19 Red Flags that Make People with Celiac Feel Nervous

When you have celiac disease and need to eat gluten free to be healthy, it becomes second nature to notice "red flags" that indicate your food might not be safe...whether they are statements seen on a restaurant menu or spoken by a family friend. So I thought I would round up 19 of the most common phrases/statements that make my celiac spidey senses go, "YIKES!"

If you have celiac disease, hopefully this list helps you feel less alone or helps you know what to look for if you're newly diagnosed. And if you don't have celiac disease but know someone who does, maybe this list will help you understand what your loved one is going through.

1. "We'll just find some food somewhere when we get there!"

2. "Made on shared equipment with wheat."

For help understanding labeling laws and what is really celiac safe, I can't recommend @celiacdietician on Instagram enough!

3.  *Sees the "gluten free" options displayed right below the gluten option at a bakery. Hellooo crumbs.*

4. "How much weight did you lose going gluten free???"

Repeat after me: A gluten free diet is NOT a weight loss diet.

5. *Gets to a work event that promised "gluten free options." The catering staff has no idea what gluten is...*

6. "But *insert person here* can eat this just fine and they're GF!"

7. *When a gluten free bun looks a little too suspiciously fluffy.*

If you haven't seen my viral Instagram reel...it's worth a look and a laugh.

8. "Oh yea, we have tons of options without milk!"

9. *Finds a gluten free menu! ...then asks about the fryer and learns it's shared.*

Note to newbie celiacs: it's not safe to eat even "gluten free" food that has been cooked in the same fryer as gluten-containing foods.

10. "I wish I had celiac so I wouldn't eat so much at parties!"  

11. *Sees crumbs on the counter with the gluten free food.*

12. "One bite can't hurt that much???"

13. *Sees something labeled "reduced-gluten," "gluten-friendly,", "gluten lite," etc.*

14. "I knew *insert relationship to person here* and they grew out of celiac!"

One of the many common myths about celiac disease...

15. "Why does EVERYONE have dietary restrictions nowadays, huh?"

16. "Can't you just pick the toppings off the pizza?"

17. *Sees a homemade baked good at the party marked "gluten free" with no box or ingredients label...*  

18. *When you find a "gluten free" restaurant online...and then you read the reviews...*

And if you need help finding safe spots to eat, some of my favorite gluten free apps are listed here!

19. "What the heck can you even eat?!?"

Answer: a lot of yummy things. ;) My Instagram is proof! 

The Bottom Line: Red Flags of Living with Celiac Disease

One of the challenges and benefits of living with celiac disease is that our health is - much of the time - in our own hands. We can control our disease by controlling our diet, and advocating for our dietary needs plays a HUGE role in that. 

So if you ever see or hear one of these red flags and feel uncomfortable, please remember: it is not only your right to double-check that your food is safe or to defend your dietary choices, but it's also a requirement of staying healthy. And you should never feel guilty for doing just that.

What's a "red flag" that I didn't include in this list, or one that you notice for your own chronic illness or dietary restrictions? I'd love to hear in the comments!