Traveling in India with Celiac Disease

[LovintheGFlife]

I recently had to travel to India for work, my first trip outside North America since my diagnosis three years ago. I stayed at the JW Marriott in Delhi and the Marriott Hotel in Indore (Central India). Initially, I was apprehensive regarding the availability of gluten-free (gluten-free) meals, not knowing what would be in store for me on this 10-day trip. To be frank, I was quite impressed with the level of awareness and knowledge among kitchen staff in these hotels. Upon explaining my condition to servers, I was greeted by restaurant managers and chefs who walked me through the options and described in detail the ingredients in their offerings. At every meal, they even offered to cook special gluten-free meals (outside of the buffet) with extra precautions taken to avoid cross-contamination. The diverse variety of foods and delicious options presented never failed to impress me. They even had gluten-free breads, naan, rotis, Western cakes, pastries and cookies at the buffet stored in covered trays with dedicated utensils. I had no clue that baked good made with millet or rice flour would be so delicious! With the wide variety of lentils and pulses available, one cannot go wrong. Thankfully, I did not experience any reaction during the entire 10-day trip. Suffice it to say that I have not experienced such hospitality, concern, and attention to detail on my travels in North America, where I have experienced mild to severe reaction to gluten several times after eating out.

Important to note: The awareness of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease does not exist among the general public on the streets in India. I am told that eating in any ordinary restaurant or hotel that is not a member of a multinational Western-owned chain (e.g. Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Radisson) may not be safe for celiacs. However, I had a great experience on the last trip and would certainly return to these hotels in a heartbeat.

[Scott Adams]

Thanks for sharing this and it's always great to hear about someone with celiac disease who has safe travels. I'm glad to hear that at least the hotels understand what it means to be gluten-free, and can cater to us!

[Guest]

That's amazing! It's great to hear how well they accommodated your dietary needs, especially in a new place. Thanks for sharing your positive experience!