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

Anxiety About Travelling Over The Holiday

gluten Tag

By gluten Tag
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

gluten Tag Rookie
gluten Tag
Posted

Hi everyone! I'm new here and new (2.5 wks) to gluten-free.

I'm having some anxiety. I've just gone gluten-free and it feels pretty manageable in my home because I have a lot of control.

We are supposed to travel at the holidays to my in-laws in NY (we live in MA). I am really nervous about all this because

1) Im afraid of getting sick

2) Im just getting the hang of food and have still managed to gluten myself once. :lol:

3) I feel almost apologetic in going to someone elses house...like I don't want them to have to make concessions on my behalf. :(

4) Celiac Disease, in general, just makes me feel so self-concious. You know? Like I stick out because I am eating something different.

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips of what I could do to make this season a little more bearable? TIA.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


MaryJones2 Enthusiast
MaryJones2
Posted

Your anxiety will improve over time as you become more comfortable with the diet and dealing with situations like this. Since you are new to this I would recommend taking all of your food or preparing your food when you get there and make it similar to what everyone else is eating. It's pretty hard to accurately explain to someone else how to cook gluten-free food in their kitchen when you are just learning yourself without creating stress for you and the host(ess). Over time everyone will get used to you having different food and it won't be so uncomfortable.

Lori T. Newbie
Lori T.
Posted
Hi everyone! I'm new here and new (2.5 wks) to gluten-free.

I'm having some anxiety. I've just gone gluten-free and it feels pretty manageable in my home because I have a lot of control.

We are supposed to travel at the holidays to my in-laws in NY (we live in MA). I am really nervous about all this because

1) Im afraid of getting sick

2) Im just getting the hang of food and have still managed to gluten myself once. :lol:

3) I feel almost apologetic in going to someone elses house...like I don't want them to have to make concessions on my behalf. :(

4) Celiac Disease, in general, just makes me feel so self-concious. You know? Like I stick out because I am eating something different.

Does anyone have any suggestions or tips of what I could do to make this season a little more bearable? TIA.

Food is the toughest. Am still struggling too after 2 years but getting better at dealing with this part of the diet. Just wrote to another member with some of the same advice to you. Bring your own or look up stores too that are in the area and find gluten-free guaranteed safe prepared foods to take. I also have asked the hostess, especially family, what they are making and try to duplicate a plate of a few of the items to take for myself. Most of the holiday foods in a family are the same as what you would make for your family at home anyway, it is outside parties that can be the challenge. Offer to make a dish that you can eat but that everyone else can eat too. If they don't know you are gluten-free, they will never know. Just watch the serving spoons. Bring a serving spoon for your dish so that hopefully you won't get others mixing spoons and contaminate the dish. If you are staying for a period of days, try the web for local stores to buy some safe stuff for you. Do not know where in NY you are going, but I am in NY upstate, about 40 minutes from NYC and if you want, write back to monkeybusiness@hvc.rr.com and I can help you with stores near here. Good luck. This part DOES get better once used to it.

henny Explorer
henny
Posted

I know how you feel!

I don't have any advice, other than be good to yourself. I'm still figuring out all this stuff myself and being shy does not help at all.

I love your username. Spreken sie Deutsch?

ang1e0251 Contributor
ang1e0251
Posted

I've been on the diet for a year and I certainly felt exactly like you in the beginning. But after going to a couple of events and sitting very hungry, I promised never to put myself through that again. Last Saturday, we were invited to my sister's in law's T'gvg. Most people I've met but I not to where I want to explain my medical history. I told my sister I would be taking my own food. She started to argue that the turkey would be ok for me but I said in a few words that CC was going to be a problem. She didn't argue. I did take my own food. First I went through the line and found a few foods I could eat. Those satisfied me, I had eaten a snack before I went, and I ended never taking my own food out. It was a very nice time.

I would take or buy your own food and don't apologize if you decide to eat it. Just do it quietly and most people won't say anything, some won't even notice. I went to a flower show and brought out my own food. Another florist asked me about it and I explained, very short version, why I brought it. He asked my symptoms and I only said they are mostly digestive and not proper to mention here at the dinner table. He very kindly said he would rather eat what I had brought. Then the conversation changed and no more was said.

Most situations are going to hinge on your attitude. If you are casual about it and not upset, others will usually follow your lead. I usually don't feel the need to explain in depth to strangers but family I will tell as much as they are ready to listen to. Remember, your health, your choice.

Good luck on your trip and I feell confident it will all go well.

missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted

If you can look up and find the local/area support group, they can be a good resource. They usually don't mind if people from out of town call or e-mail to ask questions about local shopping or dining. If they have a website, they may provide that kind of info. there.

gluten Tag Rookie
gluten Tag
Posted
  • Author

Thank you everyone for your replies. I don't know how long threads stay around here but if it's still around, I'll post in a couple of weeks and let you know how it went.

My in-laws are a bit sheltered. I think I'm the only person they know who has ever been allergic. To anything. :rolleyes:

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


blueeyedmanda Community Regular
blueeyedmanda
Posted

If you are traveling through Upstate NY and you can stop at a Wegmans that is celiac heaven. They stock lots of gluten free products plus label all their house brand gluten free if it is.

gluten Tag Rookie
gluten Tag
Posted
  • Author
If you are traveling through Upstate NY and you can stop at a Wegmans that is celiac heaven. They stock lots of gluten free products plus label all their house brand gluten free if it is.

Thank you so much. I have a feeling there may be a Wegmans in LI.

Takala Enthusiast
Takala
Posted

If it's just a short casual get together, I just eat beforehand and bring a snack and drink water- and talk, I'm there for the socializing, not the food, and I don't think anybody minds. I accept that this is what I am, and this way I don't have to worry about eating something with gluten accidently. My metabolism is such that if I eat a high protein and fat meal before I go anywhere, I don't get hungry for hours anyway.

If I do bring a main dish or dessert item it's something gluten free. It's easier to just put mine on a plate/bowl beforehand and pack that. I find the shortest answers are the best, if I feel like explaining anything, I just say "oh, allergies, this way I can enjoy myself and not think" and get on with it.

Well, yeah, technically this isn't correct, but I do have a lot of allergies, so it's not exactly being mistruthful, but the average person grasps that "allergy" word much more quickly than "oh, I have a form of gluten intolerance auto immune reaction that results not in my getting sick right away, but instead I don't want to have neurological symptoms like ataxia next week. " :blink:

My goals are simple- I just want to eat stuff that works for me without it being a big drama. The host may just want their cooking praised. This is what omnivore spouses are for. :lol:

We have a travel bag stocked with non perishable gluten free goodies we just throw in the car whenever we go anywhere.

In laws and family can be particularly, ah, tricky, because the other part of acceptance is that you have to accept a lot of them just won't "get" it and will not be able to grasp the concept- research shopping before you go, and pack as much as you can and be as self sufficient as you can.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      1

      Natural remedies

      While it's always important to approach internal use of essential oils with caution and ideally under the guidance of a qualified professional, your experience highlights the potential of complementary approaches when traditional medicine falls short. Many in the community are also interested in the intersection of natural wellness and gluten-free living...
    2. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to miguel54b's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Gluten and short-term memory.

      It's interesting how a single, clear moment—like struggling during a game—can suddenly connect all the dots and reveal the hidden impact of gluten exposure. Your experience with short-term memory fog is a very real and documented symptom for many individuals with gluten sensitivity, often occurring alongside the other issues you mentioned like mood disturbances, sl...
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Suze046's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Reintroduction of Gluten

      Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS. What you're describing is a very common and frustrating experience when reintroducing gluten after a period of avoidance, and your timeline is perfectly c...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Rejoicephd's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      2

      Draft gluten-free ciders… can they be trusted ?

      Your suspicion is almost certainly correct, and you are wise to be cautious. Draft cider is a very common and often overlooked source of cross-contact because the same tap lines are frequently used for both beer and cider; unless a bar has a dedicated line for gluten-free beverages, which is rare, the cider will run through tubing that has previously contained...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Mykidzz3's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      High Cost of Gluten-Free Foods

      Your post really highlights the financial and emotional struggle so many families face. You are not alone in feeling frustrated by the high cost of gluten-free specialty items and the frustrating waste when your daughter can't tolerate them. A great place to start is by focusing on naturally gluten-free whole foods that are often more affordable and...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,367
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    nursengul
    Newest Member
    nursengul
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Natural remedies

