We can't resist sharing this article from a recent issue of Time Out New York magazine. It projects everything we're adamantly against, image-wise: the sour image of the allergic and/or intolerant person's mindset. There's even some scary misinformation in there. Below is the letter we wrote in response, but it was never published. You'll see what we mean…
In response to Issue No. 408, "Rash Decision" by Sari Botton:We greatly appreciate the effort to educate the public about food allergies and the challenges of dealing with them in everyday life. Even though the transitional period after discovering these sensitivities may seem overwhelming, it doesn't have to be such a drag. "Is there a sexy way to inform someone that you can't eat pizza crust because of an icky intestinal problem called celiac sprue?" Sexy? No. However, we've found that it is less awkward to simply state, "I choose not to eat wheat or dairy," and at that point, "Why?" can be answered with, "Oh, I have uncomfortable reactions to them." Most people will catch on that you're sparing them the uncomfortable details, and no one can accuse you of wearing your gastrointestinal woes on your sleeve. In addition, you will feel more comfortable having not set yourself up to look like a hypochondriac.
Knowing what you can enjoy proves helpful when planning where to go for dinner and drinks (Sari, you may be reacting to only grain alcohols, and there are options). New York City is full of many options when it comes to the dining experience, and our allergic friends shouldn't have to "suffer socially," as Sari lamented.
Which leads to the importance of NEVER EVER EVER 'cheating' when suffering from celiac sprue. The damage can result in malnutrition, anemia, osteoporosis and cancer! (For more information, see this article in the NY Times.) TimeOut readers should know more than anyone else that with the abundant diversity of restaurants, all those with food restrictions need never feel left out.
(FYI, allergies to latex and Nonoxynol-9 are not so uncommon and would be easier to discuss, perhaps, with someone you've known for [ahem] more than a few weeks, as in the case of "Joe". And TONY, you really owe it to your readers a bold clarification that lambskin condoms, although used as an alternative to latex, DO NOT prevent the spread of STDs!!!)
Once you learn how to deal with these issues positively, instead of feeling "handicapped" by them, you will benefit from a sense of accomplishment and of taking control of your health and well-being.
Kim and Kelly
www.celiacchicks.com
The cool resource guide to a hip and healthy celiac lifestyle
Bravo Kelly! Great response and I really like your opinion on the mindset – that holds so true. I often worry that am giving people the wrong impression that eating gluten free is extremely difficult. To a new comer it can be overwhelming. But the benefits far outweigh the what others may view as inconveniences. I can’t believe the language and approach of this article, “a sexy way to inform…”, c’mon! Anyways thanks for the news.
You two rock. Oh, hi, Kelly, I’m Jessie, Kim’s friend. Nice to meet you! This is my first time here, and well, I tooootally love the site. It’s funny, it’s smart, it’s hip, it’s “edgy” -whatever that means. No, it’s fabulous- the girl who wrote that thing about ‘how can I say this in a sexy way?!’ should be hung upside down by her OPI #7 Pretty in Pink toenails, and then shot. Kidding, of course. We should leave her toenails alone, that’s a good color and shouldn’t be wasted. Anyway I’m jealous…I wish I could be a celiac TOO! You go girls! See you soon… xo
Hi.
Someone directed me to your reaction to my Time Out piece, and I felt it was important for me to respond.
To begin with, my piece was a personal essay, dealing with my own personal experiences – I personally find it a drag to have to inform people of the many things of which I shouldn’t parttake. I think some other people can relate; and others may feel the way you do.
I addressed several allergies and intollerances in the piece, not just celiac. The alcohol allergy is separate – wine affects me more than anything else. I think it was clear in the piece that my other allergies and intollerances were not all related to celiac – celiac was just one of several issues I was dealing with. Certainly my latex and nonoxynol nine allergies have nothing to do with celiac, nor does my dairy intollerance.
As far as “cheating goes,” where food intollerances and celiac are concerned, it depends on the perspective of the doctor you talk to, and the severity of your condition. There are different opinions in the medical community, and different experiences among people with celiac and other intollerances. In my own experience, having an occasional drink, piece of cheese, or even something made with wheat, does not have a a catastrophic effect. A little discomfort, and that’s all. But that’s my case.
