Not for the weak of stomach ;)
“Is gluten really that bad for you? What would happen if you just had a little bite? Is it seriously that big of a deal?" I got these questions all the time in the beginning. And one more than the rest–what happens when I have gluten?…like what really happens.
So, this is the raw details of gluten exposure for the Celiac (that’s me!). And your final warning is to opt-out if you’re not ready for all the icky details that come with it.
Celiac or not, no one really wants to talk about what happens in the bathroom (or on the side of the street, or a plane, or—well, you get the point). But for those who genuinely want to know—whether for themselves, a family member, or a friend—this post is for you! I’m not sugarcoating anything. I’m walking you through exactly what my body does when I get glutened so you can compare, contrast, or just better understand what living with this looks like.
Quick disclaimer: I don’t cheat on the gluten-free lifestyle, but I also don’t hibernate from restaurants or social settings. While precautions and intentionality go into all situations, anytime you’re eating outside of a secure gluten-free area, there’s always a chance, not to mention my own fallible tendencies (like that one time I bought regular pasta).
Breaking Down Three Levels of Contamination and Exposure
Light Cross – Feeling off but manageable. Bloating, an unsettled stomach (rumblings), discomfort, headache, fatigue. At a mild level, I’m able to continue my daily activities.
Heavy Cross – Symptoms intensify. The discomfort turns into pain. My stomach churns, and my body starts reacting more aggressively. If the contamination is significant enough, it can escalate to full exposure symptoms. Very queasy.
Full Gluten Exposure – The worst-case scenario. This is when I’ve consumed actual gluten, not just trace amounts, and my body completely rejects it.
The Full Gluten Exposure Experience
Exposure activates anywhere between 45 minutes to three hours after eating, but most commonly around an hour.
After 12 years of being gluten-free, I’ve learned to recognize my body’s reactions well. Sometimes, it happens in unfamiliar settings where I wasn’t completely confident in the food preparation. Regardless, at the onset of symptoms, I will prepare for the worst outcome. If it is a whole reaction, then I have a very short window. Trying to make it home while getting sick is rough, but I also don’t want to be the person throwing up in a public restroom—though, unfortunately, it has happened. The moment I sense the first signs of exposure, I do my best to leave as quickly and discreetly as possible.
Let’s break down the physical reaction:
With the first signs, I become overheated, slightly dizzy, and tingly. My throat tightens and ignites my gag reflex. My vision blurs. My stomach starts to churn. I feel an impending loss of control over my body.
In case it wasn’t clear yet–my body CANNOT process gluten at all. It just can’t. Because of that, exposure = vomiting. Repeatedly. Until my body has expelled every trace of gluten, it can’t process.
Within 10–15 minutes, I’m either on the floor or in the bathroom, dealing with severe diarrhea and repeated episodes of vomiting. The experience leaves me weak, sweaty, and completely drained.
The gluten culprit will become apparent. How, you ask?? Let’s say I had a hamburger and fries. But those fries were cooked in the same oil as onion rings or had a seasoning (yes, this has happened). My body will process the hamburger just fine. But the fries? Gone. Every single fry will come back up. And not just once. I’ll keep vomiting until my body decides there’s nothing left to fight against. We’re talking four to six rounds of violent purging. And let’s not forget the other end—because, oh yeah, diarrhea is part of the package, too. Sometimes, I’m stuck alternating between the toilet and the floor, praying it ends soon.
There’s no way around it, either. I think it was maybe 8 years ago? But I wasn’t feeling well after eating a chocolate bar (we’ll bypass the fact that I had that near bedtime), and it ended poorly. I woke up in the middle of the night, projectile vomiting. TERRIBLE. Absolute disaster. I tend to nap on the bathroom floor rather than head to bed now if I’m feeling any potential illness. Celiac pro-tip, clean your bathrooms.
After gluten exposure, I’m completely drained. My body is weak. My skin is flushed. I’m sluggish, exhausted, and often dealing with a lingering headache—no strenuous exercise. The next few days are spent cautiously eating safe foods, trying to regain strength, and hoping my digestive system will forgive me.
Wrapping Up
I’ve had exposure to all types of situations and scenarios: restaurants, airports, and a cruise. Maybe you’re wondering, am I being that careful?? Gluten-free for 12 years and not sheltering from different events and gatherings means something may happen from time to time. Even with all the precautions, I’m still imperfect. Work trips, family vacations, etc., it’s bound to happen. I live and learn and don’t make the same mistakes next time.
Can you imagine if every time you ate a particular type of food, this would be the end result? Plus, the understanding that continued consumption leads to a slew of other complications down the road. Committing to the gluten-free lifestyle is just what I have to do.
If you’re living with Celiac or trying to support someone who is, I hope this gives you some insight into what it’s really like. And if you’re ever wondering why someone like me won’t “just take a bite,” now you know.
Stay safe, my gluten-free friends. Remember to keep those bathroom floors clean. And always check the fries.
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