Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Panama

lcarter

Recommended Posts

lcarter Contributor
lcarter
Posted

We are living most of the year in PANAMA (in Panama City) now that we are retired. We visit the kids and grand babies in the US two times a year, Spring and Fall. It has been interesting living in a different culture and attempting to learn a new language, Spanish. Since I am gluten and dairy free, food also has caused some adjustments. The traditional Panamanian diet is based on rice, meat or fish, mostly roots or squash vegetables, and lots of tropical fruits. So, there's a lot that's safe here to eat. However, Panama is very much a melting pop of cultures from around the world because of the Canal, and so are the available foods and restaurants. The supermarkets, very similar to any of those in the US, carry quite a variety. But, I find I need to go to a number of different places to get what I need. I find that Ribba Smith (chain of stores all over town), and Super Kosher Deli (bottom floor of Multicentro Mall), and one small "health food" store in Paitilla called Organica, are the best places to shop for specialty items. I also, can find some things in El Rey and Super 99 (especially tapioca/yuca flour). There are NO gluten-free dedicated bakeries here, so if you want bread you will need to bake it yourself. Items come in by ship through the Canal, so at times there may be stretches when items are missing from the shelves. Plus, there is not the variety of flavors or bands that are available in the US. So, we pack very light when going to the US and plan to do lots of shopping to bring things back. Medical care here is excellent, and in some ways we are finding BETTER than what we experienced in the US...certainly a lot less expensive! There is much medical tourism because of this.

  • 3 years later...
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Shell156 Apprentice
Shell156
Posted

Hello!

I know it's been a very long time since you've posted, but I am a super sensitive celiac thinking of traveling to Panama. How did you find people in Panama were in regards to your allergy when eating out? Did you have problems explaining the dangers of cross-contamination?

Thank you so much for your help!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,733
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Debydear
    Newest Member
    Debydear
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Theresa2407
      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

      By Theresa2407 · Posted

      Maybe you have a low  intolerance to Wheat.   Rye, Barley and Malt are the gluten in Celiac disease.  It has always been stated Wheat and Gluten, not just a Wheat intolerance.  Barley will keep me in bed for (2) weeks.  Gut, Migrains, Brain fog, Diahrea.  It is miserable.  And when I was a toddler the doctor would give me a malt medicine because I always had Anemia and did not grow.  Boy was he off.  But at that time the US didn't know anyone about Celiac.  This was the 1940s and 50s.  I had my first episode at 9 months and did not get a diagnosis until I was 50.  My immune system was so shot before being diagnoised, so now I live with the consequences of it. I was so upset when Manufacturers didn't want to label their products so they added barley to the product.  It was mostly the cereal industry.  3 of my favorite cereals were excluded because of this. Malt gives me a bad Gut reaction.
    • Gigi2025
      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

      By Gigi2025 · Posted

      Thanks much Scott.  Well said, and heeded.   I don't have Celiac, which is fortunate.
    • Scott Adams
      Possible celiac - need advice

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Do you have the results of your endoscopy? Did you do a celiac disease blood panel before that?  Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:    
    • Scott Adams
      Celiac or not??

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It is odd that your Tissue Transglutaminase (TTG) IgA level has bounced from the "inconclusive" range (7.9, 9.8) down to a negative level (5.3), only to climb back up near the positive threshold. This inconsistency, coupled with your ongoing symptoms of malabsorption and specific nutrient deficiencies, is a strong clinical indicator that warrants a more thorough investigation than a simple "satisfactory" sign-off. A negative blood test does not definitively rule out celiac disease, especially with such variable numbers and a classic symptomatic picture. You are absolutely right to seek a second opinion and push for a referral to a gastroenterologist. A biopsy remains the gold standard for a reason, and advocating for one is the most direct path to getting the answers you need to finally address the root cause of your suffering. Here is more info about how to do a gluten challenge for a celiac disease blood panel, or for an endoscopy: and this recent study recommends 4-6 slices of wheat bread per day:    
    • Scott Adams
      How Come Gluten Didnt Bother Me In Italy

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      There is a distinction between gluten itself and the other chemicals and processing methods involved in modern food production. Your experience in Italy and Greece, contrasted with your reactions in the U.S., provides powerful anecdotal evidence that the problem, for some people, may not be the wheat, but the additives like potassium bromate and the industrial processing it undergoes here. The point about bromines displacing iodine and disrupting thyroid function is a significant one, explaining a potential biological mechanism for why such additives could cause systemic health issues that mimic gluten sensitivity. It's both alarming and insightful to consider that the very "watchdog" agencies meant to protect us are allowing practices banned in many other developed countries. Seeking out European flour and your caution about the high-carb, potentially diabeticgenic nature of many gluten-free products are excellent practical takeaways from your research, but I just want to mention--if you have celiac disease you need to avoid all wheat, including all wheat and gluten in Europe.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.