DH's family and Gluten

[PumpkinSpiceEverything]

Cncnhdhdhfhruruednxnxbcbsjsjdjfheuhcncnfc

Need to rant somewhere that people might actually understand/sympathise. Husband has been on a trial elimination diet for gluten for about a week now, pending thyroid and other blood tests (good old NHS taking their sweet time) due to a variety of symptoms, ranging from digestive issues to chronic fatigue (and I mean like falling asleep at the wheel in the middle of the day for no reason tired). Long story short, we're visiting his family this weekend down south and they're not very receptive and think it's all a big trend/joke (did I mention he's had significant symptom improvement in just a week on this elimination diet?) and refuse to take it seriously so they're serving pasta and bread/sausage sandwiches for breakfast and we've been instructed to bring our own food.

AIBU to think it's totally rude for them to not take their son's health seriously? I mean, his father would rather (openly) take gout and high blood pressure medication every day instead of eat healthier and cut back on drinking, if that's any indication of their mindset. Apparently the Daily Fail also published a riveting article about the "trend" of being gluten free so that doesn't help, as they regard that newspaper (I use the term lightly) as fact. I was already prepared and have packed food, knowing them... but it still bugs the pants off of me.

Skip this visit for now, and start prepping for when you do go in future. If he's advised to continue down this route, then the problem with his DPs is likely to crop up.

I'm another one with Hashimotos and other thyroid issues that have been greatly benefitted from going gluten free (and some other foods too). I'm not well, but I'm not as bad at least. My DPs are fairly similar in that they think its just a fad despite me being 3 years into it and not seeing anything like the problems I'd had before then. Sometimes I just don't eat with everyone else. I've brought my own gravy round for roast dinners before.

I wouldnt say H family were rude, I would say stupid and ignorant. I had a similar situation, with a relative of mine, had to adhere to s special diet for a serious and potentially dangerous condition, took my own food to visit her. Told her in advance, she kept on and on, told me my diet was weird and so am I. She actually has a relative by marriage who has full blown celiac desease, and diabetics in the family, she kept on and on, asking "well, can you eat this, can you drink this" kept saying no. She is my only living relative, quite a long way away, otherwise I woulc make sure I didnt have o be there at a meal time, in her 90 s. Like your DH family, she is very overweight,has gallstones,liver problems and eats and drinks what she likes. Article in the DM a few days ago saying food can be better alternative for you often than drugs, ie, diabetese, hoping she read that! My best friend on the other hand, (I took my packed lunch with me) had done me a whole meal,right down to baking bread, told my relative that, she said "Huh, you would get me doing that", never asked her, got really cross my this point said "would you rather kill me"!!!

sorry meant she said "you WOULDNT get me doing that"

I have been diagnosed as being gluten intolerant (investigated as part of a hospital trial for people who have IBS). I was really sceptical but tried going gluten free as I hadn't nothing to lose. I was really surprised to feel much better and to lose my IBS symptoms within a few days of stopping eating gluten.

It is a right pain being gluten free, so anyone thinking I am doing it for attention or fun is misguided... Its totally fine at home but the difficulties are mainly because of social events. I feel bad when I have to tell people I can't eat this and that or I have to suggest certain cafes where we can meet up. I appreciate that it is much, much more serious for Coeliacs though. I think it is really hard because of the "faddy diet" view that so many people have. I am not doing it for weight loss, it's bloomin inconvenient!

Friends and family are mainly great about it but I still have problems with people not realising that they need to cut their bread away from my food. And not use a butter knife that has been wiped all over their gluten-y bread and then stick it back in the butter I am using!

I agree with posters who say cancel the visit for now to give your DH a chance to try the new diet. If he feels it does work for him then I suggest he refers to it in future to his parents as " being medically advised by the Doctor that I have to avoid gluten".

I am sure you have found that finding alternative meal options is not so easy and rather more expensive. Unfortunately, this is your DH's burden to bear. Just take some gluten-free food with you.

Also, YANBU. They are being very inconsiderate. Why on earth would they not want to help him try something that could help him feel better ( even if it takes a bit of getting used to for them)?

Well done you for supporting him. If you have to go this weekend, packing your own food is a great idea. And if they persist in moaning about it or making sarky comments perhaps he needs to give them some hard truths - e.g. telling them about the danger of him falling asleep at the wheel or some graphic descriptions of how long he will be stuck on the toilet if they give him a regular bowl of pasta...

I also say don't go. They aren't being supportive and chances are they'll take the piss and may think it's amusing to sabotage his diet. Wait until after the tests. And tell them why you aren't going. It may make them take this a bit more seriously.

Do people really think having to have a gluten free diet is a fad? I have a couple of friends that can't have gluten and it looks like a total pita and is expensive. I don't think anyone would do this for the sake of it surely?

Even if they were supportive, they'd be likely to make a lot of mistakes with food if it's all new to them. Take your own or don't go (I'd say the latter because I'd not want to listen to a load of Hate Mail tripe).