When most people hear “I’m gluten-free”, they normally throw low blows and jokes about what they can and can’t eat. However, after recently developing a gluten intolerance and not being taken seriously, I feel the need to shed some light on the issue.

First, gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Some people can’t eat this protein as it causes damage to their villi, the finger-like projections found in the small intestine that help with nutrient absorption. The destroyed villi will not be able to absorb nutrients properly causing gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, weight loss or gain and many more. Not only does it affect the stomach, but the behavior, muscular system, reproductive system and the skin. The only way to lessen these symptoms is to follow a strict gluten-free diet.

Having to transition into gluten free after becoming intolerant was hard because anytime I went to a restaurant and I had to ask the waiter for gluten free options. Being a gluten-free customer at is a waiter’s worst nightmare. While it may be annoying to the waiter, I can’t help it and neither can 1 out of every 100 people worldwide.

Of course being gluten free doesn’t mean a person has to starve as there a lot of things that are naturally without gluten: peanut butter, yogurt, popcorn, meat, ice cream, sodas, cheerios, chocolate, and potatoes just to name a few. Also many restaurants are creating specifically gluten free menus and options as celiac and intolerance is becoming more common. Gluten does change the taste a little bit but after forcing my family to eat a gluten free brownie and a normal brownie they couldn’t tell the difference.

Another thing to clear up, going gluten-free doesn’t make you lose weight as there is no evidence that cutting gluten from your diet will help you lose those few pounds before homecoming. All it would do is help you stay away from fast food as practically nothing but the grilled nuggets at Chick-fil-A is gluten free. But in case you decide not to trust me, be careful because after not eating gluten for a while, one could actually develop an intolerance as their stomach would not be able to digest the now unfamiliar substance.

All in all, people who have celiac and people with a gluten intolerance are given a lot of grief for their diet and for no reason. Many people can go undiagnosed or be treated for something else but really all they need is to change their diet. If you think gluten might be an issue for you, the Celiac Disease Foundation offers a symptoms quiz to help people get the right treatment, a health practitioner search to get with the right doctors and tips on how to live a gluten-free life.