How to Travel in Group with Celiac Disease?

[HMB11]

Hey everyone, I am a student studying abroad this summer for abroad a month. I'll be in Italy, Germany, and England for about a month total. The only thing I am a bit worried about is eating gluten-free. I have pretty bad celiac disease, and I am just not sure what to expect. I bought a card that you can give to waiters that explains what celiac is in different languages, and have been viewing some blogs on safe restaurants to eat. But as I am traveling in a group, I do not know if I will have the choice of where I will be able to eat. We are also staying in hostels that have free breakfast, though I do not think that they will have any gluten-free options. 

Does anyone have any advice on how to eat gluten-free overseas with a group? Do you think I could buy food from a market-  I doubt I would have any place to store or cook it. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

[Wheatwacked]

What an opportunity for you! This is a search of "gluten free in Europe" on Celiac.com.  https://www.celiac.com/search/?&q=gluten free in europe&quick=1&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy

This article may help.  

 

[Scott Adams]

I think it would be wise for you to bring a good supply of gluten-free bars just in case, and you may want to consider taking GliadinX (a sponsor here, AN-PEP enzymes have been shown in several studies to break down small amounts of gluten in the stomach, like you might get with cross contamination). Since you’ll be eating out a lot it’s a good idea to be prepared, and assume any meal might not be 100% safe.

[Maddie6332]

On 4/29/2022 at 4:54 PM, HMB11 said:

Hey everyone, I am a student studying abroad this summer for abroad a month. I'll be in Italy, Germany, and England for about a month total. The only thing I am a bit worried about is eating gluten-free. I have pretty bad celiac disease, and I am just not sure what to expect. I bought a card that you can give to waiters that explains what celiac is in different languages, and have been viewing some blogs on safe restaurants to eat. But as I am traveling in a group, I do not know if I will have the choice of where I will be able to eat. We are also staying in hostels that have free breakfast, though I do not think that they will have any gluten-free options. 

Does anyone have any advice on how to eat gluten-free overseas with a group? Do you think I could buy food from a market-  I doubt I would have any place to store or cook it. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

This has happened to me many times.I would recommend going for the things you know that are safe. For example, fruit, eggs,meat with no breading or anything, just plain like sausage or bacon. I hope this helps you!  

[Maddie6332]

Good Luck!