Estelle
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Hi all,
Normally I'd do a proper introduction as I'm a new member but I just don't have much time right now-promise to do that later. I'm hoping that you could help me with the following:
I live in Europe and fly to the US (Palo Alto, Ca) this sunday for two weeks for work (It's my 1st time in the States). I'm looking forwards to this! I'll be staying in an apartment where I can cook-this is where the problem comes in...I an intolerant to gluten and would like to know whether it is possible to buy gluten-free products in a "normal" supermarket? I'll be happy with bread and pasta really!
What about restaurants? Do they cater for celiacs at all?
I just discovered this website and I wish I had time to read through it all before I leave but I don't- so I'm hoping someone would give me a few handy tips and info.
Thanks in advance!!!
Traveling To Europe
in Traveling with Celiac Disease
Posted
Being Finnish myself and now living in the Netherlands, I have to say that Finland truely IS the paradise for celiacs-at least for myself!. Maybe the experiences differ but I'd call myself a bad case of a celiac and whenever I go home-I feel great. I am not saying this because I'm possibly biased but it's just a lot easier there. I have never had a painful experience in restaurants, although it could happen of course.Most restaurants announce the gluten-free meals on the menu and the selection in the supermarkets is quite impressive.
In the Netherlands, things aren't that bad either (I live in Amsterdam which might be an advantage). Belgium, however, is slightly more tricky ( I have lived there for a year as well) On many occasions my allergy got confused with vegetables (groente in flemish). I was in a restaurant in Antwerp last weekend where I asked if there was any gluten in the soup to which the waiter replied that there was absolutely no vegetables in my broccolisoup (made me wonder what it was made of...)
In general I think Europe is getting sightly better-Northern Europe gets thumbs up for sure from me. However, in many occasions in Central Europe,I feel that if a restaurant wants to earn their euros-this could turn out a sour (and painful) experience for you.
Gluten allergy is not very well known in Italy. Ironically, a lot of the gluten-free products I buy from my local store are produced in Italy (www.schaer.com) but I do not find the eating-out experience there that great. Every time I travel there ( I do travel a lot for work), it is a problem to find a good restaurant and most of the time I just end up eating a steak or salad to avoid the hassle. Italians do not understand how you can ignore their pasta- being half italian I understand their feelings completely )
The best bet is to find a health-food store, especially in the Netherlands. Supermarkets (such as Albert Heijn) here do sell some bread but it is not edible- it's truely disgusting, just like an old sponge). My all time favourite has become the german Schnitzer-bread, available in lots of varieties- toast it with cheese....MMMMMMMM) so the options are there, you'll just have to find them.
Best of luck in your travels-all of you. Take care you don't get sick as the implications can be serious in the long run so no cheating!!!!! I'm having a hard time coping with it but it's just not worth the misery as I'm sure you all know very well!