Celiac Disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. That means. No bread, doughnuts, FATZ rolls, cake or cookies. Anything that has wheat flour is a no and even “just a little” is a no.

There is gluten in everything from ChapStick to dried cherries from Wal-Mart.

Celiac Disease also coexists with other issues like acid reflux and lactose intolerance; I suffer from both.

Eating anywhere except home is an extreme affair. Most of the population either does not know about celiac disease or think it is some diet fad or does not care.

I have very negative reactions from gluten; three or four day long reactions of stomach pain and continuous sprints to the nearest restroom. This is not a “diet fad” to me.

I understand that a gluten free diet is a new trend to people, but for me that is not the case.

Who gives up biscuits willingly?

Eating anywhere except home is stressful. I always ask the waiter or waitress to tell the kitchen staff that I have an allergy, and I can tell when they didn’t.

I have sent hundreds of plates and asked restaurants, “Can I just have my money back?” if it is not safe. I am not risking getting sick; vomiting is not how I like to spend my Friday nights.

Through the eye rolls and huffs of frustration I receive at restaurants, I appreciate the safety I know is at home.

Home is where my mom and stepfather make sure everything we buy is safe for “Erica consumption” and they always double check.

I wish it was not as stressful as it is to eat anywhere and that I could eat more than one thing at a restaurant, but in a couple of years, maybe, people will take my food intolerance as serious as a peanut allergy.

I wish people took others’ decisions and allergies more seriously.