Gluten-Free Travel

Photo: CC--megoizzy

For a celiac traveler from the United States, New Zealand is a pleasure. Gluten awareness is widespread, there are GF food options virtually everywhere you go, and product labeling for allergens and gluten is typical. Because New Zealand is English-speaking, there is no problem communicating GF needs. And, of course, it’s summer there when it’s winter here and it’s beautiful.

Photo: CC--paulhami

The website GlutenFreeTravelSite.com has named Pennsylvania as the most celiac-friendly destination in the world.

Photo: CC - Unique Hotels Group

Eating out gluten-free is not as easy as it seems.  If you Google "gluten-free restaurants," your bound to find a selection of gluten-free menus and gluten-free yelp reviews.  However, a global definition for gluten-free does not exist in the restaurant world.

Photo courtesy of Maine Distilleries.

In order to protect the propriety of their products, distilleries can be reluctant to disclose process details. Yet their disclosure is crucial for those of us who are unable to consume gluten.  Recently, I investigated a potato vodka and gin distillery in Freeport, Maine where this is not the case.

Gluten-free travel to Disneyland just got easier! Photo: CC--Ross Hawkes

The folks at Disney are earning major kudos from people with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and other food allergies. That's because for more than a decade, Disney has worked to provide information and options for guests with food allergies.

The Brick Alley Pub in Newport, RI

A list of all the gluten-free restaurants and bakeries in Newport, RI. If you have ever traveled to Newport, RI then you know there are plenty of great restaurants to choose from. But if you have celiac disease or a gluten-intolerance then you know that dining out in an unfamiliar city is very difficult. Luckily, Newport has many gluten-free friendly restaurants that can easily be found if you know about them.

Gluten-free travel to Hawaii is possible! Photo: CC-Jordan Emery

While on vacation to Maui, Hawaii, the author shares her experience of traveling gluten-free while eating at family-friendly restaurants and glimpsing traditional island customs.

Photo: CC/joisyshowaa

This is the time of year when families take vacations and travel the world. Traveling can often be stressful even under normal circumstances; packing problems, flight delays, getting lost, are all possible when trying to get from point A to point B. So imagine how stressful it can be for a celiac or gluten-sensitive person to get ready for a big trip, especially to a location that doesn't cater to the gluten-free lifestyle.

Photo: CC/ lyng883

My husband and I recently returned from a trip to the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort in Nassau, Bahamas.  What a wonderful experience! The resort itself was beautiful but the people working there made the vacation special. Prior to our arrival, I contacted the General Manager, Jeremy Mutton, advising him of my dietary requirements.

Hole-In-The-Wall, The Abacos

This article summarizes a successful gluten-free trip in the Abacos!

gluten-free camping (photo courtesy of stevecadman)

The weather is getting warm and it's almost that time again-time to go camping! Camping is supposed to be relaxing and fun. Most people camp to escape the monotony of the daily rut, and to get back to the basics. Eating gluten-free while camping is really easy, once you know what to bring and what to avoid.

My hubby and I just returned from a wonderful 5 days in Florida’s Key West, and so I want to write about it  while it is fresh in my memory, for I think my experience may benefit others who are trying to stay gluten-free during a stay there.

I recently passed a milestone, upon reaching the first anniversary, since my celiac disease diagnosis.  There was no golden coin or award ceremony, but rather a sense of personal accomplishment.

In general, we noticed an abundance of gluten-free salads, soups, roasted meats and risottos in Rome and in all four towns we passed through along the Amalfi Coast. We found reliable delis and easy access to fresh fruit. When we asked, places that did not have gluten-free pasta showed a willingness to prepare any that you provided.

Any nourishment from our 10-hour flight from Chicago to Rome had long since faded. However, American Airlines had made good on its promise to provide Jeff with decent gluten-free meals.

I know how difficult it can be to dine out, even in our neighborhood in San Francisco. What could he possibly find that would be gluten-free in Italy? And, with the language barrier, how would we be able to easily communicate his needs?

While traveling you might have to dine in a small or moving restaurant. It could be a train, boat or just another small restaurant. Planning ahead to get a copy of their menu is your first step, this way you can sit and take your time to prepare your Chef Daniel P Restaurant Form, and slay the Gluten Monster!

In response to your comments, I wanted to write more on this topic. Gluten-free menus are good but not great. When going to a restaurant I expect great food and you should to. Learn with me and we will change the world so we can all not fear the Gluten Monster or the limited number of gluten-free menus.

With three growing boys I haven't been lucky enough to be able to visit other countries. It is my dream to go to restaurants around the world and teach them how to cook gluten-free, and to make gluten-free menus for us that are just as good as the original ones. Here I offer my untested thoughts on how I would travel to other countries and stay gluten-free.

No matter how much we might dread eating at restaurants, while traveling you have to eat out once in a while to pamper yourself. I am going to give you some pointers on tackling different restaurants and eating out gluten free. Even if the restaurant does have a gluten-free menu, you should be able to have more than only the five items that offer. With my help you are going to kill the "Gluten Monster.".