First Trip Since Diagnosis

[Traveller]

Next week I fly to Foster City, CA for a week of business meetings. It's my first trip since getting the news that I have to stay gluten-free.

I used to pack up and head to the airport, grabbing any food I wanted on the way, eating at airports along the way, and enjoying breakfast buffets and all other meals wherever I wanted to go. I know those days are gone; so be it. I feel better now than I did then, and I want to keep feeling better.

I'd like some help with that. I don't know what to eat while airborne or where to eat when I arrive. So far my sole idea for flight is gluten-free snack bars. With a travel time of about eight hours, I know that I'll be hungry if that's all I eat. Does Midway airport in Chicago have any gluten-free food?

From Internet searches I've discovered that Foster City has an Outback and a Boston Market, and Unos Chicago Grill is only 70 miles away. Are there any other good places to go?

Finally, I called the Marriott and they said they could accomodate a gluten-free meal request. Does anyone have experience with Marriott?

This nooby thanks you all beforehand for the advice.

[happygirl]

www.triumphdining.com may help

Contact local support groups in that area for suggestions.

[Tica]

We came back from Denver via Chicago and my daughter was able to get a salad in the airport. They have to-go pre-packaged salads at a Chili's in the airport terminal. But there were other vendors that sold salads to go too. If you are not sure of their dressing you can check on the Chili's website or bring along the Kraft dressings in small to-go packs from the supermarket. Check with your airline, I think that you can bring liquids through security if they are less than 3 oz and sealed. double check though.

Good luck and happy traveling.

Tica

[GabbyMax]

Next week I fly to Foster City, CA for a week of business meetings. It's my first trip since getting the news that I have to stay gluten-free.

I used to pack up and head to the airport, grabbing any food I wanted on the way, eating at airports along the way, and enjoying breakfast buffets and all other meals wherever I wanted to go. I know those days are gone; so be it. I feel better now than I did then, and I want to keep feeling better.

I'd like some help with that. I don't know what to eat while airborne or where to eat when I arrive. So far my sole idea for flight is gluten-free snack bars. With a travel time of about eight hours, I know that I'll be hungry if that's all I eat. Does Midway airport in Chicago have any gluten-free food?

From Internet searches I've discovered that Foster City has an Outback and a Boston Market, and Unos Chicago Grill is only 70 miles away. Are there any other good places to go?

Finally, I called the Marriott and they said they could accomodate a gluten-free meal request. Does anyone have experience with Marriott?

This nooby thanks you all beforehand for the advice.

[GabbyMax]

Traveler, you are probably already in Foster City but I thought I would give this a shot! I was recently in the area and survived on Chipotle, P.F. Chang's, Buca di Beppo (they were great when I told them I had celiac disease - the chef prepared gluten free sauce for salmon and mixed my salad separately) and Whole Foods Market. I haven't had much luck with the Outback (have gotten glutened there twice). My daughter lives nearby, is also gluten intolerant, and loves Baja Fresh. Good luck!

[Traveller]

Thanks to everyone! My first gluten-free trip went....OK, I guess. The Marriott chef was knowledgable and I had no problem there. I did get glutened twice elseqhere. I got glutened while eating the "gluten free" menu items at Boston Market, and later the same day at Outback. However, the Outback manager seemed to contrite that I went back the next night, and was fine.

I also survived on Trader Joe's Gorilla Munch and gluten-free food bars.

A word about the flight back to the East Coast. I took Virgin Atlantic. One of the Buy-on-Board meals was fruit, cheese, and crackers. I figured being able to eat two out of three wasn't bad, and the crackers were separately wrapped. Food on board a flight -- what a unique concept!

When I return I'll try out Baja Fresh and PF Changs.

Thanks again to everyone. I appreciate the help and support.