“No thank you, I’m allergic to gluten.” I’m no stranger to that phrase. I have Celiac’s disease. Celiac.org says it is a serious autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. Basically, my life gets pretty uncomfortable if I eat gluten. I have had some pretty strange conversations in social situations with people who seem to want to better understand just what happens if I do eat gluten. Or maybe, they just think I’m a liar?
A new survey from SWNS Digital found 30% of Americans say they have been “food shamed” due to dietary requirements or preferences. 29% of people have been accused of lying about their dietary needs, and 38% have been told they are being delusional. The survey also found:
- 25% say they get embarrassed for being criticized about their food issues
- 22% suffer anxiety because of them
- 20% say they actually eat the food they shouldn’t eat rather than cause a fuss, even though they know it could make them sick
- 10% say that during lockdown they’ve struggled to find foods that meet their needs
Have you ever been “food shamed”? How do you respond?
