Severe Anxiety - Upcoming Trip

[jasonD2]

Hi-

My trip to France is coming up in a few weeks and I've been having borderline panic attacks over where Im gonna eat and what I'm going to eat. My doctor put the fear of God in me and told me I must avoid gluten at all costs if im going to heal. I am also on a candida diet and have lost 5 lbs since i am not consuming any carbs or sugar. I am shipping food to my hotel for backup, but if it gets held up in customs then im screwed...i dont speak french, i dont know what restaurants to go to because there is no information on the web, ive written to various gluten intolerant people who have traveled/lived in France and i havent heard back from any of them, there are going to be lunch buffets everyday for my company meeting and im terrified about acting all weird with food in front of my colleagues and the people i havent even met yet, and I just feel like the focus of this entire trip will be what to eat when i should be having the time of my life. Im also worried about reversing all the progress i made on my candida diet since I wont have the luxury of preparing all of my own food. I could really use some suggestions

thank you

[ravenwoodglass]

I found a site where you can download free gluten free dining cards with basic phrases here it is:

Open Original Shared Link

I wouldn't ship food I would pack some basics that you can eat in your luggage. There will be stores there where you can pick up fresh produce and perhaps other stuff.

If your anxiety gets too severe you may want to ask your doctor for a short term script of an antianxiety med.

[jasonD2]

Thanks-

I will have to ship because the layover between my two flights is very short so I am going to have to carry on my luggage, & space for food will be limited

[Jestgar]

They transfer your checked bags. It doesn't matter how long the layover is.

I've traveled all over Europe and have never had a problem finding food. Prosciutto wrapped around cheese is a fabulous dinner.

[jasonD2]

its delta- last time i traveled abroad on delta they lost my bags both ways. i will have enough anxiety on this trip- i dont need to be on an 8 hr flight wondering if my bag is lost

and its not just gluten i have to worry about- cant do any dairy either

[kaki-clam]

its delta- last time i traveled abroad on delta they lost my bags both ways. i will have enough anxiety on this trip- i dont need to be on an 8 hr flight wondering if my bag is lost

and its not just gluten i have to worry about- cant do any dairy either

ok, i am having the worst day ever right now and just read your reply about delta...that made me laugh out loud because they lose my luggage every time i fly with them too!!! So thank you for that. I spent time in France a few years ago and although i had not yet been diagnosed with Celiac and wasn't worried about gluten i can tell you this. There are a lot of English speaking people there, they love to talk to American's so they can practice their English and everyone i interacted with was sooo nice, including the people who helped me with the anxiety attack i had at the top of Notre Dame. There are tons of delicious cheese and meats on every corner....farmer's markets in every town...not like the box stores of the US...but good fresh food that you can eat....you will be fine and have a great time in France, with or without your luggage!

[jasonD2]

Yes it was an absolute nightmare & I aint risking it again, so im packing light and carrying on my luggage and some food for the flight. I'm going to ship some "safe" food to my hotel this week but if that gets held up in customs then im screwed, so i may even check a box of food on the plane as well, but that will probably get lost

How do u know which meats are safe to eat? I cant do cheese

[Jestgar]

Gluten is much less prevalent in Europe. Choose food without sauces and you should be fine. Here, wheat is used as a cheap filler. In Europe you pay for everything, so no point in adding hidden wheat. If it looks gluten-free, it probably is (excluding packaged things, which I don't eat anywhere).

[kaki-clam]

Yes it was an absolute nightmare & I aint risking it again, so im packing light and carrying on my luggage and some food for the flight. I'm going to ship some "safe" food to my hotel this week but if that gets held up in customs then im screwed, so i may even check a box of food on the plane as well, but that will probably get lost

How do u know which meats are safe to eat? I cant do cheese

Get some of the space saver bags and pack your clothes in them, they make the kind where you fill them then squeeze the air out yourself..no vacuum needed....this way you will have more room for some snacks in your bag. French cooking is very clean, just stay away from sauces. Once you get there, it will be so beautiful you will forget your anxieties. Have a great trip, and don't forget women are allowed a purse on the plane, even a REALLY big one, so they can't tell men no purses...especially when they are filled with gluten free goodies!