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      While it's always important to approach internal use of essential oils with caution and ideally under the guidance of a qualified professional, your experience highlights the potential of complementary approaches when traditional medicine falls short. Many in the community are also interested in the intersection of natural wellness and gluten-free living, particularly for managing systemic inflammation and its various symptoms, so sharing your story is valuable. Your observation that it may also be helping with bloating is fascinating, as that could point to an overall reduction in inflammation. Thank you for sharing what is working for you!
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten and short-term memory.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's interesting how a single, clear moment—like struggling during a game—can suddenly connect all the dots and reveal the hidden impact of gluten exposure. Your experience with short-term memory fog is a very real and documented symptom for many individuals with gluten sensitivity, often occurring alongside the other issues you mentioned like mood disturbances, sleep disruption, and digestive irregularity. It's a frustrating and often invisible effect that can make you feel unlike yourself, so that moment of clarity, though born from a tough dominoes match, is actually a powerful piece of self-knowledge. Identifying a specific culprit like that steak strip is a huge win, as it arms you with the information needed to avoid similar pitfalls in the future and protect your cognitive clarity. You are definitely not alone in experiencing this particular set of neurological and physical symptoms; it's a strong reminder of gluten's profound impact on the entire body, not just the digestive system. Supplementation may help you as well.  The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. Because of this it took me decades to overcome a few long-standing issues I had that were associated with gluten ataxia, for example numbness and tingling in my feet, and muscle knots--especially in my shoulders an neck. Only long term extensive supplementation has helped me to resolve these issues.      
    • Scott Adams
      Reintroduction of Gluten

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS. What you're describing is a very common and frustrating experience when reintroducing gluten after a period of avoidance, and your timeline is perfectly consistent with a non-celiac gluten sensitivity. While a celiac reaction can be more immediate, a sensitivity reaction is often delayed, sometimes taking several days to manifest as your body's inflammatory response builds up; the fact that your symptoms returned a few days after reintroduction is a strong indicator that gluten is indeed the culprit, not a coincidence. Your doctor's advice to reintroduce it was necessary to confirm the diagnosis, as the initial negative celiac test and subsequent improvement on a gluten-free diet pointed strongly towards sensitivity. Many in this community have gone through this exact same process of elimination and challenging, and it's wise to reintroduce gently as you did. Given your clear reaction, the best course of action is likely to resume a strict gluten-free diet, as managing a sensitivity is the primary way to control those debilitating symptoms and allow your body to heal fully.
    • Scott Adams
      Draft gluten-free ciders… can they be trusted ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your suspicion is almost certainly correct, and you are wise to be cautious. Draft cider is a very common and often overlooked source of cross-contact because the same tap lines are frequently used for both beer and cider; unless a bar has a dedicated line for gluten-free beverages, which is rare, the cider will run through tubing that has previously contained gluten-containing beer, contaminating your drink. The fact that you didn't react at a clean brewery suggests they may have had more meticulous practices or separate lines, but this is the exception, not the rule. Many in the community have had identical experiences, leading them to strictly avoid draft cider and opt for bottled or canned versions, which are poured directly from their sealed container and bypass the contaminated tap system entirely. Switching to bottles or cans is the safest strategy, and your plan to do so is a smart move to protect your health. PS - here are some articles on the topic:    
    • Scott Adams
      High Cost of Gluten-Free Foods

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post really highlights the financial and emotional struggle so many families face. You are not alone in feeling frustrated by the high cost of gluten-free specialty items and the frustrating waste when your daughter can't tolerate them. A great place to start is by focusing on naturally gluten-free whole foods that are often more affordable and less processed, like rice, potatoes, beans, lentils, corn, eggs, and frozen fruits and vegetables—these are nutritional powerhouses that can form the basis of her meals. For the specialty items like bread and pasta, see if your local stores carry smaller, single-serving packages or allow returns if a product causes a reaction, as some companies understand this challenge. Regarding vitamins, that is an excellent next step; please ask her doctor to prescribe a high-quality gluten-free multivitamin, as insurance will often cover prescribed vitamins, making them much more affordable. Finally, connecting with a local celiac support group online can be a treasure trove of location-specific advice for finding the best and most affordable products in your area, saving you both time and money on the trial-and-error process. 
×
×
  • Create New...