Living with Celiac Disease: The Mental Load We Don’t Talk About (Part 1)
Living with Celiac Disease is like having a full-time job… but instead of an office, it’s your brain, and the job description? Constant vigilance to avoid gluten. While your friends can grab a snack without a second thought, those of us with Celiac are out here, inspecting every ingredient. It’s not just about staying safe—it’s a mental marathon that never ends. Here’s a peek at the mental gymnastics we’re doing that you probably don’t even realize.
1. Checking Labels Over and Over Again
Ingredients change, cross-contamination risks shift, and what was once safe might not be anymore. Even when buying the same product you’ve eaten for years, you still have to check the label every single time.
2. The Constant “Did I Just Get Glutened?” Panic
Every stomach ache instantly triggers the same question: Did I get glutened? That anxiety never truly fades. It’s even worse when I go out to eat—especially at a new restaurant that isn’t 100% gluten-free. I often plan to go home afterward, just in case. It’s tough on my social life, but the fear of getting sick in public is very real.
3. The Emotional Toll of Social Situations
Weddings, parties, work events—will there be food you can eat? Will people get annoyed when you ask about it? If you bring your own food, will everyone think you’re weird? Will you have to deal with that one person who just has to ask why you’re not eating their pasta? The constant questioning and explaining can sometimes feel like a full-on emotional meltdown waiting to happen
4. Watching Everyone Else’s Hands Like a Hawk
It’s not just about what you eat—it’s about what everyone else eats and touches. If someone’s eating gluten and then grabs the remote, your phone, or game pieces, now you have to keep track of everything they’ve touched. That innocent-looking doorknob? Full of gluten crumbs. If you touch it, you have to wash your hands. And when someone who just ate gluten tries to grab your phone to show you something, it’s like, “Please don’t touch this until you’ve washed your hands.” It’s awkward.
It’s like being on constant high alert, monitoring every move and touch. And here’s the kicker—no one else even notices. You’re doing mental gymnastics every second, calculating what’s safe. It’s a silent mental burden, but it’s absolutely necessary to stay safe. Exhausting? You bet. But it’s the reality we live with.
I wish this was all we had to think about, but stay tuned for Part 2!
Do any of these resonate with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.