Gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, lactose intolerant, wheat allergy, peanut allergy… the list goes on.

My sophomore year of college I was officially diagnosed with celiac disease and have been gluten free ever since. After being diagnosed everything made sense; the low weight my entire life, getting sick as soon as getting to JMU, having a horrible immune system, my asthma and a litany of other symptoms. Going gluten free has made me feel immensely better and it is very obvious when I have accidentally consumed gluten.

Thankfully, I was diagnosed during a time where celiac and gluten intolerances are gaining more recognition and research so eating gluten free is easier than it has been in the past. Even JMU has gotten better over the past two and a half years I have been gluten free.

But I was also diagnosed when going gluten free was becoming a “fad” diet. Some people thought I was faking and that celiac isn’t a real disease, including some of my family members. But what people don’t realize is a gluten free diet is not necessarily healthy. Many gluten free foods have more sugars added in order to help the food taste like “normal” food. After going gluten free my most frequently asked question was, “Did you lose a lot of weight?” Actually no, I finally began gaining weight because I could properly digest my food without damaging my intestines.

I was dumbfounded when I heard people were going gluten free by choice. I’ve struggled with the diet ever since being diagnosed. Imagine all your favorite foods being taken away and knowing you would get sick if you continued to eat them. Why would anyone voluntarily do that?

So where is this rant going? Well, in my child psychopathology class this week we discussed eating disorders and disordered eating in children and adolescents. I was shocked to find out people are claiming they have a wheat allergy or gluten intolerance in order to not have to eat certain foods. What?  Why on earth would anyone want to be on such a restricted diet?

First I was shocked and then I was angry. That explains why dining hall employees ask me if I’m actually gluten free when going to the g-free station or when I’m trying to order a gluten free wrap. Does this mean people think I have a disordered pattern of eating? Do people still think after 2.5 years I’m using this as an excuse not to eat certain foods? It saddens me to think that some people are using legitimate allergies and diseases as ways to restrict their own diets and lose weight in an unhealthy manner. It’s a trend that I hope won’t pick up any more momentum and will soon start to peter out.

For more information on healthy eating, visit the CDC’s site.