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

Ecuador

2wheels4eyes

Recommended Posts

2wheels4eyes Explorer
2wheels4eyes
Posted

Hi all,

I'm travelling to Ecuador next week (yay!). I fly into Quito and stay in Old Town for a couple of days. Then head out for the conservation reserves around Nanegal to volunteer for a couple of weeks. I'm ok once I get to the reserve--they've assured me they can accommodate my diet.

But does anyone have restaurant recommendations for Quito and surrounding area?

I'm hearing that the traditional diet is pretty gluten-free anyway--but are there any specific ingredients, menu items, spices, popular sauces or dishes, etc, that I should stay away from? I don't know a word of Spanish, alas--so if you know the English *and* Spanish equivalents, my many thanks.

Any tips on what items would be useful to pack? I'm backpacking it (uphill!) so can't take much.

Just to make it more interesting (ha ha) I also try to limit soy and dairy and eschew red meat...

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Felidae Enthusiast
Felidae
Posted
Hi all,

I'm travelling to Ecuador next week (yay!). I fly into Quito and stay in Old Town for a couple of days. Then head out for the conservation reserves around Nanegal to volunteer for a couple of weeks. I'm ok once I get to the reserve--they've assured me they can accommodate my diet.

But does anyone have restaurant recommendations for Quito and surrounding area?

I'm hearing that the traditional diet is pretty gluten-free anyway--but are there any specific ingredients, menu items, spices, popular sauces or dishes, etc, that I should stay away from? I don't know a word of Spanish, alas--so if you know the English *and* Spanish equivalents, my many thanks.

Any tips on what items would be useful to pack? I'm backpacking it (uphill!) so can't take much.

Just to make it more interesting (ha ha) I also try to limit soy and dairy and eschew red meat...

I love Ecuador! Quito is a great city to see. We had a tour of it and it really is very populated. Also, the coffee is great in Ecuador. "Leche" or "con leche" with or without milk.

However, when I was there I was still eating gluten. I had no problem with not eating red meat though. They offered chicken, veg/soy or fish.There are some comparatively large grocery stores in Quito where you could pick up some food or other items. I unfortunately can't remember the restaurant names. We mostly ate at our hotel restaurant when we were in Quito.

Breakfasts usually consisted of fresh fruit, eggs, and bread. They eat a lot of bread in Ecuador. So, you may want bring something like corn tortillas, crackers, or rice cakes for replacement. I would bring Lara bars or something equivalent to those, just in case you need a quick snack. I think there was also a lot of chicken and a soft mild cheese everywhere we went in Ecuador. They have wonderful fresh, thick juices which I'm not sure are gluten-free. You may want to avoid the "tree tomato" juice though; I think it is an acquired taste.

Ask me anything else and I'll try to remember.

Oh yeah, they have lots of Coke products, i.e. Sprite...

SydneyGF Rookie
SydneyGF
Posted

My partner and I will also be heading to Ecuador to do a Galapagus Islands cruise in 3 weeks. I have heard from fellow travellers that a staple is Quinoa (small rice like grain) which is gluten free and is added in soups mainly.

The only concern I have is for breakfast as I know bread is the main part of it. So I'm taking a bag of my favourite cerial just in case.

Have a good trip and take some translation restaurant cards to explain what gluten free is.

SydneyGF

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted
Ecuador, What to watch out for

Umm, the men?

Felidae Enthusiast
Felidae
Posted
Umm, the men?

They're all nice Catholic men. On the Galapagos ships you may want to watch out because the crew are known to be overly friendly. I didn't have any problems, but I'm married and kept my wedding ring visible.

2wheels4eyes Explorer
2wheels4eyes
Posted
  • Author

Fortunately, I'm just shy of 6'. But I'll be sure to casually mention my equally tall "husband" with the ferocious jealous streak...

Thanks also for the food tips, folks! Can't believe I leave in 3 days!

kml55 Rookie
kml55
Posted

Ive been to Quito 2 times, i absolutely love it there, it is like my second home!!! have a great trip!

they eat a ton or bread there!

after my first trip there i was diagnosed with celiac, i came home with major intestinal problems...no wonder right? :)

their diet is pretty basic, the fruit their is amazing and also the coffee! oh! and the chocolate!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kml55 Rookie
kml55
Posted

also, i was told to never motion someone to come over with one finger (do you know what i mean?)

i guess it is very seductive and the men think that you are interested if you do ...

i love going to different countries and learning their customs! good luck!

