You know, we have a kid who doesn't eat gluten (not celiac but gluten gives him a stomachache - I have similar issues), and I am so freaking tired of people hating on gluten. Giving it up has not been some magical health miracle for us. It just means we don't have stomach pain after eating gluten. It hasn't fixed anything else. I tend to think that if people are sensitive to anything or get sick from certain foods, then they shouldn't eat them, but vilifying the food or yammering on at people who aren't sensitive is sort of pointless. And if glorious bagels and pizza crust and rye bread for tomato sandwiches didn't upset my insides, I would sure as hell be eating them anytime I wanted.

Anonymous wrote:I'm thinking you need to come up with your own set of dietary restrictions that feature large amounts of very high quality, delicious, high carb foods. Suggest that you should do food separately because your "needs" are so different. Eat large amounts of delicious food in front of her while she picks at a gluten free muffin (no offense to people with actual Celiac, because that would suck). Talk constantly about how amazing and energetic you feel with all these carbs coursing through your body.

Ha ha great solution!!

I'm thinking you need to come up with your own set of dietary restrictions that feature large amounts of very high quality, delicious, high carb foods. Suggest that you should do food separately because your "needs" are so different. Eat large amounts of delicious food in front of her while she picks at a gluten free muffin (no offense to people with actual Celiac, because that would suck). Talk constantly about how amazing and energetic you feel with all these carbs coursing through your body.

It really is so tiresome when people try to tell you what to eat. I can't wait for the gluten thing to pass, but something will inevitably come in to replace it.

I agree that because she's your SIL, you deal and grit your teeth. Were it your sister, I'd say politely and firmly to never, ever mention food in your presence again. A sweet STFU, now hand me the high-gluten bagels.

We have a lot of food preferences in my family - some of them are medical, some are not. My mom has an autoimmune condition that is easier for her to manage if she avoids dairy and wheat. She's been vegetarian for most of her life, so at home, she and my stepdad eat mostly vegan. When they are out, however, they are not bratty about it, and she doesn't try to regulate what the rest of us eat. For the most part, everyone is happy to accommodate. She will also splurge and eat something with dairy AND wheat in it, because she does truly love bread and cheese and giving them up was a sacrifice.

As for how you personally deal with your SIL, you don't. You treat her politely, try to steer the conversation to other matters, and go with the flow. Visits don't last forever.

LOL! My sister is on a Paleo kick and its the same situation. Its been going strong for 2 years now and she STILL feels the need to teach ppl about her ways. I honestly cringe when we are in public and she starts talking about it to whoever will listen because it comes off as sooooo smug.

I'm sure there's been a thread on this, but what is the best way to deal with a SIL who won't shut it about gluten-free? Her kids are not celiac; she does it because of Gwyneth. And here's the kicker. She's not even consistent. Her kids eat spaghetti and cake ("for special occasions") and I know she's not always consistent at home. She can do whatever she wants for her family to be healthy, but when we are all visiting family she makes family meals difficult and constantly draws attention to it. I just can't deal anymore. I almost wish she would go back to religion or politics (yes she is a very black & white person). Why does it have to be in every conversation? I don't care.