Going Gluten Free // Trying to not be annoying

Part 1 (in which I explain why I'm going to try a gluten free diet not that it is anyone's business)

One of my doctors suggested that I should try a gluten free diet to help identify and eliminate food that triggers my migraines. In the past I have never noticed a connection between what I eat and how I feel (In regards to headaches. Obviously if I eat 10 donuts I'll notice that I feel different than if I ear 10 fruit smoothies).

The reason I haven't noticed a correlation between food and my headaches could be that the trigger is something very very common that I would eat all the time such as *GASP* gluten! It may not be true that I have a gluten intolerance and it is totally different than Celiac's or anything like that. But cutting out foods with gluten also forces you to cut out a lot of preservatives and processed/packaged foods.

I cleaned out my pantry and put everything that had any of the gluten no-no's and all of it was boxed processed food - think graham crackers, flavored chips, fake fruit granola bars, candy, quick dinners like ramen/packaged noodles. So it kinda makes sense that cutting out gluten will help me eat better and cleaner.

It may not be gluten alone that is giving me headaches but a secondary ingredient that I would also cut out by eliminating gluten from my diet. So here I go! Into the GF world. I will do my best to not become a gluten free food elitist.

Any tips, good recipes, and words of encouragement regarding diet restrictions would be greatly appreciated!

Part 2 (in which I get a little ranty about badmouthing/ judging people's eating habits)

I know that being gluten free is seen as a trend or fad or fashionable and I feel super annoying and like a diet lemming! But one thing I have learned is that no one else know my body and how I feel better than me. So if others have opinions, thought, comments about how I eat, it doesn't really matter! If someone has diet restrictions due to allergies, religious/spiritual beliefs, personal tastes, health reasons, medicine interferences then let them do their own foody thing!

You have no idea what that person is dealing with physically and the effects eating the "wrong" foods can have on their health. No one with health issues and dietary restrictions wants to have them.

They aren't doing it to be difficult or annoying or get special attention. They aren't trying to be rude or offensive by turning down offers. As long as their choices aren't negatively affecting yours or their health then let them be.

The best thing you can do in any situation (not just food related) when faced with someone who is different is show them acceptance and respect. You may not understand WHY they are eating the way they eat or do the things they do, but you have to have to accept that that is the way they are.