​I just wanted to preface this article (if one can even call it that) by stating my gluten allergy is NOT indicative of my personality.  Use that information at your own discretion. 
  
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way… I want to make clear that having a gluten allergy in sunny California is not what it’s made out to be. It must be known when I say, “I’m sorry, I can’t eat that I’m allergic to gluten” I wholeheartedly mean that! I am not by any means trying to sound pretentious, I REALLY WILL THROW UP! I believe there is a demographic I must address: Californians who refuse to eat gluten by choice. Unlike them, I have no choice. Yes, I get that it’s healthier but the amount of looks I’ve gotten when I’ve said I’m allergic to gluten have been astonishing, and not in a good way! Usually I receive a “I feel so sorry for you” or “what do you mean'' type of reaction. You would think there’d be a million gluten free options in California but I have yet to find bread that doesn’t disintegrate at the touch. My biggest fear when I go to college is that I will be labeled as ‘The Californian’ because of my gluten allergy.I do not mean to blame others for my allergy but I do wish that the next time I go to a restaurant they will understand the consequences consuming gluten has on me. I don’t want to be an inconvenience to people, but my gluten allergy puts me at a constant disposition to do so. 

P.S. At this given moment I would love nothing more than a glazed donut. 

​Sincerely,
  
A donut deprived, gluten-intolerant, gluten lover, 
  
Bean