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Back From 6 Weeks Backpacking gluten-free In Europe

The Glutenator

By The Glutenator
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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The Glutenator Contributor
The Glutenator
Posted

I have just returned from 6 weeks in Europe, and thought I would post my experiences about eating gluten free there. I was diagnosed with celiac about 3 months before the trip (while planning) which was a huge bummer, but I can say that I was able to truly enjoy seeing other parts of the world! I did get a little bitter at some points, particularly beer and schnitzel in Germany and pastries and crepes in Paris, but all in all I just tried to focus on what I was seeing and not what I was missing out on with the eating.

My trip was a lot different than some previous posts, because I was a single backpacking female, who was on a tight budget. This meant that I rarely went out to eat and relied on grocery stores for all my meals. I couldn

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lynnelise Apprentice
lynnelise
Posted

Your trip sounds amazing! I'm glad there were so many gluten-free resources available.

I have tried a few of the Schar products and they are very good. I wish we could get those croissants in the U.S. They sound heavenly!!!

Mack the Knife Explorer
Mack the Knife
Posted

Schar products are great. I survived on their bread rolls during my recent trip to Germany. And we can get their croissants in Australia and I love them!

TiffersAnn Apprentice
TiffersAnn
Posted

You make me want to travel back to Europe again. I too found that in alot of European countries it was easy to find gluten free foods. Like in spain all of their packaging labels had 'Sans Gluten' if it was gluten free. Many of the restaurants will also have a gluten free symbol in their window by the door. It's a tiny wheat stalk with a line crossing through it. I even found some gluten-free bakeries in Paris.

Soo glad to hear you had a fabulous time. I love hearing the Happy Stories from people. :D

GFphilly Newbie
GFphilly
Posted

You make me want to travel back to Europe again. I too found that in alot of European countries it was easy to find gluten free foods. Like in spain all of their packaging labels had 'Sans Gluten' if it was gluten free. Many of the restaurants will also have a gluten free symbol in their window by the door. It's a tiny wheat stalk with a line crossing through it. I even found some gluten-free bakeries in Paris.

Soo glad to hear you had a fabulous time. I love hearing the Happy Stories from people. :D

Hi! I am about to go to Paris in a few weeks for my honeymoon and I was wondering if you could share the names of the gluten-free bakeries you found there? I'm very nervous about being able to find "safe" food, so any recommendations you can give would be much appreciated!!

Mack the Knife Explorer
Mack the Knife
Posted

Hi! I am about to go to Paris in a few weeks for my honeymoon and I was wondering if you could share the names of the gluten-free bakeries you found there? I'm very nervous about being able to find "safe" food, so any recommendations you can give would be much appreciated!!

Make sure you check out this completely gluten free restaurant in Montmartre. I had a great meal there! Open Original Shared Link

The Glutenator Contributor
The Glutenator
Posted
  • Author

Wow, wish I had known about that place! I am sure I would have splurged once on my back-packer's budget!

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i-geek Rookie
i-geek
Posted

Ooh, now I'm sure that I want my next big trip to be to a European destination. Along with the success stories here, I've also heard very good things about Sweden and Norway as far as being celiac-friendly. Glad you had such a great time. Think I'll start planning now... :)

sb2178 Enthusiast
sb2178
Posted

Oh, yeah, don't know where you are, but I get Schar products in Boston and they are excellent if pricey. Not the criossants, though, must investigate. Mmmm...

YoloGx Rookie
YoloGx
Posted

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

Wish I could eat sugary, gluten-free floury, yeasty, lactose items but can't. I am betting you can buy basic food to cook yourself. My question is do they often offer that too as gluten-free fare in restaurants etc.?

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    • trents
      celiac, chocolate and alcohol

      By trents · Posted

      So, you had both and endoscopy with biopsy and a colonoscopy. That helps me understand what you were trying to communicate. No, no! It never occurred to me that you were trying to mislead me. It's just that we get a lot of posters on the forum who are misinformed about what celiac disease is and how it is diagnosed so I need some clarification from you which you were so gracious to give.
    • barb simkin
      celiac, chocolate and alcohol

      By barb simkin · Posted

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    • trents
      celiac, chocolate and alcohol

      By trents · Posted

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    • barb simkin
      celiac, chocolate and alcohol

      By barb simkin · Posted

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    • trents
      celiac, chocolate and alcohol

      By trents · Posted

      @barb simkin, are you sure the chocolate products are gluten-free and not "manufactured on equipment that also handles wheat products and tree nuts", i.e., cross-contamination? And what kind of alcoholic beverages are we talking about? Most beers are made from gluten-containing grains. Just checking.
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