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
  • Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    Dad Booted from Kid's Gluten-Free Pizza Party for Feeding Cereal to His Toddler

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    An unsuspecting dad was asked to leave a kids' gluten-free pizza party after bringing gluten cereal snacks for his toddler. Was he wrong?

    Dad Booted from Kid's Gluten-Free Pizza Party for Feeding Cereal to His Toddler - A big party. by daveynin is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
    Caption:
    A big party. by daveynin is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

    Celiac.com 11/03/2023 - The removal of a dad from a gluten-free pizza party after bringing cereal snacks for his toddler has sparked a debate about proper etiquette for a gluten-free birthday party.

    Feeding cereal to his toddler at a child's gluten-free pizza party led to a dad's removal from the event, and ignited a debate about proper party etiquette and dietary restrictions. This incident occurred during the birthday party of the man's godson, Tim, who has a severe food allergy that can result in hospitalization. The party invitation prominently stated "GLUTEN FREE PARTY," emphasizing the importance of a gluten-free environment.

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    The dad, unaware of the gluten-free focus, had packed his two-year-old's favorite cereal snacks, which contained gluten. He had been excited to try the gluten-free pizza at the party, as it was something he rarely experienced. When they arrived at the event, they sat outside while the gluten-free pizza was being prepared. However, his toddler grew hungry and became fussy while waiting for food.

    Being an experienced parent, the dad had learned to carry snacks for his child. To appease his hungry toddler, he offered him a bag of Fruit Loops from his bag, not realizing that they contained gluten. As his toddler snacked on the cereal, Tim's parents noticed and began giving him disapproving looks.

    As time passed, Tim also started crying. It turned out that he had a meltdown whenever he saw food he couldn't eat, even though the Fruit Loops contained gluten. The distressed Tim ran to his parents and complained about the dad "bragging" that he could eat gluten-containing foods. In response, the parents became agitated and accused the dad of ruining Tim's birthday and being insensitive by flaunting his ability to consume gluten.

    They argued that he was showing off his lifestyle in front of Tim, who could never have gluten. Tim's parents even questioned their decision to make the dad Tim's godfather, a role he took over from a close friend who had originally been chosen but had passed away from cancer. They contended that they had very little connection with the dad and that his presence was primarily limited to Tim's birthday and some holidays.

    Due to this incident, Tim's parents requested the dad to leave the party, which he eventually did. He found the situation perplexing, particularly how a child's tantrum had led to such a significant conflict. As days passed, there was no contact between the dad and Tim's family, leaving him uncertain about whether he had acted inappropriately.

    One Reddit user offered insight into why Tim's parents reacted so strongly. They explained that as someone with celiac disease, even minimal cross-contamination from gluten could make them severely ill. The pain and inflammation from accidental gluten ingestion could be excruciating, requiring hospitalization. Therefore, Tim's parents' concern over gluten exposure was not unfounded.

    This story underscores the importance of being considerate of dietary restrictions and health conditions when attending social events. While the dad may not have been fully aware of the seriousness of Tim's condition, the incident serves as a reminder to be mindful and respectful of such constraints to ensure a positive and inclusive experience for everyone.

    What are your thoughts? Were the hosts right to ask dad to leave? Share your thoughts or stories below.

    Read more in themirror.co.uk



    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    OldNavyWife54

    Absolutely they were right! Celiac Disease should be view as any severe allergy is. I wasn’t diagnosed with celiac disease until I was 53. I then had genetic testing done that showed that I got it from both parents. Concerned for my 3 siblings, I advised them to get tested. Only my sister did, but her doctors advised her that being in her 60’s, a gluten-free diet would make no difference, so she never adopted the diet. Neither brother got tested, stating “we love our donuts.” All have clear symptoms. After that we had major disagreements concerning celiac disease and their inability to take it seriously. When my mother and youngest brother asked to come & live with me in 2016, one rule I made was no gluten containing foods in my kitchen (they think I exaggerate about cross-contamination). My brother would have had his own living space complete with kitchenette, but they objected to my rule. As such, I did not allow them to come & live with me. Many people do not understand just how sick some of us get when exposed to gluten. There needs to be more public education on this very common disorder.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    trents

    This was not handled well by Tim's parents IMO. They handled it in a way that was sure to generate a relational conflagration. This incident could have been a learning experience for the god father had Tim's parents kept their cool. Becoming hostile did not make Tim any safer on this occasion. This was a classic example of poor communication and the danger it poses to relationships.

