Melissa Courtney

Is there a diference between Celiac Disease and Celica Sprue Disease?

I will be traveling to Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. A couple people have said there are resteraunt cards written in other languages that you can show the chef so he/she is aware of your restrictions. Does anyone know where to find these?

Here are some free restaurant cards in different languages:

Open Original Shared Link

You can buy Triumph dining cards (google) that even have information as to particular concern in given cuisines, like the spice hing in Indian food.

Before you travel, check current security information. There is no ban on food per se, but -- at least the last time I traveled -- you couldn't bring drinks through security or anything that was like a gel. As far as other countries are concerned, check in travel books or the web what you can and cannot bring into a country. I think the rules are different for different countries. The biggest problem I would think would be anything that could have parasites, like fresh produce.

Many airlines do offer a gluten-free meal, assuming you are flying far enough to be fed. You have to let them know in advance.

When I travel later this year, I plan on taking quite a few fruit/seed/nut bars for times when the pickings are slim. Naturally, I have reservations on the airline that does not seem to have a gluten-free meal. But then I'm also intolerant to milk, egg, soy, & yeast and don't eat meat -- I don't think they will have a meal like that.

I haven't found any restaurant cards in other languages that cover multiple intolerances, so I don't know that I can use cards like the above. They always say "I can eat" this and that, and I can't My understanding is that Europe & Australia/New Zealand are much easier to eat gluten-free. You can always look for the celiac organization for any place you are visiting and see what resources they have.

Check out the travel forum here. People discuss particular countries, what food they like to bring, etc.

THANK YOU!

Dear Melissa,

I would recommend you stay in a Homestead Inn suite or other place that has a kitchen where you can make your own meals. Then you will not have to worry about cross contamination. There is a wide variety of items in the regular supermarket, and at Wal-Mart (which is found all over the world now). I was surprised about all that you can eat. Here is a beginner's list I have created:

1. There are a number of things in the regular grocery that are safe. Some things are labeled already. Wal-Mart's Great Value brand has numerous things you can eat.

2. For the love of God use Coupons on items you are allowed to eat. People can get them and print them out online even. Call some of the local stores and ask if they accept online coupons.

3. Check the ads online and in the newspaper. You would be surprised how many people do not do this.

4. Some items like rice flour and rice noodles are safe to buy at the Chinese or oriental market. The merchants are more than happy to help you if you cannot read the label.

Now, here is my list of great things to get you started:

Condiments:

Smart Balance Margerine

Crisco Shortening

Crisco Oil

Pompeiian Olive Oil

Great Value soy sauce

Heinz Ketchup

Lea & Perrins Worchestershire Sauce

Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce

Kraft French Fat-Free Salad Dressing

Kraft Thousand Island Fat-Free Salad Dressing

Pace Picante Sauce

Ortega Salsa

All Classico Red and White sauces

All Jif Peanut Butters including Smooth Sensations

Welch's Grape Jelly

Cool Whip

Philadelphia Cream Cheese

Miracle Whip

Daisy Sour Cream (fat-free, low-fat, regular)

Snack Foods:

Fritos

Tostitos

Lay's Original Potato Chips

Cool Ranch Doritos (Nacho cheese has gluten)

Act II Microwave Popcorn

Cheetos

3 Musketeers candy bars

Butterfinger candy bars

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Meat and Protein :

Eggs

Great Value Frozen Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

Extra Lean ground beef

Carl Buddig lunchmeats all are safe

Johnsonville Original Bratwursts

Kraft Cheese Shredded or sliced (Kraft is a great company, they never hide gluten in their labels. If it does not say wheat, barley, oats or rye, then it is not in there!)

Cereals:

Cocoa Pebbles

Fruity Pebbles

Dora The Explorer Cinnamon Stars

Seasonings:

Durkee Cinnamon-ground

Durkee Ginger-ground

Durkee Chili powder

Durkee Vanilla Extract (in fact, all of their liquid flavorings, food colorings, and extracts are g.f.)

Emeril's Essence - Asian, Italian

Ortega Taco Seasoning (In fact, since they are under a very strict labeling policy, all of their products are gluten free at this time)

Miscellaneous:

Ortega Taco Shells

Starkist or Great Value Tuna

Butter Buds

Great Value Soy Milk

Lettuce

Tomatoes

Apples

Pears

Carrots

(Fresh Produce in general)

Great Value Canned Fruits and Vegetables

Del Monte Canned Fruits and Vegetables

Ore Ida Tater Tots

Ore Ida French Fries

Hormel Chili

Hormel Spam

Hormel Turkey Spam (Oven Roasted or Smoked)

Hormel Vienna Sausages

Hormel Beef Au Jus Entrees

Hormel Pork Au Jus Entrees

Libby Vienna Sausages

I hope this helps a bit!

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

You're a life saver!!! Thank you so much. I am actually going to try shopping today. This is a huge help. I know anything "malted" is restricted, does that include "maltodextrin"?

Hi Melissa, welcome to the forum! Now take a real deep breath and exhale slowly

Now I can't help you with what you are or are not allowed on the planes. But if you are in Canada, you can get the restaruant cards through the Canadian Celiac Ass. They have a web site. Other sites have them that you can print off, I believe the Kinnikinnick web site has some. If you are in the U. S. they also have a National Celiac ass.

Many countries such as Great Britian, Finland, Sweden etc. are farther ahead than North America and have plenty of places to buy food and have gluten free menus in restaurants. Check out the International section of this forum.

I'm sure some of our world travelers will pop in and help you out more.

Hang in there, it does get better!

Thanks. I am still having problems navigating this site. I appreciate your reply.

Hello,

I was diagnosed less than 2 days ago. I have some good info but I have some travels coming up and plans to have dinner at friends houses, and I can't even figure out what to eat for lunch! I need some info on internantional travel... I heard something about "resteraunt cards" that you can show to a chef and they even come in different languages. Any idea on where to get these? What about travel restrictions? Do I need a leeter from an MD to bring food on a plane/ through a security check/ into another country. I think I am starting to panic and I am just 2 days in. Please help.

Melissa