How To Decline Food?

[lovegrov]

I've taught my closest family members and even a couple of friends enough about CC so that I can eat with them.

 

richard

[kareng]

  On 9/3/2013 at 3:58 PM, lovegrov said:

I've taught my closest family members and even a couple of friends enough about CC so that I can eat with them.

 

Richard

 

 

Me, too.  But it took a bit of time.  My sister will make food and run the ingredients and procedures by me first.  That seems to work.

 

Maybe she is afraid I'll pound her if she scews up?  Open Original Shared Link

[Gemini]

  On 9/3/2013 at 2:04 PM, IrishHeart said:

I agree with Karen.

 

then again, I have no problem telling people I have Celiac. 

 

what can I say? I take any opportunity to educate the masses. 

 

I may even get a "I'm celiac and I'm proud!" tee shirt...or tattoo.....

Irish......A TATTOO?!?!? 

 

Sorry...I just couldn't resist!  

 

I think we overthink on this one also. I just say, "No, thank you".  If people persist, I ask them if they have a hearing problem.  I really don't care what people think about my food issues so if they want to get obnoxious about it and try to shove food down my throat that I cannot eat, they open themselves up for an answer they may not like.  After doing this for such a long time, I get tired of the routine. I eat what I eat so shut up about it....

[IrishHeart]

  On 9/3/2013 at 4:14 PM, kareng said:

 

 

Maybe she is afraid I'll pound her if she scews up?  Open Original Shared Link

 

  snort

 

 

  On 9/3/2013 at 4:21 PM, Gemini said:

 

 I just say, "No, thank you".  If people persist, I ask them if they have a hearing problem. 

 

 double snort

 

My two girlfriends...such tough cookies.

[Celtic Queen]

It really depends on the situation and who I'm talking to as to how much detail I go in to.  If it's a casual acquaintance, I'll just say "No thank you" when I'm offered stuff.  If they keep insisting, I'll say I'm on a medically restricted diet or that I'm allergic.  (Even though I'm not allergic, sometimes it's the easiest explanation.)

 

If it's someone I know a little better, I'll explain about the Celiac disease.  But with most people I don't go into that much detail because I figure they don't really want to hear it much.

 

I am lucky to have several close girlfriends who are wonderful about cross contamination and being careful.  They don't mind if I ask to look at the labels on something and they don't get offended if I bring my own food.

[Pegleg84]

"No thanks, I can't eat it." I think the "can't" is important. But then again, I'm one of those people that will go on and on if you let me. "I have dietary restrictions" is another good one, not explicit but says that you're not just declining because you don't feel like it.

When offered something in a group setting, I often say, "sorry, I can't, but you can have two."

If you really don't want to get into the whole celiac thing, though, just say, "No thank you" and be done with it. No one can force you to eat, and you are not required to explain yourself.

[LauraTX]

For me, the response depends on who is asking.  Total stranger, "No thanks" is good.  Someone you will have to see again like maybe a person at a meeting or group, "No thanks I had a HUGE lunch" seems to always work or if they know you are hungry, "No thanks, I can't eat that" or "No thanks I have a food allergy" are usually good.  Also "I am going to my grandmas for dinner and if I don't eat every bite she will be crushed, Id better leave all the room I can" helps to cut in some humor when things get awkward.  

 

But, unless you want to disclose a lot of personal information, less is more.  So I usually stick with "No thanks" or "I already ate" unless I am close enough to the person to be willing to explain things.  If you say "No thanks, I have an allergy" and the person starts insisting, I like to say "No thanks, it gets really ugly!" and will sometimes add "Ain't nobody got time for that!" or something similarly funny if the conversation has drawn attention.  If the person is a stranger (or even a relative,heck) and they are being pushy and rude, just start telling them about the explosive diarrhea you will get and you will be surprised at how quickly they want to talk to someone else.

 

But yes, "No Thanks" is generally the best  Less is more.

[w8in4dave]

I say I have Celiac so I have to be very careful about what I eat. Like stated above some ask questions, others just don't say anything. Usually I get statement like "Really? I have a cousin that has that" Or "My friend has that" "My friends ex husband has that, he had this symptom and this symptom"  The people I have ran into are not rude, I havn't gotten into any eye's rolling. Thank goodness! Because I'd call them on that!! 

I just say "No thank you, I have Celiac, I have to be careful about what I eat" Thats it. If they want to talk about it fine , if not thats fine to. 

[cap6]

  On 9/2/2013 at 6:57 PM, moosemalibu said:

I think it's great to get everyones perspective on this. I must be around a lot of nosey people because once one person at work found out I had celiac's it spread through our clinic and I've had everyone ask me about it. I know it's out of concern but I just get tired of explaining it. And I have a very well meaning friend at the neighboring department that suggested I try the vegan food commons at the university we work at. I'm not vegan, thanks. I'm pretty certain that is a CC nightmare waiting to happen. I declined but man - talk about not understanding. I want to educate but I feel like I need to pass out fliers because I'll lose my voice or my patience. 

I would like some of those flyers to hand out as well!