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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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    • marion wheaton
      Are Lindt chocolate balls gluten free?

      By marion wheaton · Posted

      Thanks for responding. I researched further and Lindt Lindor chocolate balls do contain barely malt powder which contains gluten. I was surprised at all of the conflicting information I found when I checked online.
    • trents
      Are Lindt chocolate balls gluten free?

      By trents · Posted

      @BlessedinBoston, it is possible that in Canada the product in question is formulated differently than in the USA or at least processed in in a facility that precludes cross contamination. I assume from your user name that you are in the USA. And it is also possible that the product meets the FDA requirement of not more than 20ppm of gluten but you are a super sensitive celiac for whom that standard is insufficient. 
    • BlessedinBoston
      Are Lindt chocolate balls gluten free?

      By BlessedinBoston · Posted

      No,Lindt is not gluten free no matter what they say on their website. I found out the hard way when I was newly diagnosed in 2000. At that time the Lindt truffles were just becoming popular and were only sold in small specialty shops at the mall. You couldn't buy them in any stores like today and I was obsessed with them 😁. Took me a while to get around to checking them and was heartbroken when I saw they were absolutely not gluten free 😔. Felt the same when I realized Twizzlers weren't either. Took me a while to get my diet on order after being diagnosed. I was diagnosed with small bowel non Hodgkins lymphoma at the same time. So it was a very stressful time to say the least. Hope this helps 😁.
    • knitty kitty
      My only proof

      By knitty kitty · Posted

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    • Jmartes71
      My only proof

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      I have been diagnosed with celiac in 1994, in remission not eating wheat and other foods not to consume  my household eats wheat.I have diagnosed sibo, hernia ibs, high blood pressure, menopause, chronic fatigue just to name a few oh yes and Barrett's esophagus which i forgot, I currently have bumps in back of my throat, one Dr stated we all have bumps in the back of our throat.Im in pain.Standford specialist really dismissed me and now im really in limbo and trying to get properly cared for.I found a new gi and new pcp but its still a mess and medical is making it look like im a disability chaser when Im actively not well I look and feel horrible and its adding anxiety and depression more so.Im angery my condition is affecting me and its being down played 
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