Celebrities Who Just Don't Get It
Monday
The Art Of Ignorance
I'm sure you have heard about the Jennifer Lawrence debacle by now. If you haven't, well, she pretty much summed up gluten free as a new form of anorexia. Not cool and really ignorant.
Why is it that famous people feel the need to continually talk publicly about things which they are definitely not educated about?
I will tell you why.
The media does a fantastic job of glorifying gluten free as a trend. Rarely does anyone talk about Celiac. When they do, its nothing more than a fluff piece that overlooks the ugly side of this autoimmune disease. Those with the opportunity to educate the masses spend their time sensationalizing silliness and feeding people incorrect information. Many Doctors don't even really understand Celiac and many go about diagnosing it incorrectly.
As a result, the general public is pretty misguided about an already complex and misunderstood disease. This is why I don't entirely lay blame on J-Law and others like her. I'm sure she has received a fare share of backlash from our community. As a result, I hope she has become a little more educated on the matter at hand.
If you are planning on reaching out to her via social media, remember to keep it respectful and insightful.
Why is it that famous people feel the need to continually talk publicly about things which they are definitely not educated about?
I will tell you why.
The media does a fantastic job of glorifying gluten free as a trend. Rarely does anyone talk about Celiac. When they do, its nothing more than a fluff piece that overlooks the ugly side of this autoimmune disease. Those with the opportunity to educate the masses spend their time sensationalizing silliness and feeding people incorrect information. Many Doctors don't even really understand Celiac and many go about diagnosing it incorrectly.
As a result, the general public is pretty misguided about an already complex and misunderstood disease. This is why I don't entirely lay blame on J-Law and others like her. I'm sure she has received a fare share of backlash from our community. As a result, I hope she has become a little more educated on the matter at hand.
If you are planning on reaching out to her via social media, remember to keep it respectful and insightful.
I logged into Twitter today and saw this beauty care of Gluten Dude
Ryan Seacrest, you sir have made a mad woman of me.
In no way do I own Gluten Free, but when people throw the term around like they are about to endure some sort of miracle procedure, it makes me LIVID. I have a private temper tantrum in my head, feet stomping and colorful words included.
Why do Ryan Seacrest and the other fadsters get me so agitated when they "try" gluten free? Well for one, there is no try for Celiac's It is what it is and we must maintain a STRICT Gluten Free diet. We can't just decide to live on the wild side and indulge a little bit. It's more serious than these people care to understand.
Because this "star" with 8,528,668 Twitter followers has decided to try Gluten Free for half a second, he has inadvertently set the ball rolling backwards for us by hindering any progress that has been made in regards to understanding and safety. Thanks man!
Did he even end up trying anything Gluten Free? Most likely not.Well, maybe he had a sip of water.
Its moments like this that make eating at a restaurant so freaking risky! Perhaps I Am presented with the waitress who apparently "gets it" because shes avoiding wheat for her figure. Or what about the Chef that has had one too many people order a Gluten Free meal and then request a side of bread? Danger.
What Ryan Seacrest probably doesn't know is that a Gluten Free diet is higher in fat and lower in fiber.On its own it is simply unhealthy. Period. There needs to be a variety of fruit and vegetables along with minimal sugary treats and carbs in any "diet".Yes Ryan Seacrest, even Gluten Free has carbs.
The Gluten Free club, is something I don't want to belong to. It chose me. I'm the one who gets to deal with the nasty and extremely painful side effects of cross contamination or misrepresentation on a label. Mr. Seacrest doesn't understand that.
Food is social. Don't make it harder for me. I'm not a trend or fad. I'm Celiac.
Ryan Seacrest, you sir have made a mad woman of me.
In no way do I own Gluten Free, but when people throw the term around like they are about to endure some sort of miracle procedure, it makes me LIVID. I have a private temper tantrum in my head, feet stomping and colorful words included.
Why do Ryan Seacrest and the other fadsters get me so agitated when they "try" gluten free? Well for one, there is no try for Celiac's It is what it is and we must maintain a STRICT Gluten Free diet. We can't just decide to live on the wild side and indulge a little bit. It's more serious than these people care to understand.
Because this "star" with 8,528,668 Twitter followers has decided to try Gluten Free for half a second, he has inadvertently set the ball rolling backwards for us by hindering any progress that has been made in regards to understanding and safety. Thanks man!
Its moments like this that make eating at a restaurant so freaking risky! Perhaps I Am presented with the waitress who apparently "gets it" because shes avoiding wheat for her figure. Or what about the Chef that has had one too many people order a Gluten Free meal and then request a side of bread? Danger.
The Gluten Free club, is something I don't want to belong to. It chose me. I'm the one who gets to deal with the nasty and extremely painful side effects of cross contamination or misrepresentation on a label. Mr. Seacrest doesn't understand that.
Food is social. Don't make it harder for me. I'm not a trend or fad. I'm Celiac.
Friday
Dean McDermott Said WHAT ?
Yesterday morning I read the NFCA Celiac Central Newsletter for February 2012. Nothing unusual there. I love to keep up to date with the valuable information they provide. Then I scrolled down to the Q&A with Tori's Dean...
