"Ew, isn't Gluten Free food gross?"
"Wow, that's impressive, I could never do that..."
"Could you just imagine so and so trying to eat that?"
Just out of curiosity, why does this term spark so much... prejudice?
Apparently, these folks either A: never eat anything but bread (and only white bread), or bread-like processed junk, B: never eat ANY fruits, veggies or meats, or C: have absolutely, positively no idea what is in the food they eat.
Is it really that complicated to turn a box over, and read what's in it? Apparently so. It's my life, so I'm used to it. Heck, as a kid, I used to read the labels on the back on the cereal box because I had to be reading something at all times (but that's just the geek in me, lol).
So, while yes, I do have to memorize a million different ways to read "wheat", companies are really getting on the ball about being upfront about their food. In all honesty, its more profitable for them if they do. Food allergies are being diagnosed more and more, and people need to know that what they're eating isn't going to harm them. We're less likely to buy something if 99% of the ingredients cannot actually be pronounced with a human tongue.
A lot of the 'prejudice' might come from the fact that we are so used to processed foods. So few people bake their own bread even anymore. We want easy, right? We are an industrialized country, and women (or men) shouldn't have to slave all day in the kitchen to bake bread. We want to go to the store, and buy a bag of green beans that are already cut, washed, and ready to be cooked (or are already cooked!). Just pop them in the microwave for a few minutes, and you're set.
Being gluten free, well, it isn't usually that easy. Yes, yes, there's a TON of GF convenience foods - but most of them taste awful, or are awful for your body. Part of doing this is to be healthier... at least it is for me. It's not really a fad weight loss diet - I simply want to feel better. I've felt like crap for so many years, and I really don't want to feel that way anymore!
But, I'd really like to not get the 'looks' when I mention I made something. I make bread. It tastes good. I make pizza, and it tastes like pizza! (I am not dairy free, while the 4 y.o. is by necessity - I love cheese, and so does the husband and the 2 y.o.).
Maybe its hard for me to imagine what you eat, ever think that way? I know there are countries that don't eat beef - you can bet they find it hard to imagine that we eat it! Perhaps, as I was always told, we should all go by the adage of "Don't knock it til you try it."
My ultra-picky husband has managed to swallow everything I've made for him, with little complaint (there's always a complaint about it being too dry or too moist... hey, I'm still learning!). But most of the time, he's pleasantly surprised that it tastes good! Heck, I'm pleasantly surprised sometimes...
So don't wrinkle that nose at me when I mention what I made. It must have tasted good, because I'm not starving to death :).
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