What disturbs me about your letter is that you pass judgement on the point at which I revealed to “Joe” that I couldn’t use regular condoms. This seems to go beyond just disagreeing with some points in my article (which, I will point out again, was not solely about celiac). What does this have to do with celiac? Is there some secret celiac code I don’t know about that indicates what number date is appropriate for intimacy? Why go to the extent of character assassination?
- Sari Botton
Sari,
We understand that the article you wrote was your personal experience and we in no way doubt the difficulties you have encountered in dealing with a restrictive diet. I am a Celiac Sprue veteran of ten years and I do relate to the awkwardness, especially in the beginning stages. Imagine ten years ago before the Atkins craze, asking for a hamburger without a bun. Thank goodness times have changed in that regard. I also have to avoid dairy and corn as tag-a-long intolerances due to the damage of Celiac Sprue. In addition, I have in the past followed the Candida diet which is very restrictive. Even though we easily identified with your plight while reading your article, we saw the need for some clarifications.
It is true that there are different opinions in regards to food intolerances aside from Celiac Sprue. However, according to the experts, adhering to the diet to treat Celiac Sprue is a serious matter even if you are asymptomatic; in other words, if your symptoms are “not catastrophic” or mild. You may want to consider what the COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY DIVISION OF DIGESTIVE AND LIVER DISEASES has to say about this:
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/gi/celiac.html
Why treat celiac disease?
In symptomatic patients the obvious answer is to relieve debilitating symptoms. What about individuals who have minimal symptoms or who are asymptomatic? There are two reasons to treat such individuals with a gluten-free diet: 1) a subgroup of these patients will progress to more severe disease and hence develop symptoms and 2) there is an increased incidence of small intestinal lymphomas and adenocarcinomas in individuals with celiac disease. The increased incidence of cancer seems to correlate with the degree of intestinal inflammation (activity) present, as individuals whose disease responded to a gluten-free diet and who remained compliant with the diet had a lower incidence of such cancers.
And also:
STEFANO GUANDALINE, MD, Director, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CELIAC DISEASE PROGRAM
http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2003/20030210-celiac.html
“People who are diagnosed late or who continue to eat gluten have a higher prevalence of autoimmune diseases ”
Regarding your mention of “character assassination”, that was not our intent. Our main concern with the Joe situation was that you and others should be aware, especially with a new partner, that lambskin condoms do not protect against STD’s. Even TONYs Sexpert, Jamie Bufalino has boldly addressed this issue in years past. http://www.timeoutny.com/getnaked/183/183.getnaked.html
TONY magazine is a huge platform to speak from and therefore we believe it has a responsibility to be accurate when it comes to such a serious health issue. We thought that you and your readers would appreciate this possible life-saving clarification.
Again, we empathize with the range of intolerances that you are dealing with and we encourage you and your readers to make an informed choice when it comes to your health. Therefore, these risks needed to be addressed.
Best intentions,
Kelly
Thank you so much Kim and Kelly! I was just diagnosed with celiac this year after suffering for almost a decade with bizarre symptoms and constant pain. While I understand Ms. Botton’s frustrations with her intolerances, I share your view that “cheating” is impermissible. Not only will it do internal damage (whether or not you have external symptoms), but it is not a healthy mindset. I have learned not only to live with celiac, but to embrace it. I probably would never have learned to make fresh bread or ice cream or tried Malaysian food without it. I think I live a better life now, and my boyfriend also enjoys gluten-free foods (because they’re homemade and delicious)! Furthermore, it is confusing for non-celiacs to see us being contradictory. I find being consistent in my diet helps others to understand what I can/cannot eat.
Along those lines, I am hoping that this site will post some information about kitchen appliances that make gluten-free lives easier. Personally I adore my bread machine and am now looking for a pasta maker…
Thanks again for the site; it’s nice to see other young urban chicks who don’t mind skipping bagels for breakfast. As a budding lawyer I feel like I get the brunt of jokes for being picky when I eat. Take care, and be healthy!
Your friend,
Marisa
Check out ONJU in NYC – they have an extensive Risotto selection and it is good and friendly and fun!