you don’t look sick!
“You Don’t Look Sick”: What Living with Celiac Feels Like (When People Don’t Get It)
If I had a dollar for every time someone said, “But you don’t look sick,” I could probably afford all the overpriced gluten-free bread in the world. (Okay, maybe not all of it, but at least a few loaves.)
Here’s the thing: celiac disease isn’t always visible—but it’s very, very real.
🤷♀️ The Myth of “Looking Sick”
Celiac is an autoimmune disease. That means my body treats gluten like an intruder, and in the process of defending me, it kind of... attacks itself. Sounds dramatic? That’s because it is.
But the damage? It’s internal. Microscopic. Invisible to you.
You won’t see my inflamed small intestine, my bone pain, or the days I spend exhausted because my body is nutrient-depleted. What you might see is me passing on cake at a party or asking a million questions at a restaurant—and trust me, I’m not doing that for fun.
😬 The Invisible Symptoms (That Hit Hard)
Let’s talk symptoms—because they’re not always about stomachaches. Here are just a few of the ones I deal with (or have in the past):
Brain fog (like, “Why did I put my phone in the fridge?” fog)
Crushing fatigue
Mood swings and anxiety
Joint pain
Skin rashes
Vitamin deficiencies (goodbye, iron and B12)
Oh—and yes, sometimes, extreme GI distress
And that’s if I get glutened once. Not every symptom hits every time, but when they do? It’s not a mild inconvenience. It’s my week derailed.
🥖 The Social Minefield
“You’re so picky.”
“Can’t you just have a little?”
“Is this a real allergy or just a preference?”
Look, I get it. Gluten-free diets became trendy, and that blurred the lines. But for those of us with celiac, this isn’t a lifestyle—it’s a life sentence. One breadcrumb literally hurts me.
I’ve skipped weddings, canceled dates, and packed full meals to restaurants just to stay safe. Not because I want to be “extra”—because I have to be.
💬 What I Wish People Knew
Yes, I can look totally fine—and still feel awful.
Celiac isn’t a sensitivity. It’s an autoimmune condition.
Cross-contamination matters. A crumb can cause damage.
I miss “normal” food too. A lot.
Support means everything. Even just asking, “Is this safe for you?” makes a huge difference.
💚 Let’s Redefine What Sick Looks Like
Chronic illness doesn’t always come with crutches or casts. Sometimes, it comes with silent pain, hidden exhaustion, and a whole lot of label reading. And yes, it comes with gluten-free cake that I baked myself, thankyouverymuch.
So the next time you hear someone say, “But you don’t look sick,” remember: not all illnesses wear a sign. And for those of us with celiac, awareness = validation = everything.
Have you ever been told you “don’t look sick”? Share your story in the comments or tag me on Instagram @ifitsglutenfreeitsforme—let’s show the world what real, invisible strength looks like. 💪✨