How The Hell Am I Supposed To Travel?

[jasonD2]

My friend wants to take a trip to South America w/ me and I would love to go, however, the amount of physical grief I would be in is just not worth it. Walking around constipated, bloated and having to urinate every 5 seconds...my god my life is ruined!!! ill never be able to do anything cause of this condition...ever!

[MySuicidalTurtle]

If you figure out the things causing your symptoms then you should be fine. Before I was diagnosed I didn't let being ill stop me. I still traveled, played sports, and went to school. Since you know what is making you ill it should be easier to fix. There are simple ways to maintaining this diet overseas, as well. When I went to Europe I did just fine! When in doubt, stick to fruit, veggies, and rice. Even if you have some issues, don't let it stop you! You deserve to travel even if you aren't feeling well and you can handle yourself.

You may also want to seek a therapist's help. When I first when gluten-free and my symptoms went away so suddenly I developed even worse anxiety about them coming back. Talking to a therapist helped immensely.

Good luck and I hope you do go with your friends!

[Nikki69]

Hi Jason,

I've only been diagnosed a month and still getting my head round it so can understand the grief you are going through. However, what all the others have said to you makes sense. It is something, in time, that can be controlled and you will feel better. Yes things are difficult right now and your life feels as though it will never be the same again because it has changed. It won't be the same but it will be better because you will become well again.

It doesn't have to stop you living your life whilst you are learning to adapt. Get as much advice as you can and stick to plain fresh foods whilst you are away. Yes it is boring, but only the food is a tad boring. The point is you will be away with your friend enjoying your trip so will be worth it

Hope you are doing ok, take care, Nikki

[ang1e0251]

I don't really know where you're traveling, but my husband is Colombian and I spent a couple of stints living there. They really eat very little flour which is probably why I felt so good while I was there. They eat corn cakes called arepas which I still eat and most of their meats are fried or boiled. No breading. Their diet is rather bland. No one bakes in the home. If baked goods are wanted, they go to a bakery. We ate very little baked goods in the home I lived in, which was typical of their diet. I believe it is similar to the diet in most of South America with regional variations, of course. And the other posters are right, just stick to safe foods when in doubt. Take some food for backup in your luggage like energy bars and canned meats that are safe.

You'll be fine. Don't panic, this is a big change but life goes on. You'll get the hang of it in no time. The biggest thing to learn is to overcome the fear and anxiety. Get some help with that if you need it.

[SLB5757]

I agree with the other posters. It is very difficult and at times debilitating. I have MULTIPLE food allergies and intolerances and like I was stuck unable to do anything social. The thing my father told me was " Stacy - you are going to feel crappy no matter what. You may as well be feel crappy and be doing the things you enjoy doing rather than feeling crappy and feeling sorry for yourself moping around at home".

I decided that I am going to have pain and bloating and distention and the big "c" no matter what I do because my many allergens. I have chosen to so everything that everyone else does even if it means I have to eat only rice or live on vitamins and ensure.

The more you stress and worry about the "cant's" - the worse it will all become. Focus on the positive things. if you can't find any positives - MAKE SOME. Start doing little things that make you happy or content and I promise you it acts almost as a magnet - you will attract more positive into your life. Like attracts like - and as soon as you change the mental - the physical is sure to follow (even if slowly).

Just do what you can to lessen your symptoms while away - be prepared - but definitely do NOT forgo the trip. You deserve to have fun. You will probably be having such a good time with your friend that your symptoms will naturally lessen.

[missy'smom]

Many people here have traveled oversees successfully including myself. It can be done. Planning ahead, doing your homework, having some understanding of the culture/lifestyle and food is helpful. Stick with the basics, meat, veg. and rice. Enjoy the unique local seasonal fruits and veg. Appreciate the change of pace, change of scenery etc.

[jjc]

I need to travel for work and I'm really nervous about it too. I'm going to have to do tons of calling beforehand - to the hotel and to the restaurants around it, so that I know how much food I need to bring with me!! That will be funny, at the airport having TSA open a huge suitcase full of gluten free food ...

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Pack things you can eat in your suitcase--pack minute rice, an immersion coil and electricity converter/adaptor, foil packs of chicken, salmon, tuna, whatever you feel your body can handle.

Arroz con Pollo is a dish in most restaurants--it's chicken and rice, and usually does not contain any wheat, soy sauce, flour, etc.

Print out the Triumph dining cards in Spanish and Portuguese, and show them to the restaurants when you order, if you and your friend don't speak the language.

[FMcGee]

I'm going to South America this summer, too, actually - to Ecuador. My boyfriend used to live there and will have been there for two months before I arrive, and he's going to do some scouting, so I'll let you know what he finds out here (if you're not going to Ecuador, I'm assuming there will still be more broadly-applicable information). He's assured me that they mostly eat rice with chicken or vegetables, and a lot of products are made with manioc and other gluten-free flours. Also, there is a lot of fruit (just peel it before you eat it), which can tide me over if needed. The best part is there is a lot less processed food there, so it's easy to eat healthy if you don't go nuts on cheese and whatnot. I spent some time in Costa Rica before being diagnosed, and felt freaking fabulous the whole time because I ate rice, beans, chicken, and fruit the whole time (a less-extreme version of the Hasslebeck experience?).

Also, if you're going to Brazil, you're going to be in a good place. A friend of mine has spent extensive time there and her stepmother has celiac disease, so she pays attention to things like that. Apparently Brazil (and Argentina, rumor has it) are aware of the disease and are pretty good about food labeling. If you don't speak Spanish or Portuguese, it's probably worth learning some of the vocabulary before you go.

Finally, I ordered some restaurant cards from Triumph. My boyfriend is fluent in Spanish and Quichua, but I still think it makes sense to have them in case I'm ever eating on my own or to ease a chef's mind about what I can have.

In other words, go on the trip! It'll be worth it, and you WILL be able to find things to eat. Just get vaccinated a month before you go, only drink boiled water, and pack nonperishable gluten-free snacks in case of emergency.

[mysecretcurse]

I'm also planning on doing a BIG backpacking adventure to south america at some point before I turn 30. Rock on.

I thought you might like to read this thread I posted when I got back from my last big adventure in South East Asia:

https://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/index.ph...ackpacking+asia

^Hopefully that gives you some hope. It's not always easy. But is it worth it? Hell YES. Don't let celiac stop you from living. Where there is a will, there's a way. It's cheesy but true!

[mattathayde]

ya i am worried about my first real travel since going gluten-free that i will be taking in aug. i really only care about not being sick the first 2 days then the rest of the week i dont care if i end up in the hospital but the 2nd day i am at this even is a competition that i need to be good for (and its the last time i can compete since i will be too old next time this event come around so i want to be able to give it my all)

the people putting this on only ask if you have an allergy to wheat so i am going to call and be annoying as we get closer to the even because if i get fed gluten i am going to flip out and be a rather pissy person (not as a side effect but because being that they are supposed to provide food that i am paying for they can give me food i can eat)

but for traveling abroad, a lot of food seems to be simpler and not all the random junk tossed in it. you can get a card in the local language(s) that explain your dietary restrictions so a waiter can help you. you might want to look up "GFRoadWarrior", he has a blog about traveling and eating gluten-free and you might get some tips/tricks/ideas

-matt