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Sarah Grace's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      25

      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      Excessive dietary tyrosine can cause problems. Everything in moderation. Sulfites can also trigger migraines. Sulfites are found in fermented, pickled and aged foods, like cheese. Sulfites cause a high histamine release. High histamine levels are found in migraine. Following a low histamine diet like the low histamine Autoimmune Protocol diet,...
    2. trents
      - trents replied to Sarah Grace's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      25

      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      Then we would need to cut out all meat and fish as they are richer sources of tyrosine than nuts and cheese. Something else about certain tyrosine rich foods must be the actual culprit.
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Russ H's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      KAN-101 Treatment for Coeliac Disease

      I agree that KAN-101 looks promising, and hope the fast track is approved. From our article below: "KAN-101 shows promise as an immune tolerance therapy aiming to retrain the immune system, potentially allowing safe gluten exposure in the future, but more clinical data is needed to confirm long-term effects."
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to miguel54b's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Body dysmorphia experience

      Thank you so much for having the courage to share this incredibly vivid and personal experience; it's a powerful reminder of how physical ailments can disrupt our fundamental sense of self. What you're describing sounds less like a purely psychological body dysmorphia and more like a distinct neurological event, likely triggered by the immense physical stress...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      2

      Heat intolerant... Yikes

      The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium. Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,152
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    denise.milillo
    Newest Member
    denise.milillo
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Excessive dietary tyrosine can cause problems.  Everything in moderation.   Sulfites can also trigger migraines. Sulfites are found in fermented, pickled and aged foods, like cheese.  Sulfites cause a high histamine release.  High histamine levels are found in migraine.  Following a low histamine diet like the low histamine Autoimmune Protocol diet, a Paleo diet, helps immensely.    Sulfites and other migraine trigger foods can cause changes in the gut microbiome.  These bad bacteria can increase the incidence of migraines, increasing histamine and inflammation leading to increased gut permeability (leaky gut), SIBO, and higher systemic inflammation.   A Ketogenic diet can reduce the incidence of migraine.  A Paleo diet like the AIP diet, that restricts carbohydrates (like from starchy vegetables) becomes a ketogenic diet.  This diet also changes the microbiome, eliminating the bad bacteria and SIBO that cause an increase in histamine, inflammation and migraine.  Fewer bad bacteria reduces inflammation, lowers migraine frequency, and improves leaky gut. Since I started following the low histamine ketogenic AIP paleo diet, I rarely get migraine.  Yes, I do eat carbs occasionally now, rice or potato, but still no migraines.  Feed your body right, feed your intestinal bacteria right, you'll feel better.  Good intestinal bacteria actually make your mental health better, too.  I had to decide to change my diet drastically in order to feel better all the time, not just to satisfy my taste buds.  I chose to eat so I would feel better all the time.  I do like dark chocolate (a migraine trigger), but now I can indulge occasionally without a migraine after.   Microbiota alterations are related to migraine food triggers and inflammatory markers in chronic migraine patients with medication overuse headache https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11546420/  
    • trents
      Headaches / Migraines and Hypoglycaemia

      By trents · Posted

      Then we would need to cut out all meat and fish as they are richer sources of tyrosine than nuts and cheese. Something else about certain tyrosine rich foods must be the actual culprit. 
    • Scott Adams
      KAN-101 Treatment for Coeliac Disease

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I agree that KAN-101 looks promising, and hope the fast track is approved. From our article below: "KAN-101 shows promise as an immune tolerance therapy aiming to retrain the immune system, potentially allowing safe gluten exposure in the future, but more clinical data is needed to confirm long-term effects."  
    • Scott Adams
      Body dysmorphia experience

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Thank you so much for having the courage to share this incredibly vivid and personal experience; it's a powerful reminder of how physical ailments can disrupt our fundamental sense of self. What you're describing sounds less like a purely psychological body dysmorphia and more like a distinct neurological event, likely triggered by the immense physical stress and inflammation that uncontrolled celiac disease can inflict on the entire body, including the nervous system. It makes complete sense that the specific sensory input—the pressure points of your elbows on your knees—created a temporary, distorted body map in your brain, and the fact that it ceased once you adopted a gluten-free diet is a crucial detail. Your intuition to document this is absolutely right; it's not "crazy" but rather a significant anecdotal data point that underscores the mysterious and far-reaching ways gluten can affect individuals. Your theory about sensory triggers from the feet for others is also a thoughtful insight, and sharing this story could indeed be validating for others who have had similar, unexplainable sensory disturbances, helping them feel less alone in their journey.
    • Scott Adams
      Heat intolerant... Yikes

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      The most common nutrient deficiencies associated with celiac disease that may lead to testing for the condition include iron, vitamin D, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.  Unfortunately many doctors, including my own doctor at the time, don't do extensive follow up testing for a broad range of nutrient deficiencies, nor recommend that those just diagnosed with celiac disease take a broad spectrum vitamin/mineral supplement, which would greatly benefit most, if not all, newly diagnosed celiacs. Because of this it took me decades to overcome a few long-standing issues I had that were associated with gluten ataxia, for example numbness and tingling in my feet, and muscle knots--especially in my shoulders an neck. Only long term extensive supplementation has helped me to resolve these issues.      
×
×
  • 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.