figure it out. :) 

Never assume, always ask

This kind correlates a little bit with the last one. If you are not sure if what you are making for your GF friend is indeed GLUTEN FREE, please ask. I have had so many family member and friends make me things and then I realize later (after some belly pain) that it wasn't gluten free. 

Please understand that what YOU think is gluten free might not be!

We can't always catch the gluten, especially when someone close to us has made it and tells us so. We trust you so if you aren't sure or want to double check, ALWAYS DO SO. We are not anoyed or offended. We are happy to answer questions. 

Now, I say this from PAST experience, I have gotten much better about it now and even if someone close to me has made it, I always double check. But if you are the one making the dish, save us the time (and possibly offending you) by asking us about it and letting us check the ingredients.

We are still normal
I think bottom line is that we are normal people just living a special lifestyle. Be considerate but not also don't make us the center of attention.


I hope some people can relate to this. I know not everyone will. I'm a very introverted person by nature so I tend to not like it when something is about me or I get put in the spotlight.




I'd love to hear some of your tips and advice on being supportive for your gluten free lifestyle!
We all need it, just in the right way and approach!


P.S this article made me laugh. Basically is what NOT to say to someone who is gluten free and it is 100% accurate lol
http://www.buzzfeed.com/alisonvingiano/things-people-who-are-actually-gluten-free-are-tired-of-hear#.uadmmR7Xpy

P.P.S to all my family and friends reading this. Know I am not pointing out anyone specifically. This is just a general advice post I wrote up and not directed towards anyone ;)