I’m glad I only found out that I have celiac after high school… it would’ve been hell to try to find food, then. But I’m now at college in NYC and it’s not perfect, but it’s easier. I can go in to delis and say “I’m allergic to wheat—can I have everything on that sandwich without the bread?” and they look at you kinda funny, but they do it.
Bonus: Sometimes they seem to feel worried that you’re not getting enough to eat so they’ll give you extra. ;)
But, yes, trying to explain gluten is horrendous. Even a hyped up vegan/vegetarian/organic grocery nearby that specifically mentions gluten on its deli’s signs, and stated that all I need do was ask someone at the counter what had gluten and they would tell me-!... even there I got blank looks.
