Misconceptions About Celiac Disease & Gluten Free Dieting

A year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing the nutrients in food that are essential for humans to stay healthy. While there is no cure for Celiac Disease, there is a treatment: Maintaining a strict Gluten Free(GF) Diet for the rest of your life.
The more that I research Gluten Free dieting, the more I see a lot of misconceptions that people have when it comes to Celiac Disease and Gluten Free dieting:

1) "Eating Gluten Free can help you lose weight."

Not necessarily. If you look at the ingredients in baked goods, some of them use a stick or two of butter. While some GF foods are very healthy, just like in a regular diet, there are some unhealthy food options. People who eat GF have been known to gain weight. I was told this when I was told to eat GF after my diagnosis.

2) "One regular meal won't hurt you."

False. There is a small amount of Celiacs, like me, that are extremely sensitive to the point that even a crumb of gluten can cause relapse that lasts for DAYS.

3) "Gluten Free food is nasty."

Not all of it is nasty. While some baked goods (bread, etc) can be hard as a rock, there are some brands that are amazing. I recommend Bisquick Gluten Free pancakes. It is actually much tastier than regular pancakes.

4) "You can't eat at restaurants, right?"

False. There are more restaurants offering GF options. However, restaurants don't make any guarantees that the GF food hasn't come into contact with food containing gluten. Every GF menu I've seen has that disclaimer and it also advises that you eat at your own risk. I've eaten at several restaurants since my diagnosis in 2011, and most of them I have gotten sick from. Eating out is a risk us Celiacs take. The only popular chain I've had NO problems with is Outback Steakhouse. They have been wonderful with not cross-contaminating GF food.

5) "They make GF oats, so you can have granola and oatmeal, right?"

Yes and no. Yes, they make GF oats, but, not everyone is able to have them without problems. My diagnosis is a bit complex. Last year, I sat down with my dietitian and told her that I have had issues with eating GF oats. She told me that it sounds like I am extra sensitive when it comes to my Celiac Disease. There are others out there that also get sick when they eat GF oats. It's frustrating, but, there is nothing that we can do about it except stay away from it.

There are many more misconceptions about Gluten Free dieting, but these are the most common ones I have come across. Living day to day with Celiac Disease and eating GF is a tough road to travel, but, it's worth it in the end. We need to maintain our health and make sure we get nutrients into our body.