Anxiety About Travelling Over The Holiday

[gluten Tag]

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.

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.

[MaryJones2]

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.]

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[blueeyedmanda]

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]

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]

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. "

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.

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.