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Anyone Gone On Vacation?

mbg98

By mbg98
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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mbg98 Contributor
mbg98
Posted

I am very newly diagnosed, going to see the dietition next week. However my husband and I have a vacation planned to Jamaica in 4 weeks, I am a little scared of bieng so new at this and having absolutly no control over and food there. Can anyone relate or help??

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jackie4 Apprentice
jackie4
Posted

Hi Mbg! I am in the same situation. My daughter was dx 4 weeks ago and about twoweeks before that we booked a trip to the Dominican Republic. I am so nervous because it isn't like vacationing in the US . I don't think that there are any supermarkets to run to. I am going to call the resort ( it is all inclusive so maybe there is one restaurant that will work) and ask them for a frig in our room. Then I am going to pack up the rice cakes, peanut butter, homemade muffins,salad dressing and cereal. the one good thing about going to the islands is that there is always fresh fruit and salads. hopefully it will work out better than our last vacation. We went down the shore and we thought liz had ulcers so I kept pushing bagels, pasta, and cereal bars on her thinking they were mild and wouldn't uspset her stomach. Now I know why she was sick the whole time. AHHH.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!!

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

Hello! Traveling can be hard, especially at first, but you'll be an expert before you know it :) Go here to see my traveling/vacation tips, and some others from a recent post. Good luck!

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StrongerToday Enthusiast
StrongerToday
Posted

I just got back from a week in Florida. I packed lots of different snack bars, nuts, dried fruits, Progresso soup in the microwave bowl (these were in both the carryon on for having at the airport and more in the suitcase in case I ran out). I also brought my own bread and a jar of cashew butter. We did eat out a few times and I did fine. Do you have the Dining Cards? Those are very helpful.

Oh, and I also went to the supermarket and bought a plain rotisserie chicken which i had for dinner and then made into chicken salad for the plane ride home.

Just plan and research - you'll do great!

jackie4 Apprentice
jackie4
Posted

What are the dining cards? I have heard about them but I am not sure what they are.

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

Jackie-

Dining cards are basically business card sized info sheets that give a description of Celiac, what can and can't be eaten. They can be helpful when dining out--esp at places that aren't so familiar with the gluten-free diet. I got mine from Living Without. Triumph also makes some a lot of folks like, and some others make their own or print off free from the internet.

McDougall Apprentice
McDougall
Posted
Jackie-

Dining cards are basically business card sized info sheets that give a description of Celiac, what can and can't be eaten. They can be helpful when dining out--esp at places that aren't so familiar with the gluten-free diet. I got mine from Living Without. Triumph also makes some a lot of folks like, and some others make their own or print off free from the internet.

I'd suggest bringing all your own food, except meats, veggies, fruits ect. Get a room with a kitchen to prepare your own food. I would not eat out. I don't think it is safe to eat out for celiacs, not in the usa and I doubt most places (maybe some countries like Britian but I'm only guessing) I work in resteraunts and have done most my life, to many hazards in a resteraunt in the usa I know that for a safe meal to be prepared.

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christa Contributor
christa
Posted

We went away for Christmas and I packed rice crackers, cereal bars, rice bread, waffles (even though they are supposed to be frozen they were fine for the flight and I refrigerated them as soon as I got there. My luggage got lost for two days so lucky I did have some in my carry on. I also brought a insulated lunch box with a little ice pack and put my lunches and snacks in there for days we went on day trips. Just froze the ice pack every night. I tried not to eat out. I did one day and felt crappy for the next two so it just wasn't worth it.

Lollie Enthusiast
Lollie
Posted

I don't know.......I was concerned about traveling and I posted, which Jenvan mentioned previous. I found it incredibly easy. I packed alot of my own food. Lara bars, my favorite nut thins, and dried nut and fruit mix. I had a frig put in the room. I bought yogurt and other parishibles once I arrived. I had the best vacation in 10 years. I always thought that I had ulcers, too, and would eat bagels, crackers, pasta, and finally nothing, because I was so sick. But this past vacation went so well, I ate out, I was very careful about what I ordered but it was feasable, and enjoyable. I would suggest sticking to fruits, vegies and baked or grilled meats! In Jamaica, I would think that here is a wide range of fresh fruit and vegies, and wonderful seafood. I went to the coast for my trip and I had baked fish and boiled shrimp the whole time, and loved it. I always ordered everything with out seasoning, and had no trouble. I don't know if I was just lucky or if being very careful in my ordering was the key (maybe a little of both)!

I think if you plan ahead and really think about what your ordering, you and you daughter will have a wonderful vacation!!!!!!!

Lollie

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