7 Things Only Gluten-Free People Understand

Despite the trendiness of going gluten-free, only about 1 in 133 people truly have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Another small group have a condition doctors call "non-celiac gluten sensitivity" that can also produce symptoms.

In addition to the stomach trouble, joint pain, mood swings and other symptoms, people who don't eat gluten often also face seemingly-endless peeving comments like, "I could never give up bread!"

But dealing with both uncomfortable symptoms and uncomfortable situations has a silver lining: There are certain lessons learned by only those who eat gluten-free. We asked our Twitter followers and Facebook fans to share some of those truths with us. Here are a few of our favorites.

If you're gluten-free, you know...

1. That there are so many other yummy, yummy alternatives! --Tara Francy Brown

2. That the people serving, selling and distributing your food really have no clue how it is made, and what is in it. --Dylan Armstrong

3. Processed foods have taken over. --Optamus Primel

4. How much gluten can affect both physical and mental wellbeing. --Laura B. Russell

5. Gluten is hidden in soy sauce, beer, some mocha powders in coffee shops and many salad dressings. --Elizabeth Paul

6. How good you feel without it!! --@FayeWoodhead

7. That's there's tons of food that I can eat. --Debbie Cronrath Hassel

What would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!