Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Scott Adams
    Scott Adams

    Balancing Dietary Restrictions and Social Etiquette: A Gluten-Free Breakfast Incident

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    When the food arrived, Via began sampling from everyone's plates and specifically asked to try the woman's gluten-free breakfast.

    Balancing Dietary Restrictions and Social Etiquette: A Gluten-Free Breakfast Incident - Breakfast at Denny's by rob_rob2001 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
    Caption:
    Breakfast at Denny's by rob_rob2001 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

    Celiac.com 09/05/2024 - Navigating food sensitivities can be challenging, especially in social settings. A recent incident highlights the complexities faced by individuals with specific dietary needs. This summary explores a situation where a woman, newly diagnosed with gluten sensitivity, refused to share her gluten-free meal with a pregnant friend during a group breakfast outing, leading to accusations of selfishness.

    Discovering the Sensitivity

    The woman had been experiencing unexplained nausea and indigestion for years. Upon discovering that she was sensitive to gluten, she completely eliminated it from her diet, significantly improving her health. This dietary change required her to be vigilant about the foods she consumed, as even small traces of gluten could cause adverse reactions.

    Breakfast Outing with Friends

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    She was invited to a breakfast outing with her friend group, which included a couple, Emma and Via, who were expecting their first child. Understanding her dietary restrictions, the group chose a high-end restaurant known for being attentive to food sensitivities and offering gluten-free options.

    Sharing Food and the Pregnant Friend

    At the restaurant, Via, who was experiencing morning sickness, decided not to order her own meal. Instead, she planned to have a few bites from others' plates. While the rest of the group was amenable to sharing, the woman with gluten sensitivity expressed her discomfort. She explained that since she couldn't share in the others' food due to her sensitivity, she preferred not to share her own meal either.

    Tensions Rise

    When the food arrived, Via began sampling from everyone's plates and specifically asked to try the woman's gluten-free breakfast. The woman declined, reiterating that her meal was her only safe option and she wasn't comfortable sharing it. Via, driven by pregnancy cravings, argued that she really wanted to try the gluten-free dish. This led to a heated exchange, with Via accusing the woman of being selfish.

    Conclusion

    This incident sheds light on the challenges faced by those with gluten sensitivity, especially in social settings. The woman’s refusal to share her meal was not out of selfishness but a necessity to maintain her health. For individuals with celiac disease or similar conditions, maintaining strict dietary habits is crucial. This story underscores the importance of understanding and respecting dietary restrictions to support the well-being of those affected.

    What do you think, was she selfish for not sharing her food? Please share your comments below.

    Read more at chipchick.com


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Susanne Warren

    I think someone having celiac disease in this instance is beside the point. I've never heard of anyone accompanying a group of friends to a restaurant and assuming that she can eat off everyone else's plate! I think she was the one who was only thinking of herself. At breakfast, you can usually order a side of toast if you're not feeling well. But, I do believe the woman with celiac disease had every right to refuse to let Via eat from her plate, as I believe everyone else at the table had a right to do.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    trents

    Did this actually happen? It feels contrived. I can't imagine this happening in real life. And the question raised at the end of the story seems to confuse what the issue really is. Is the issue the gluten sensitive woman's safety or is it selfishness? I don't see why allowing her pregnant friend to sample her gluten free meal would present a safety risk, as long as clean utensils were used to share.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    pixiegirl

    I find it hard to believe this happened! If it did she needs a new set of friends. I've heard of people asking for a taste but never getting mad if they say, "not this time."

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Patty harrigan

    What a crew. Get new friends?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Willa E.

    this is so silly and certainly doesn't represent what eating a gluten-free life is like. If you are with a "friend" who doesn't want to order and eat off your plate, give her a little bit of your food WITH YOUR FORK  and let it go. And then never go out for a meal with this person again.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Wheatwacked

    since she couldn't share in the others' food due to her sensitivity, she preferred not to share her own meal either.

    Part of the anger stage of mourning.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Create an account or sign in to comment

    You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

    Create an account

    Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

    Register a new account

    Sign in

    Already have an account? Sign in here.

