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Definitely Going To Get Glutened, How To Prepare?

MarkR555

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MarkR555 Rookie
MarkR555
Posted

Hi guys, I am a recentlyish diagnosed celiac (4-5 months now I think) that has been gluten free since then.

I am going to go on holiday to Thailand, and probably Cambodia and Vietnam over Christmas. I am not the sort of chap to stay in a nice hotel, I prefer a guesthouse and eating from street vendors (not as bad nor as dangerous as you'd think). However clearly I am going to struggle to find gluten free food and will inevitabley end up getting glutened probably during the whole trip. It's not a prospect that fills me with glee but I refuse to not travel to certain places because of food concerns.

I was wondering what you guys do when you get glutened and how you'd prepare knowing it will likely happen. So far for me I tend to get bad D for a day or two but that may have only been cross contamination, I don't think i've slipped up and eaten anything with a significant amount of gluten in yet.

What would you suggest I bring with me (I pack very light) in the likely event i'll end up glutened?

Thanks everyone :)

Mark

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Dixiebell Contributor
Dixiebell
Posted

I have heard of different people using tylenol and pepto bismol to help with symptoms.

These might help-

Open Original Shared Link

Emilushka Contributor
Emilushka
Posted

What are you allowed to bring into those countries?

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Can you bring stuff like gluten free nuts and protein bars with you and opt for stuff like fruit while there? You might also want to post a question on the 'international' section of the board. Better to do your best not to be glutened rather than just saying the heck with it I'll just be sick.

dilettantesteph Collaborator
dilettantesteph
Posted

I would suggest that you don't drink alcohol. It seems to make glutening worse. To bring with you, adult diapers. It humiliating wearing them, but not as bad as what will happen if you can't find a bathroom in time. Hopefully you won't need them, but you will have them if you do. I remember finding bathrooms can be challenging while traveling. Have a great trip.

Skylark Collaborator
Skylark
Posted

I'd pack Immodium and Pepto Bismol. They help me the most. I'd also eat a lot of rice and the wonderful tropical fruits that are available in that part of the world. Satay from the street vendors should be OK too and I bet you can find rice noodle soups. Thai food is mostly gluten-free when it's prepared traditionally. It's mostly in the US that soy sauce and oyster sauce is put in Thai food.

Have fun!

  • 2 weeks later...
sfamor Rookie
sfamor
Posted

Hi guys, I am a recentlyish diagnosed celiac (4-5 months now I think) that has been gluten free since then.

I am going to go on holiday to Thailand, and probably Cambodia and Vietnam over Christmas. I am not the sort of chap to stay in a nice hotel, I prefer a guesthouse and eating from street vendors (not as bad nor as dangerous as you'd think). However clearly I am going to struggle to find gluten free food and will inevitabley end up getting glutened probably during the whole trip. It's not a prospect that fills me with glee but I refuse to not travel to certain places because of food concerns.

I was wondering what you guys do when you get glutened and how you'd prepare knowing it will likely happen. So far for me I tend to get bad D for a day or two but that may have only been cross contamination, I don't think i've slipped up and eaten anything with a significant amount of gluten in yet.

What would you suggest I bring with me (I pack very light) in the likely event i'll end up glutened?

Thanks everyone :)

Mark

I'm going to Thailand in January and specifically picked it because of how EASY it seems like it will be to find foods to eat there. In the research I've done it seems the majority of Thai food is gluten free. Just gotta be careful of some of the sauces. It sounds like in the north they are more likely to use soy sauce because of the Chinese influence. I'm gonna bring an allergy card in Thai like this one: Open Original Shared Link They make them in many languages so I'm sure you can find an equivalent for Vietnam and Cambodia. When I was doing research I found this thread from a couple years back: Hope you have an awesome time!!!

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sfamor Rookie
sfamor
Posted

Another link that was helpful for me! Open Original Shared Link

MarkR555 Rookie
MarkR555
Posted
  • Author

Another link that was helpful for me! Open Original Shared Link

Thanks for your responses everyone. I am actually now going to spend the majority of my time in Vietnam now it seems. :)

sunnybabi1986 Contributor
sunnybabi1986
Posted

Strong mint tea and a warm heating pad always help my tummy feel better when I get glutened. But I don't get the D or C issues that other people have. Immodium/Pepto would be very useful, I imagine. I've always wanted to travel overseas but now that I can't have gluten, it's one of my biggest fears :( Total bummer! I really hope you figure things out and have a wonderful trip! :D

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