    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

    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University. His articles, essays, poems, stories and book reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and websites, including North American Project, Antioch Review, Caliban, Mississippi Review, Slate, and more. He is the author of more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His university coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously devised health and medical content for Colgate, Dove, Pfizer, Sharecare, Walgreens, and more. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of numerous books, including "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

    >VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY JEFFERSON ADAMS

     


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





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Related Articles

    Jefferson Adams
    UK Man Sues Restaurant, Claims Gluten Caused 'Permanent Injuries'
    Celiac.com 07/11/2017 - A UK man has filed a lawsuit against a local bar and grill after becoming sick on a gyro salad that servers led him to believe was gluten-free.
    The Webster Groves resident, Phillip "Gus" Wagner alleges that servers at Michael's Bar & Grill in Manchester, provided inaccurate information about the dish, and that he suffered an adverse reaction to the gluten in the dish that left him with "severe and permanent injuries."
    His lawyer, Christine Anderson of Faerber and Anderson, specifies that Mr. Wagner was injured in one or more of the following respects to wit: injuries to the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, internal organs, respiratory system and body as a whole; that he sustained an aggravation of a pre-existing condition; that said injuries...


    Jefferson Adams
    Simple Celiac Disease Check is Path to Parenthood for Irish Couple
    Celiac.com 11/12/2018 - Here’s an uplifting celiac story. Now, this happened a while back, but it's all just coming to light in the way that so many warm and fuzzy family stories do. It starts like this: Once upon a time, a simple check for celiac disease opened the door to parenthood for couple. 
    Just over ten years ago, AnnMarie Bradley from Celbridge, Co Kildare, thought she’d never become a mother. After two devastating miscarriages over a decade, Bradley, who is 47 years old, and her husband Christopher (48) were at wit’s end. "I was just heartbroken,” said Ms Bradley. 
    Then, a simple visit to her doctor changed everything. A blood test indicated she might have celiac disease, which further evaluation confirmed. She began a gluten-free diet, and less than a year later...


    Jefferson Adams
    Gluten in Soup at Grand Canyon's El Tovar Hotel Injured L.A. Man, Lawsuit Claims
    Celiac.com 04/23/2019 - A bowl of French Onion soup at Grand Canyon's El Tovar Lodge contained hidden gluten that left a Los Angeles artist with a "permanent" injury, claims a recently filed lawsuit.
    As a result of an adverse reaction to the soup, Todd Serlin is suing Grand Canyon's concessionaire, Xanterra, for more than $100,000, according to the suit, now in federal court.
    The federal complaint states that Serlin and his partner, Mark Bauer, had booked a room at the historic El Tovar on December 27, 2016, and dined in the hotel's restaurant overlooking the South Rim of Grand Canyon.
    Serlin has celiac disease, and is "extremely careful" not to eat anything with gluten. The autoimmune condition causes problems in the small intestine when gluten, a molecule in wheat...


    Jefferson Adams
    Retirement Community Resident with Celiac Disease Sues Over Gluten in Food
    Celiac.com 10/09/2023 - Eleanor McGinn, a resident of a retirement community in Maryland, has filed a lawsuit alleging that the facility, Broadmead, repeatedly served her food containing gluten despite knowing about her celiac disease. 
    The lawsuit, filed in Maryland District Court, claims that Broadmead violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by discriminating against McGinn based on her disability. The claim also includes allegations of breach of contract, negligence in food preparation, and negligent misrepresentation. These claims stem from McGinn's reliance on Broadmead's assurances that she would receive gluten-free food and the facility's promotion of a gluten-free dietary program.
    Before moving to Broadmead in 2017, McGinn had met with the facility's dining director ...


  • Recent Activity

    1. - RMJ replied to Jean Shifrin's topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      1

      Implications of glutening after repairing villi

    2. - Jean Shifrin posted a topic in Traveling with Celiac Disease
      1

      Implications of glutening after repairing villi

    3. - Scott Adams replied to Patrick-Tyler's topic in Gluten-Free Restaurants
      5

      Is McDonald's Safe for Gluten-Free Orders?

    4. - trents replied to Patrick-Tyler's topic in Gluten-Free Restaurants
      5

      Is McDonald's Safe for Gluten-Free Orders?

    5. - Scott Adams replied to GeordieGeezer's topic in Food Intolerance & Leaky Gut
      17

      Anybody else have a similar experience...theories welcome as its something which i dont really understand.....


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      125,803
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Emeraeld
    Newest Member
    Emeraeld
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.8k
    • Total Posts
      69k

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Popular Now

    • Patrick-Tyler
    • Elliebee
    • mswhis
    • Dhruv
      20
    • GeordieGeezer
  • Popular Articles

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

×
×
  • Create New...