To ask how you cope with holidays and Coeliac disease?

[MelanieFrontage]

DH had just been diagnosed aged 55 and this is now a big challenge for us.
Are there any destinations that are easier to holiday in I.e. we love Italy but clearly our usual pasta and pizza meals are now out of the question.

Is Greece any easier or are there other European destinations that we should consider?

Self catering is a last resort for us but I guess that we may have to change our views now.

If anyone can share experiences that would be great. I am googling but real life experiences are much appreciated, it’s all so new to me, whoever knew that some stock cubes contain wheat, what a minefield!

Italy is generally excellent for gluten free including pizza and pasta etc. Spain is also very good.
It’s worth doing plenty of research before you go so that you can relax when you’re there.
The app “Find me Gluten Free” has reviews of restaurants from other people with Coeliac disease.
There’s plenty of Facebook groups with lots of recommendations.

I agree that Italy is actually pretty good at GF!

Spain is pretty obsessive with Coeliac actually there are a lot of sufferers there and LOADS of things are labeled Gluten free- coeliac.

glutenfreetravelblog.typepad.com/gluten_free_travel_blog/2016/04/guest-post-my-gluten-free-life-in-spain.html

Italy is actually one of the easiest in our experience: www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/family-holidays/gluten-free-holidays-coeliacs-advice/

Wherever you are, it is best to avoid the endless trek looking for a suitable menu, by googling in advance for 'gluten free restaurant'(in appropriate language)...it usually throws up some decent options.
Many cruise lines cater well for gluten-free diets.
The UK has got much better for coeliacs over the last 8 years as far as supermarkets are concerned and the internet is your friend again for chain and independent restaurants.

Thanks all, I can’t believe that Italy is a good gluten free destination, this is a game changer and I’m really grateful.

And Spain, my best friend lives in Spain so that’s good to know. Not for hubby who has already used his disease as an excuse to not visit 😂

If he wants to take gluten free foods with him, get a doctors letter confirming his diet and that allows 1 x 10kg free hold luggage for GF foods.

Chillicheese123 Spain is pretty obsessive with Coeliac actually there are a lot of sufferers there they have the same incidence rate as the UK.

Some All inclusive hotels are excellent regarding GF.

as above, spain is usually pretty good OP. I like Barcelona for this exact reason, so many GF option. GF products are often more clearly marked in supermarkets in SPain, and restaurants/spain in general in the cities have a very good awareness of coeliac disease as a legitimate illness. If you say "soy celiaca" or "celiaco for your DH when ordering this should cover it, look for "sin gluten" (without gluten) when buying products and “apto para celíacos” (suitable for coeliacs) on menu's/products.

Otherwise i get around it by always taking a weeks worth of things like GF snack bars or anything that can be kept in my bag and snacked on if i need to eat but can't find a suitable venue. Equally when we get there i always go to the supermarket and see what they have so there is a supply in the hotel room for me or the air b'n'b, it's only a problem if you don't manage your expectations.

As above i prefer to air b'n'b or self catering apartment as that makes it even easier to shop and eat breakfast or dinner at home if needed, which also saves a lot of money if you're budgeting. A load of GF bread some fruit, gluten free snack bars or chocolates get you through most things and then you can research when there for suitable restaurants.

The only place I have found it really hard as a coeliac is the USA. Italy has such a high incidence that they screen children at around 11 years of age.
French supermarkets have some really lovely GF stuff - I bring the crisp breads home. Spain - most of the cuisine is gluten free anyway. Holland was slightly challenging, I needed a special meal made and in one place it was beef, cauliflower and potatoes plain - I supposedly high restaurant.

I have coeliac disease and it’s never caused problems on holiday. We went to Greece last year and it was just a question of not ordering things wrapped in pastry (for example!). Loads of lovely fish / meat / cheese meals that were naturally gluten free. It’ll be fine OP.

Second Italy as perfect coeliac destination. It's been a legal requirement for much longer than here that gluten free is catered for and all food ingredients are labelled. Because theres pride in cooking and lost restaurants cook from scratch it's a kit easier than a country with more reliance on pre-made foods.
I once was staying in a remote village in the mountains and said I was coeliac. The lady running the restaurant made her grandmothers recipe chickpea bread for me - and told DH he wasnt allowed any- it was incredibly delicious.
I had some GF gnocchi in southern Italy that nearly made me cry it was so good.
Just learn the phrase " I am coaeliac" and "I cannot eat any wheat, barley etc" in whatever language you need so its crystal clear.

Oh and in Portugal (and I think Spain) McDonalds has a GF menu. First MaccyDs I've had in 20 years! it tasted exactly like I remember

I’m gluten free and have had no problems on holiday anywhere - just ask and if unsure stick to foods that are gf anyway
The only thing I take is a small supply of gf savoury biscuits for use instead of bread mainly with starters when eating out
My favourites are M n S date and walnut or apricot and cashew nut crisp breads

Self catering is the way to go in my book, unless you’re really sure about a particular restaurant. It’s no fun being ill on holiday or when you’re travelling home.

I cook some really nice meals, freeze them, pack them tightly in an insulated bag and pop them in the suitcase. Saves a lot of work at the other end. Things in cream sauces are good.

Spain is good for coeliacs in terms of product labelling. If you’re in a Mercadona supermarket they do some really nice gf crackers with rosemary for €1.50. You’ll find them with the normal ones. Lidl do some gf bread and chocolate muffins.

If you’re looking further afield I live in Australia and there all the major cities will easily cater to celiac diets. I have several friends that are celiac/gluten free and they have no trouble eating out. Also plenty of products in the supermarket and labelling is good.

European labelling regulations mean that gf foods are well known. You might struggle in Eastern Europe but Italy, France, Spain etc are easy.

Long haul India and Thailand are easy
He needs to avoid soy sauce in Chinese/Japanese food

USA and Canada are ok depending on where you are

The only place I have had difficulty is rural Germany, complicated by also not being able to eat red meat. We were in a bit of a limited situation. I generally bring some gf cereal bars for this eventuality. Lunches on the go are also slightly more challenging, but I find that in the UK too. Agree that Spain and Italy are great. I think it is because they screen all children for it so the diagnosed incidence is higher.

There are some great travel guides and tips on this blog - www.mygfguide.com/

Always take plenty of snacks. I think you can get cards printed in the language as well explaining the diet

On trip advisor when looking at restaurants or hotels you can search in the reviews for “gluten” or “coeliac” and it shows all reviews which mention those words. So good for finding relevant reviews.

We went to Mexico last year AI. Extra baggage allowance. Took plenty of snacks. Dd is also vegan so the combination is a nightmare and she pretty much lived on chips.

Wow thanks all, these responses are hugely helpful and have really put me at ease.
I’m feeling much calmer about this now!

You can also make things easier on yourself by taking a card in the language of the country you are heading to explaining his needs. Just in case their grasp of English is not perfect, and you do not speak the local language.

www.celiactravel.com/cards/

'Excellence' resorts in Mexico.
5* adults only, all inclusive.
Not the Cancun party scene Mexico. It's upmarket and lovely.

They're shit hot on allergies and ailments (every American there seems to have an 'intolerance' and they are super understanding and accomodating).

You tell them on booking.
They'll double check when you check in.

And at EVERY meal they will ask you about allergies and food issues.

They'll cook you 'off-menu' foods and you have your own sections (including own tongs, toasters etc) if you want the buffet style breakfirather than the a la carte option.