Our Dietary Choices - Should Others Cater To Us?

I recently read an article on an online news zine, Toronto Life Magazine, that really bothered me. Here is an excerpt:

Dear Urban Diplomat,
Last week we sent out e-vites for our son’s 10th birthday. The RSVPs started coming back, and in two cases, parents wrote “gluten-free preferred” in the space for allergies and dietary restrictions. What the heck is that? I’m not asking for preferences—I’m asking if their kid will keel over if he catches a whiff of chocolate icing or offend Allah by consuming non-Halal pepperoni. I’m disinclined to accommodate these requests, but my husband thinks we should, to avoid any social awkwardness. Am I out of line here, or are they?
—Let Them Eat Cake, Streetsville

Glutenphobia has joined lacto-ovo vegetarianism, kangatarianism and Edenism on the long list of abstemious dietary trends that make throwing a party as straightforward as hosting the G20 Summit. The key word is “preferred.” If there were a true celiac in the group—someone for whom the consumption of gluten results in violent diarrhea—the request would have been far more adamant. Still, are you prepared to upset the fragile ecosystem that is your son’s social circle on principle? Ordering a gluten-free pizza won’t kill you. A kid playing Twister with an explosive digestive system, on the other hand, can be a party killer, and fast.

I am really puzzled by this new Gluten Free movement, it seems that what has been solely the concern of those suffering Celiac disease is now a trendy diet fad that is being thrust about. Much as true Celiac sufferers are benefiting from this boom in gluten-free options, what most Gluten Free 'Fadists' seem to be avoiding is highly refined and processed wheat flour. I can certainly understand a desire to cut out the white 'candy' processed flours, grains, sugars, and additives, and it will make you feel better, but to suggest that a mother having a birthday party avoid flour in pizza, cake, and other food offerings, is going a bit far for those who do not have Celiac disease. There is a difference between an allergy or intolerance, and a preference.

It is not like a Vegan who chooses to give up all animal products for their own health. For instance, even though most people tend to have issues with cow's milk, with lactose intolerance a natural state developing as we age, since non-human milk is not meant for our consumption, and even human milk is meant for newborns, infants, and young children - even as old a 5 or 6 years. Many dairy products and eggs can be very hard on our digestive systems and are known allergens. Wheat has been a dietary staple since the dawn of man, and only since it has been highly refined and genetically altered is it causing problems for many people, particularly on a digestive level.

If you have chosen a dietary course for yourself, such as vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free as a preference, no matter how noble your intent, you cannot expect the world to cater to your whims. You can provide for yourself and your family, but to expect others to do so when it is not medically necessary is absurd. If it is a peanut allergy, or something with the risk of a violent allergic response, then by all means notify the parents throwing the party and find out if you can work with them to make it safe for your child without inconveniencing them. Gluten free preference is not an allergy or even a reasonable request to make, it's all or nothing -- if it is an allergy or Celiac child, a parent would be explicit.

I think as a parent, you need to advocate for your child's needs and preferences, where possible, but children still need to learn to manage in a world that doesn't always cater to their wants. They may prefer a chocolate cake to vanilla, but you wouldn't be that specific when you RSVP to a party, no one ever suffered PTSD as an adult for not having their favorite frosting on someone Else's birthday cake. Children are growing up with an overblown sense of entitlement, must we contribute to this by teaching them that everything should always be altered to suit their wishes?

Am I missing something? Is there more to the Gluten Free movement than I am aware of, is there something concrete (other than Celiac Disease), that requires that so many people are suddenly adopting this choice over a much more obvious decision to improve the way you feel by eating a wider variety or foods and reducing the amount of animal products and fats in the diet? If there is, please educate me, I need to understand whether this is a preference as opposed to a dietary restriction. Please comment if you have any sources or links to good information.