HomeAnswersInternal Medicinegluten-free dietPlease suggest ways to convince my husband about my gluten-free diet.

How to convince my husband about my gluten-free diet?

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At October 22, 2016
Reviewed AtJuly 18, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have been having abdominal and thoracic pain for the past 16 years. I do like to describe the pain as irritation, burning, feeling like eating sandpaper; constant pulse to puff and burp, acid reflux and fire in my breast and stomach. I used tons of medications for years, such as proton pump inhibitors, antacids, etc. It is a constant and continuous problem. I tried every natural supplement for stomach, acid reflux, gut health and healing. I raised my bed, but nothing really worked.

Around seven years ago, I was tested for Celiac disease, but all tests came back negative. I never considered gluten as being a problem for me. Until, out of desperation and pain, a year ago I tried anyway to go off gluten. After a week, I had my life back. I could not believe it. All the symptoms were completely gone. After some time, the symptoms came back and then by recalling the events, I realized that I had made a mistake. On some evenings my pains were back. Finally, when analyzing what I did, I realized I started taking a nutritional supplement in a powder form. I checked the label and it said that manufactured in a facility that also processes gluten. Also, I had a beer. I forgot about the barley in that moment and got sick again. When I started buying the whole roasted chicken, my symptoms were back. There was no gluten containing ingredients on the label, so I did not pay much of attention. Finally, I got to know that the spices have traces of gluten. It is relevant to know that I did not like the taste and I had no time to cook or to heat it, so I used to remove the skin completely, and rinse the chicken pieces thoroughly under the hot running tap water using a strainer until the flesh was completely white and then, I eat. I ate some cashews and was sick again. The label stated that the facility also processes wheat.I got graduated in Food Science Technology with honors last year. I am a quality assurance manager in a food industry. I have an academic education, training, and work experience in both the fields involved in the topic of gluten and allergens in general. Also, I aware of the topic from the point of view of the human body, health, nutrition, immune system and antigen interaction, nutritional sciences, nutritional related gastroenterology, clinical nutrition, from the point of view of the food itself, its substrates, components, chemistry, etc. In spite of all these things, when I eat together with my husband, it is often an argument and absurd things happen. For example, that it is my invention that I should not share the same tools, especially if they are made of wood, etc. When I say it is my background they answer that I think I know everything. It is not everything, but it is my job.

I have no words and I am speechless that how can someone with a business background tell to a dietitian and food technician that you are totally wrong or what you say has no chemical basis. He is expressing a sure judgement in a subject totally different from his job and that is totally related to mine. I am astonished. Please, I would really appreciate it if you could say something; I hope he will at least believe to what you say. I would be grateful if you could help me to clarify a misunderstanding that is going on at home. Because, many times a kind of tension develops when we eat together.

Answered by Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for the excellent history, and sharing your background as a dietitian really helped.

First of all, as you may know, celiac disease cannot be proved solely by a chemical basis. It is possible to have negative serology results with biopsy-proven celiac disease.

The investigation of choice for celiac disease is colonoscopy with biopsy, which can show crypt villus distortion, atrophy, and inflammatory infiltrate.

I completely agree with your decision to follow a gluten-free diet, as there are various degrees of sensitivity. Even slight contamination can cause discomfort, similar to lactose intolerance.

I would encourage you to continue your efforts for yourself, and also consider seeing a gastroenterologist. Regular colonoscopy is recommended due to the increased risk of colon cancer associated with celiac disease.

The most interesting part is that the disease process, including inflammation and villus atrophy, can reverse with long-term adherence to a gluten-free diet. I am not even sure if your colon biopsy will show active disease, but it is still necessary for colon cancer screening.

Regarding your husband, if you wish, I can speak to him on your behalf to help ease any concerns he may have. Alternatively, you can see a GI specialist first, explain the situation and your history, just as you did here, and then bring your husband along for the next visit. This may help provide him with peace of mind. Remember that he loves you and does not want you to be sick in any way. Perhaps he is expressing his concerns because he cares for your well-being.

I hope this information helps. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to ask.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sadaf Mustafa
Dr. Sadaf Mustafa

Internal Medicine

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a doctor online

Internal Medicine

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy