The Young And The Celiac: Advice For Embracing Your Young Gluten-Free Life

Having food allergies and restrictions can be difficult for anyone. You may fee isolated , left out, always on edge. In each stage of life, different struggles and situations arise. When you’re a child you may feel like life is so unfair because you can’t eat that cupcake at your friend’s birthday party. As a teenager you might feel like a huge loser because you have to turn down that slice of pizza. As an adult you may be put in so many awkward situations involving food like work parties, weddings, even normal family functions. But one period of time that can be most difficult is that defining stage of “young adulthood”. Your just finishing high school, going to college, and then trying to find your way in the hustle and bustle of real life through your 20s. You are going to encounter so many new things and so many huge changes. Having Celiac or any food allergy only makes this time that much more difficult to navigate.

Is it possible to be successful even with your allergies and everything else that is coming your way? It is, it can be, and most importantly, you’re not alone! I asked some of my gluten-free celiac friends their top advice and tips on being a young Celiac and still living life! This is out time to shine and show the world just what we are made of. It is not the time to sink away in allergy-defeat. We need to break out, branch out, and make an impact. These lovely ladies have shown that it can be done no matter what situation you find yourself in. They embrace their gluten-free life to the fullest and they do not let it stop them from achieving their dreams and what they want out of life. Their still dealing with the hurdles of being a young adult, but Celiac ain’t one of them!

Allie Martens {Adventures of a Gluten Free Bennie}

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My name is Allie, and I am going to be a junior in college this year.  I started my blog gfreebennie.blogspot.com after going gluten-free 2 years ago due to gluten sensitivity.  I blog about tips for gluten-free college students, my own gluten free recipes, and my adventures studying abroad as a Spanish major.

“My #1 tip on living gluten-free as a young adult is to be YOUR own best advocate.  You know works best for YOU, and if there is something wrong, do not simply sit back and let the problem persist. Go out of your comfort zone and do whatever is necessary to fix the problem!  This can include speaking to your doctor, meeting with a dietician, reaching out to fellow gluten-free students, meeting with the cafeteria staff about gluten-free options, and much more.  For example, I spoke with the dietician at my college this past year because I was concerned about the lack of gluten-free cafeteria options.  After speaking to her, she was able to create an individual plan for me and other gluten-free students to ensure we had safe and healthy meals prepared by the chefs with our own recipe ideas!  Don’t forget to speak up for yourself; one conversation can make a big difference!”

Amber Vesey {Eats and Exercise by Amber}

Casey Cromwell {Casey the College Celiac}

My name is Casey and I’m a college celiac at Point Loma Nazarene University! After my diagnosis, I started a blog all about the successes, struggles and stories while surviving gluten-free in college. Now, I love sharing restaurant reviews, recipes and all the craziness of a life full of veggies, celiac drama, school and friends. And, of course, connecting with all the other celiacs tied their computers!

“It’s hard to do, but be open to others about your food allergies, gluten-free diet or celiac disease diagnosis. The first thing I learned when I started college is that social outings are driven by food, so, even if I didn’t want to share my medical history with my name, my pizza-less, ice cream-less hand gave me away. The more comfortable and confident you are about your food allergies/celiac, the more casual others will act about it as well! An open attitude plus a never-ending bag full of gluten-free snacks made this celiac one happy, healthy and social college student!”

Chynna Foucek {College Student With Celiac}

My name is Chynna, and I’m currently a senior studying biochemistry at Rice University.  I was diagnosed with celiac disease a few months prior to my thirteenth birthday, and since then, have learned to manage and embrace the disease.  When I entered Rice, I realized that though numerous sources of support exist for those with celiac disease, an important demographic, college students, is often forgotten.  College is a time where those with celiac disease must learn to embrace and follow the gluten-free diet; however, we are often put in situations where we may feel alienated because of our disease, and need to find others we can relate to.  I began my blog with the goal to unite college students with celiac disease through a variety of recipes, anecdotes, tips, and product/restaurant reviews.

“Don’t let your dietary restrictions stop you from going to the university that best fits your academic strengths and career goals.  Before you arrive at your school this fall, email the head of your school’s Dining Services and ask how the university can accommodate you. Take the time to connect with the chefs in your cafeteria, and let them know you require a gluten-free diet.  Be honest and upfront about what types of food you need, and utilize online resources from support groups like the NFCA to help educate the chefs and kitchen staff.  If you believe it may be necessary in ensuring that your diet is accommodated, consider seeking classification under Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act; if you have celiac disease and your school receives any type of public funding, this requires that they accommodate your diet.  Most importantly, embrace your disease; it makes you unique, keeps you healthy, and is a huge component of your life as a college student!”

Kristy Sayer {Southern In-Law}

Kristy is a 21-year-old Australian healthy living, food, travel, and lifestyle blogger. She is also a freelance writer and the owner of KISS Freelance. She recently married her sweetheart Jessie in October of 2013. Kristy was diagnosed with Celiac in January of 2012 and has been gluten-free ever since. The Southern In-Law is Kristy’s place to share her passion for allergy-free living and loving life as an amazing young woman.

“My biggest tip is to be realistic about your allergies. Don’t expect your friends and family to cater for you all of the time because they don’t know what it’s like – and it’s especially difficult when you’re the only one out of a large group of people. It’s easy to get upset and feel like you’re left out but you have to remember that it’s not fair to demand that others cater for you as they may not even know how to (or quite possibly, they’re afraid to as they don’t know if you’ll be okay with what they make). If in doubt, bring your own food – it means you’re not going to be ravenously starving when there’s nothing to eat and you take some pressure off whoever is hosting you.”

And for my advice as a new young adult…

Take every situation and difficulty head on. Don’t miss out because you think you can’t or you think everything is going to be a complete failure. Embrace your differences and make them a part of who you are and who you want to be. Your allergies and restrictions will only make you stronger and will only give you more drive to find success. Your peers will be jealous when then see you quickly moving up the ladder because you know you want success, happiness, and health. Your not embarrassed or ashamed, you’re not scared to life your life. You won’t let anything stop you because you embrace it all and you take it with stride! Be a Gluten-Free Warrior!

So tell me:

+ How did you deal with your food allergies as a young adult?

+ What difficulties do you find with having food allergies in social situations?

+ Have situations changed as you get older with your allergies?

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