I am not on a diet. 

I am not excluding gluten from my diet to be trendy, or lose weight.

I cannot eat it. It triggers depression, arthritis, stomach pain, swelling, anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness, paranoia, headaches, migraines. 

When I politely refuse the food you offer or refuse to order something at a dining place that can’t assure me it’s food is completely gluten free, I am not being modest, or denying myself something fun. Please, please, PLEASE respect that.

PLEASE do NOT encourage me to ‘cheat.’

You are offering me poison. My ‘no thanks!“ is a no thanks. 

Do not tell me “C'mon, just this once–cheat.’

You are offering me harm. I smile and shake my head and say, “I can’t. It’s not cheating. It’d hurt me.” I know my body. It is mine, and I know what it can and cannot have. I listen to it. I go through painful measures to keep any and all temptation from my life. I am forced to shell out obscene amounts of money for a diet that means I feel okay. 

Literally nothing in my ‘no thanks’ reflects badly upon you, or your diet choices. By ALL means, if you can eat gluten, do. It’s delicious.

I can’t. I don’t mind that you offer, or forget. But please respect that I will decline. Please know this is not a game to me where I can ‘cheat’.