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Traveling To The Uk

jmengert

By jmengert
in Traveling with Celiac Disease

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jmengert Enthusiast
jmengert
Posted

I'm hoping that those of you who live in England or have traveled there can help me. I'm going to London and Cornwall at the end of December for 14 days. I'll be staying at my boyfriend's father's house, so I will have a kitchen. I am one of the celiacs who doesn't ever eat out; I am micro-sensitive and for me, it's just not worth it. So, I'm wondering two things: how good is the quality of gluten-free foods in England? I see that Tesco and Marks and Spencers has gluten-free items in their stores; are they good about not having cross-contamination issues? If these products are marked gluten-free, are they, indeed, gluten-free?

And, flying: can I bring food into the country, if I check it? I'm thinking canned tuna, english muffins, cookies, Larabars, Enjoy Life stuff, pots, pans, anything that will help me out. And, can I bring a meal onto the plane to eat on my way over, or is that stuff prohibited with all of the bans? I don't want to starve on a 7 hour flight! I've emailed the TSA, and they never wrote me back.

Thank you for any help anyone can provide! This is my first trip overseas since diagnosis 2 years ago, and I'm quite nervous!

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Budew Rookie
Budew
Posted

Relax.

Mom and I (both celiac) did great.

I was surprised that I always found great veggies (steamed) at all of the resturants.

I'm vegetarian and celiac and had no trouble.

I found some great Thia Food, better than I ever have found in the US.

The fresh markets are wonderful too.

You can get info on what you can bring through customs on-line. It has been a few years so I don't know the exact website.

Have fun!

nikki-uk Enthusiast
nikki-uk
Posted
I'm hoping that those of you who live in England or have traveled there can help me. I'm going to London and Cornwall at the end of December for 14 days. I'll be staying at my boyfriend's father's house, so I will have a kitchen. I am one of the celiacs who doesn't ever eat out; I am micro-sensitive and for me, it's just not worth it. So, I'm wondering two things: how good is the quality of gluten-free foods in England? I see that Tesco and Marks and Spencers has gluten-free items in their stores; are they good about not having cross-contamination issues? If these products are marked gluten-free, are they, indeed, gluten-free?

And, flying: can I bring food into the country, if I check it? I'm thinking canned tuna, english muffins, cookies, Larabars, Enjoy Life stuff, pots, pans, anything that will help me out. And, can I bring a meal onto the plane to eat on my way over, or is that stuff prohibited with all of the bans? I don't want to starve on a 7 hour flight! I've emailed the TSA, and they never wrote me back.

Thank you for any help anyone can provide! This is my first trip overseas since diagnosis 2 years ago, and I'm quite nervous!

Hi jmengert,

I live in UK (near London)

As far as supermarkets go I can only say that both my husband and son have both been fine with food marked gluten-free from Tesco and M&S - not much help I know.

We don't eat out much either so I wouldn't be able to confidently recommend any restaurants :blink:

Sainsbury's is another supermarket that has a 'free from' items.

Also a lesser known supermarket is Aldi who clearly mark their foods as gluten-free .

Not sure about coming into UK on a flight.

I know that they are always more hot on any flights incoming and outgoing from USA.

Having said that I think it's only liquids that are a problem.

When we flew to Spain from the UK in the summer we took a load of food in our suitcase - but at the time we weren't allowed any handluggage :blink:

Sorry I can't be of more help - have a great trip!! :)

DILIROTH Newbie
DILIROTH
Posted

I had no problems eating items from Tesco or Sainsbury or any other gluten-free items from the UK but I am not extremely sensitive to small amounts of Gluten so I can not verify their contents. But, the bread products taste much better than the ones you find in the states.

I had little trouble eating out in London because the staff was usually knowledgable on Gluten and had recomendations, if they didnt allready offer gluten-free options on the menu. Again, I have to add that the Thai food was extremely excellent at every restaurant I have been to!!!

In regards to your packing you can bring SEALED gluten-free items with you but customs may have a problem with any animal products including caned tuna so I wouldnt recomend that. I dont think there is much consistency in enforcing the rules. I have snuck some unopened food items on the plane and they let me pass since I had my daughter with me.

Also, even if you requested a gluten-free meal on the plane - if its packaged - read the ingredients carefully! I have found non gluten-free items within my special meal and even after complaining I still keep getting the same items so I usually try to prepare ahead as much as possible b/c its a long flight to go without eating.

Have fun and enjoy your trip!!!

Theresa

georgie Enthusiast
georgie
Posted
Also, even if you requested a gluten-free meal on the plane - if its packaged - read the ingredients carefully! I have found non gluten-free items within my special meal and even after complaining I still keep getting the same items so I usually try to prepare ahead as much as possible b/c its a long flight to go without eating.

Oh no ! Its a 24 hour flight from Australia !!

I found this site today which you may find useful. Open Original Shared Link

I can't even begin to imagine what my next trip will be like :( ....

aikiducky Apprentice
aikiducky
Posted

I'm very very sensitive and I haven't had any problems with the gluten free products at Tesco or Sainsbury's.

Not very scientific I know but for what it's worth. :)

Dunno about long flights, from here to England is one hour so I usually eat before. :)

Pauliina

jmengert Enthusiast
jmengert
Posted
  • Author

Thank you all for your replies! That's a bummer about not being able to check unsealed foods; I usually bake a lot before I go somewhere, but it looks like I won't be able to do that. It's nice to hear that I can seemingly trust the gluten-free labels--you never know!

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  • 2 weeks later...
Sophiekins Rookie
Sophiekins
Posted

Hi Julie,

I'm supersensitive, but M&S gluten-free means gluten-free. . .you're good to go there. Tesco's own brand stuff is some of the best gluten-free food I've ever tasted - try their plain white bread. . .it is fab. It's easy to get stuff like canned tuna, etc. in the supermarkets - your larger supermarkets are the best bet for finding stuff that's gluten free. Anything branded DS will also be yummy and safe, and keep an eye out for Scotti rice pastas and instant risottos. . .tasty and mostly gluten-free (you have to check some of the risottos). Enjoy!

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