    Sign In Now

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate
  • About Me

    Scott Adams

    Scott Adams was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1994, and, due to the nearly total lack of information available at that time, was forced to become an expert on the disease in order to recover. In 1995 he launched the site that later became Celiac.com to help as many people as possible with celiac disease get diagnosed so they can begin to live happy, healthy gluten-free lives.  He is co-author of the book Cereal Killers, and founder and publisher of the (formerly paper) newsletter Journal of Gluten Sensitivity. In 1998 he founded The Gluten-Free Mall which he sold in 2014. Celiac.com does not sell any products, and is 100% advertiser supported.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Related Articles

    Jean Duane PhD
    Surmounting Social Situations Encountered by those with Celiac Disease and/or Food Allergies
    Celiac.com 07/13/2018 - I went to a friend’s home for dinner.  A few days before, she called and asked me what I could eat.  I asked her what she was planning to make, and she said she was grilling meats with side dishes.  I said, “Great.  Please just grill a piece of chicken for me with salt and pepper, and I’ll be happy to bring a side.” She said, “No need to bring a side.  I’ve got this.” When I arrived, she greeted me and said, “I spent all day cooking tonight’s dinner so you can eat it. Hey would you just check this salad dressing to see if it is OK for you?” I looked at the ingredients and it contained gluten and dairy, both of which I cannot eat.  Then I glanced around the kitchen and saw evidence of wheat cross-contamination, including buns being toasted on the grill, and gluten-c...


    Jean Duane PhD
    Surmounting Social Situations: Sabotage and Scrutiny Surrounding the Gluten-Free Diet
    Celiac.com 10/17/2018 - In the interviews I conducted last year, the Celiac.com viewers shared with me some disturbing stories about how others either sabotaged their gluten-free diet or how their gluten-free requirements are continually scrutinized and doubted. Here are a few examples:
    A co-worker at my office ate a gluten-containing burrito and thought it would be funny to cross-contaminate my work space.  With his gluten-coated hands, he touched my phone, desk, pencils, pens, etc. while I was not at my desk.  I came back and was contaminated.  I had to take several days off of work from being so sick. The waiter at a restaurant where I was eating dinner asked me if I was really “a celiac” or if I was avoiding gluten as a “fad dieter.” He told me the food was gluten-fre...


    Jean Duane PhD
    Surmounting Social Situations – Traveling Versus Staying Home
    My husband gave me an “adventure island hopping tour” to Greece for a graduation present that included two dedicated guides, all meals, and one or two adventures a day with a group of thirteen other people we had not previously met. To prepare, we increased our workouts and added regular six mile walks. We were very excited to see Greece in this way! The tour company sent me a form to fill out asking me to disclose food allergies. Prior to filling it out, I investigated the foods in Greece to see what they ate, how foods were prepared and to get an idea of what I thought might be safe for me to consume. I also watched videos on how foods are prepared and saw that a frequent practice is to grill meats and then grill bread on the same grill (without cleaning in between). That was worrisome. Ra...


    Scott Adams
    Socializing with Celiac Disease: How to Host or Attend a Christmas Party and Stay Gluten-Free
    Celiac.com 12/09/2023 - The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and, of course, social gatherings. For individuals with celiac disease, navigating Christmas parties can present unique challenges, especially when faced with the prospect of a mixed crowd—some with gluten sensitivities and others without. Whether you're hosting the festivities or attending as a guest, this guide offers valuable insights and practical tips to ensure a gluten-free and enjoyable holiday experience.
    Hosting a Mixed Holiday Party with Gluten-Free and Non-Gluten-Free Guests
    Separation and Labelling
    When hosting a mixed party with guests of varying dietary needs, creating a separation strategy is key. Set up separate tables or designated areas for gluten-containing and gluten-free i...


  • Recent Activity

    1. - trents replied to MomofGF's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Not sure if this is Celiac or just a gluten-free intolerance

    2. - MomofGF replied to MomofGF's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Not sure if this is Celiac or just a gluten-free intolerance

    3. - MomofGF posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      2

      Not sure if this is Celiac or just a gluten-free intolerance

    4. - knitty kitty replied to Louise Broughton's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      4

      Louise

    5. - knitty kitty replied to Blue Roan's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Lymph nodes in neck + thyroid issues


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      125,674
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Pua
    Newest Member
    Pua
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.8k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Popular Now

    • Louise Broughton
      4
    • sh00148
      19
    • pasqualeb
      9
    • Jean Shifrin
  • Popular Articles

    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
  • Upcoming Events

×
×
  • Create New...