People go on gluten-free diets for a lot of reasons - and while many of them do it for actual health reasons, others…don’t. Anyone who knows people on a gluten-free diet has probably met one (or all) of these types.
1. The Eternal Follower
This person overheard on the subway once that being gluten-free helps you lose weight. They then proceeded to throw away all of the pasta, bread, cereal and crackers in their house and make all their friends to the same. They don’t really understand being gluten-free, but they’ve tried every other diet too so why not.
How to spot them: Follow the sound of their overenthusiastic exclamations about how they never realized they could still eat dessert “on a diet.”
2. The Health Snob
These people are kind of like the followers, but they heard from someone at Crossfit that a gluten-free diet helps your brain, muscles, hair, teeth, eyes and joints. They swear that they can see in the dark better now and can run a four-minute mile.
How to spot them: Yell out “gluten is good for you” in a crowded room.
3. Gluten-Free By Proxy
These people have a significant other/best friend/roommate who is gluten free, so by obligation they are too. They might not be happy about it 100% of the time, but if it makes their loved one happy, it’s worth it to them. They might even like some of the GF recipes their loved one makes, even if they won’t admit it.
How to spot them: Usually following their GF person around Whole Foods.
4. The Humblebragger
This person went gluten-free not for health or vanity reasons, but simply because they wanted something to make them a little “different” that they could insert into every conversation. Note: this species is not as obnoxious as the humblebragging vegan, but still annoying.
How to spot them: The one at the bar who’s looking disdainfully at your mozzarella sticks. If you make eye contact they’ll probably start talking about how they don’t even remember the last time they had bread.
5. The Gluten Intolerant/Actual Celiac
These people are the ones who will get physically sick if they consume gluten. Sometimes they get bummed out about not being able to eat whatever they want anytime, but they’ve learned how to live with it and still eat delicious stuff.
How to spot them: These people usually don’t stand out unless you actually eat with them. Then they’ll probably ask you or the waiter if something has gluten, or maybe bring their own food with them.
Do you know of any other types of people on a gluten-free diet? Tell us in the comments below!