I want to point out that the wonderful people at Allergic Living made a special note for readers, advising that they stick to a 100% Gluten Free Diet.
Where to begin?! Surprised, frustrated, disappointed and alarmed should just about cover my feelings here.
Dean McDermott, husband of Tori Spelling, spoke about how he was diagnosed with Celiac Disease about a year and a half ago.
There are three very troubling parts of this interview for me:
- He is in culinary school and regularly samples his non gluten free dishes.
Even the gluten in the air is affecting him and he has no clue to it. Although he may not feel the affects as boldly as some, he is still reacting the same internally. I would like to see him attend a 100% GF cooking class. Not only will this prevent him from having to sample gluten containing food, but it will educate him on how to create safe dishes for himself.
- Dean states that he is on the lower end of the spectrum of Celiac Disease therefore his physician is not terribly concerned if he consumes gluten here and there.
First of all, WHAT ?!?
Such a dangerous comment to make. Especially dangerous as it is coming from someone with a fan base. A fan base that will take what he says seriously.
This is why education is needed. As for his Doctor? Time for a new one Mr. McDermott! My goodness, the Hollywood is crazy stigma is alive and well.
I emailed the Canadian Celiac Association in regards to this article and below is a response from Jim McCarthy, Executive Director.
Hi Sandra,
The celebrity’s doctor is wrong – there is no ‘spectrum’. No one, not even celebrities, who have been properly diagnosed can eat food containing gluten.
Jim McCarthy
Executive Director
Canadian Celiac Association
Ph: 905-507-6208 x224
Toll-free: 1-800-363-7296
Fax: 905-507-4673
E: ed@celiac.ca
- He is planning on opening a Gluten Free restaurant
Would YOU eat a a restaurant run by someone diagnosed with Celiac Disease that does not strictly adhere to a Gluten Free diet? I know I wouldn't!
At the end of the day people either have Celiac Disease or they don't. There is no in between and there is no wacky way to dodge the effects of gluten consumption. It's unfortunate that there are clearly many Doctor's who are not properly educated about Celiac Disease
I want to point out that the wonderful people at Allergic Living made a special note for readers, advising that they stick to a 100% Gluten Free Diet.
Some people just don't understand....
I sent an email to CBS this morning regarding the show 2 Broke Girls.
I missed Monday night's episode but I would like to thank my friend Jax of Gluten Free Ontario for making me aware of this poor attempt at humour. Please view the clip below and then read on to see my email.
Good morning.
I am writing you today not only out of serious concern, but out of disappointment. On Monday nites episode of 2 Broke Girls, there was a joke about the Gluten Free diet. I find it to be in very poor taste!
Celiac Disease is a SERIOUS medical condition. I have Celiac Disease and I need to be conscious EVERYTHING I consume. I am not doing so to "mask an eating disorder" as the show implied. A tiny speck of wheat/gluten can make me severely ill.
1 in 133 people in the United States have Celiac Disease. It is a hereditary (My mother has the Disease as well) autoimmune disease, which left untreated can lead to life threatening disorders. There is no cure for Celiac Disease. The only way I can keep my body from attacking itself is by maintaining a strict Gluten Free diet. Yes, this means I have to ask every server at every restaurant about Gluten Free options available. This also means I have to double check to make sure that everyone preparing my meal understands that I can become seriously ill if they do not prepare my meal 100% Gluten Free.
Your most recent airing of 2 Broke Girls puts my life and the lives of other Celiac's in danger. This "joke" of sorts is the reason I fear going to a restaurant. I do not deserve to be made fun of, belittled or have my health taken lightly. Would you suggest that someone with a peanut allergy is just trying to lose weight? Or claiming that they can't eat something for attention? No, you wouldn't! Just because I will not drop on the floor dead the moment I ingest Gluten, does not mean that my body is not reacting negatively! I won't go into details, but feel free to visit the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness website for the not so lovely particulars.
"Untreated celiac disease can be life threatening. Celiacs are more likely to be afflicted with problems relating to malabsorption, including osteoporosis, tooth enamel defects, central and peripheral nervous system disease, pancreatic disease, internal hemorrhaging, organ disorders (gall bladder, liver, and spleen), and gynecological disorders. Untreated celiac disease has also been linked an increased risk of certain types of cancer, especially intestinal lymphoma." This quote is direct from the University of Maryland Centre for Celiac Research.
And just so you are aware, I would NOT be on a Gluten Free diet if I did not have to be!!! It is extremely expensive. Would you pay $8.00 for a loaf of bread better suited as a brick if you had a choice? Decent tasting and nutritious food can be difficult to come by and best of all, I get to deal with people not taking my health seriously! It is not my intention to make a server's job difficult. I have to look out for myself as it is clear that real life will unfortunately be mimicking your show.
I would like an apology for myself and other people who have Celiac Disease.
Sincerely,
Sandra Lajoie
***If you would like to make a complaint about this epsiode please visit the CBSFeedback Form***
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